Commitment to Safety

I am inspired by the sorrow the community is showing for Oxnard Police Detective Jim O’Brien. It is appropriate. Jim died for them, just like Jim worked for them. Jim’s not a hero because he died; Jim’s a hero because of the work he did when he was alive. He cared, he tried to make a difference, he did make a difference. He sacrificed his heart, his soul and ultimately life for the community. Jim did this so that they could live the good life.

I’ve read and heard many people quoted as saying “things like this don’t happen here.” These people are naive. Senseless violence occurs here every day; people are shot in this city every week. This was the third Oxnard police officer-involved shooting in the past eight weeks. That represents about 20 Oxnard and Port Hueneme officers who join the many before them who have to live with the trauma of killing another human being, the trauma and horror of having someone try to kill them.

Police officers don’t do what they do for prestige. They do it because they are committed to making the community safe. Committed to being the one to stop those who steal, rob, prey on the weak and even kill. Committed doesn’t mean just talking about it, or complaining about it. It means doing it. It means living it. They are not afraid to “take the point” and risk it all; they’ve made that commitment.

Jim “took the point” and did it proudly. God bless you, Jim O’Brien.

MIKE MATLOCK

Oxnard Police Department

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