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To the Editor:
The cowardice seen in the video of the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, is breathtaking, disgusting and unbelievable. Knowing that young kids and teachers are being shot to death and are dying, how can any police officer stand back or run away?
In my nearly 30 years in the NYPD I never saw anything like that kind of timidity and gutlessness — and, unless the Emergency Service Unit or the Hostage Negotiating Unit was
available, we cops only had handguns and were sometimes facing shotguns and automatic weapons.
What should the cops at the school have done? It’s not that complicated. Distract the shooter and go in and take him out. Have someone throw a rock into a window from outside or fire a shot into the air and immediately move in and start firing. It’s not so much about bravery and heroism. You are a cop, that’s your job, and you do it. If you are not willing to take the necessary risks to save lives, don’t become a police officer.
Michael J. Gorman
Editor’s note: Gorman is a retired NYPD lieutenant.
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