I am ashamed that I did not get to this sooner.  I must give thoughts and prayers to the four officers killed in Oakland this week, and to their families.  I will not take space discussing the issues in play here; there are many, and they are complex.

For now, let us all think about their families as the funeral takes place Friday afternoon.  For those many readers of this blog who are cops, or who are spending their lives with cops, please please please remember that Police Academy cliche’:

There is no such thing as a routine traffic stop.  Ever.

Rest in peace.