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Rob, One police officer wounded, When you wound one of your BROTHERS, I don't need to be a rocket scientist to not have ANY IDEA on what is going on.When you shoot at a policeman, the benefit of the doubt is no longer an option.

The brave men and women who serve that we may sit safe and sound are treated like the proverbial red-headed step child when they return.

The real question is, will he still get his pension and have his benefits paid for, for the rest of his life? or just a slap on the wrist ? Would like to see how this one plays out.

@ shameful, I couldn't agree more with most of your sentiments. However, once this "cop" began shooting at his "brothers and sisters" in blue, he ceased to be a police officer and became a dirt bag that came prepared with a gas mask and a bullet proof vest to shoot at the husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and friends that comprised the brave officers that responded from thirteen different police departments. Police are proudly willing to go toward gun fire, while others flea, even if the target of that gunfire is the same jerk who may have spit on them the day before. Imagine the hail of gunfire and grenades they'd jump on for each other. This guy broke a sacred trust amongst cops, that they'd risk it ALL for each other. How dare he shoot at the police. Former cop and veteran or not!!! Jerry's right about one thing he certainly does not deserve a police pension.

That 90% you say works without contacts which many of them work for min.wage. Who do you think made min wage happen??? Unions. How do you think people got sick leave? Vacation time? Health Care..YOU can thank Unions for that. I was brought up to respect the following, Police, Firemen, Teachers..All of which belong to a union.

What about the men and women Police Officrrs that go to work everyday without a contract for years and continue to do their job regardless

"It's terrible how police officers treat the general, law-abiding public on a daily basis. Arrogance, entitlement, nastiness...the only people they seem to be nice to are the bad guys who challenge them."

The above statement, which, was written in another post is terrible. Most police interaction occurs when they stop you, which means they have seen you do something wrong... so this is already a confrontational environment, and yet most officers manage it in a calm, professional manner. They are not overly nice, nor are they mean. They are standing on the side of a road, outside of their car, on your turf! They have no idea who you are or what you are capable of... forgive them for seeming a little defensive. Now let me state, that unless given a reason, no officer should be disrespectful and it is a shame if one is/when they are. If, however, they are given a reason to be nasty, then they should be. And on a side note, you stated that it's terrible how the police treat the law-abiding public. Most times, if you are completely abiding by the law, the police don't treat you in any way, as they do not stop you, it is when you are not abiding.

Hookerman, If one of your family members was killed by a drunk driver,the first thing out of your mouth would be WHY DIDN'T THE COPS HAVE A DUI CHECKPOINT ? If you are not breaking any laws and not weaving in and out of traffic or just driving like an idiot.you will not get pulled over.Police have enough of a hard time dealing with idiots. And by all the accidents in this town,we certainly have our share of them.

What about DUI check points? And, the sentence, "Most times, if you are completely abiding by the law, the police don't treat you in any way, as they do not stop you, it is when you are not abiding," starts with the word most, which leaves a grey area, otherwise the sentence would have started with, "All of the time..." so, consider DUI checkpoints an exception, part of the grey.

Kudos to Richard. I would also like to add that someone who has to deal with a Police Officer has NO idea what call they just came off of. They could have must finished a call where someone died a fellow officer got hurt etc so if you abide by the rules of the law you will never have to deal with a Police Officer becauae in most cases people who disobey the law and feel they are entitled becauae they are a US citizen pisses them off!

I NOSE alot of police officers.Having talked to alot of them ,this subject comes up all the time. If you show them RESPECT, they will RESPECT you in return. If you don't. You get a FREE ride to the police station and a FREE phone call if you have broken the law. That is all, and nobody gets peed off.

Glad to hear that this tragedy did not result in fatalities. First responders need to be trained in how to deal with a veteran in these situations much like they are given special training to deal with victims of certain types of sexual assaults.

With all due respect to officers, is their life any more valuable than mine? Is it more disrespectful to kill a vet or an officer? I would venture to guess that my children would say a resounding NO if it were my husband or I in a box. I get the serve and protect notion but it is chosen field. Every life is just as valuable.

@ Hookerman, I guess that falls in as well. I don't live in NYC, so I don't care if they stop and frisk anyone there. I commute to the city often, however, and I have yet to be stopped or frisked at any time, so the NYPD can stop and frisk all they want.

@Stacie, you misunderstand my comment. A soldier or a police officer begins his task each day knowing that his job is to protect and serve and potentially give his life for yours, that of your children or your husband. The reality of war, however, have taught skills and reactions which first responders must recognize so as not to escalate a volatile situation.

All, if you read todays paper or watch the news,this man was a great policeman and a gulf war veteran. He had kids and was recently divorced from his wife, Unfortunely all the stress came together an he snapped. Don't see how Clifton PD did not see this coming but some people hide these things and everyonr thinks everything is ok. Glad to see know one was seriously hurt.Can only hope and pray for his family. He's been thru hell and back.

This is ridiculous. Mike, if that's what you got out of what I said, why don't you go have a good, long exhausting chat with FL. I am nothing but respectful but have no patience for people like you or him. My 10 year provides more engaging dialogue.

And I should care why? It doesnt matter if you just split an atom. Books don't make smart people Mike and you just proved that. And I never back off. I think you're just trying to get my goat so I will entertain you?

I haven't heard a scientist use the word "dis" in quite sometime.

JC,LIGHTING UP!! I was making a joke not a threat!! I don't make threats, like to kid around here because people like you take everything THREATING!! Was just kidding with Mike to ,but I think he understands that. Everybody needs to SMILE, makes people wonder what you are up to !!

THANK YOU RUSS!! I thought Wayne Patch only had posts by Wayne and local residents only. I try to be HUMOROUS, just like my posts. Sorry if I offend anyone, But people need to lighten up and don't take things so seriously. Remind me anytime I get alittle out of control. Just try to make a bad day better, THANKS !!

Stacie, no one is saying more the lives are more valuable. It is the sacrifice that is "valuable" a Police Officer is one of the only people in the entire world that would actually lay his life down for you. Not only you, but even a scum bag criminal who may have even spit at the very same cop the day before. All it takes is a call for help and that officer runs towards gunfire and whatever else to save ANYONE who is in trouble. That is remarkable and it is that sacrifice that we honor when they are killed. These officers risk it ALL, their spouses, parents, and children suffer the consequences so yours don't have to. And before you or anyone else says it, no its not what they're paid to do. They are paid to enforce the laws and keep order NOT to get killed. Nobody is PAID to die! But, risk it all they will, for ANYONE. That deserves a certain amount of respect from society. Sorry if it bothers you when people show that respect for that level of bravery and sacrifice!

@ who is john galt - VERY WELL SAID!!!!! People just don't give a damn unril they need a Cop

Hey everyone,
Thanks for the lively discussion. Let's keep personal attacks, name calling, and profanity off this thread, please. If the discussion continues to go off-topic or violates our terms and conditions, we'll have to close the comments section.
Thanks!

Sorry Jason if I offended anyone. Had a conversation with Russ from Patch (see earlier post) Some people (shameful) get a little carried away sometimes.BAD BOY !!

Jason,
Being it is a sensitive are and the clifton officer does have family and relatives, perhaps the site should come down. I think there has been enough said!

Hookerman, what are you talking about!?!? I think this guy is the worst type of scum. He is a traitor, who tried to kill the very people who would have DIED for him. He should rot under the jail. I am most certainly NOT defending him!!!

Okay, so if a person has been overseas, killed who knows how many, not seen his family for months, possibly inhaled trace amounts of poisonus substances, and constantly worried that his Pepsi is about
to explode, WHY is he a police officer. Once your'e a vet, the Governmrnt should allow you to retire. And pay fot it.

Brad Not, You are definitely not as smart as you think you are.

Patch Editors ... don't you think its about time to shut this comments section down and move on to something else? Clearly those that insist on babbling has caused the dialogue to deterioriate beyond any useful or interesting purpose. Thanks.

All you crybabies need to stop whining!

Like it or leave it, Police Officers are agressive in general, it is a trait that helps them perform a job most people take for granted (and one most people could not REASONABLY do). Only the most oblivious person would neglect to notice that officers look out for each other (New Jersey is the gaudy-gold-shield-in-the-winshield capital of the world). The biggest problems people have with the police are those with a "God complex". It's true the old saying: "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely". While many officers are some of the most caring people in the world, "one bad apple spoils the bunch". When you are backed by the thin blue line of fellow officers, the courts, the prosecutor, the unions and imesureable amounts of tax income, it becomes easy to forget that you are not above the law.

You can bash my thoughts all you want, but before you do, answer the following question: "If an office worker is verbally wreckless towards a client he or she is held accountable, where is the same oversight within a police enviornment?"

"I'll promise to avoid being offended by your closed mind if you promise to avoid being offended by my open one" --Gen Pulaski

"It's nice to be important, but it's important to be nice" --Hal Jackson

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