Deputy Also Was a Victim
Your article referring to the shooting of an ex-Glendale High School football player by a Los Angeles County deputy sheriff (“Ex-High School Star Dies in Alleged Robbery,” Nov. 14) is one-sided.
The suspect, Shawn Cole, decided to commit the robbery. You picture Cole as a youth who had his share of problems in life, such as poor grades and being suspended from the football team--none of which justifies committing robbery. Cole was not the real victim. The victim was Deputy Carr. The taking of a life is never an easy decision. You fail to mention the mental, physical and emotional stress that a shooting places on a law enforcement officer. This incident may affect Deputy Carr for the rest of his career with the Sheriff’s Department, and quite possibly the rest of his life.
Portraying the facts accurately would help society understand the reasoning behind such a decision.
PAUL P. DINO
Chatsworth
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