It is truly tragic that anyone ever suffers through deliberate violence. It is also sad that public servants may be murdered in the line of duty. Life is short; we should let each other have as much time as we can fairly squeeze in.

That said, I have two thoughts about the recent murder of a Bernalillo County Sheriff’s deputy, beyond my sincere sympathy for him, his family and friends and our community. Two thoughts I don’t expect to see expressed anywhere else.

One: look again at the militarization of the police. Look at the photos of a “cop” dressed in full military gear, holding a machine gun and standing on some amazing armored vehicle while helicopter gunships circle overhead. Is this the East Mountains or Baghdad?

Second: what leads a man from petty crime at 14 to multiple murders before 30? While we buzz about his rap sheet, can we talk about what makes people turn into killers? Almost anywhere you ask this question you will be hooted at for your bleeding heart. I think it is a very practical question: how do we avoid repeating this? The answer can’t just be more military hand-me-downs. mjh