The Axiom Of Realistic Expectations
Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior
By Having Realistic Expectations
For Themselves, Their Lives, And Others

Last Sunday in Lakewood, Washington, four police officers sitting in a coffee shop were gunned down in cold blood. The victims were: "Sgt. Mark Renninger, 39; Officer Ronald Owens, 37; Officer Tina Griswold, 40; and Officer Greg Richards, 42." ("Police: Suspect Dead; Had Slain Cop's Gun") They each had at least eight years of law enforcement experience. "All of them were parents."

Thankfully, after an immense manhunt, Maurice Clemmons, 37, the man responsible for the killings, was finally found on Tuesday morning near a "parked stolen car that was unoccupied but running" by a "seven-year veteran" police officer. When Clemmons would not show his hands to the officer and "started to run around the car," the officer was forced to protect himself, shooting and killing Clemmons.

On the surface, senseless violence such as this makes you wonder about the world. The details of this tragedy, however, are enough to infuriate anyone: Clemmons had talked about killing police before he acted, but no one took him seriously. Worse, "authorities have arrested at least three people on suspicion of aiding Clemmons after the shooting." These individuals allegedly "provided [him with] medical aid, housing, a cell phone and money," in addition to "trying to get him out of the state" and "call[ing] in false leads to divert investigators." How anyone could not only neglect to turn in this piece of garbage, but actually help him escape is beyond us.

Last but not least, Clemmons, "an ex-convict with a long rap sheet in Washington and Arkansas," should have been in jail. In 2000, at 27, he was in Arkansas serving a 95-year sentence he had received at only 16 for "robbery, burglary, theft and taking a gun to school." ("Suspect In Police Shootings Pledged To Turn Life Around") At that time, Clemmons told then Gov. Mike Huckabee in a statement, "'I have never done anything good for God, but I've prayed for Him to grant me in His compassion the grace to make a start.' [. . .] 'Now, I'm humbly appealing to you for a brand new start.'" Huckabee commuted his sentence, and he was released. "He was back in prison by September 2001."

After relocating to Washington in 2004, Clemmons still did not clean up his act. He was "recently charged in the assault of a police officer and rape of a child. [. . .] He spent several months in jail and was released on $150,000 bail Tuesday, days before the shootings." This is just one more heartbreaking illustration of the devastating effects of releasing dangerous criminals before they have served their time.

Our hearts go out to the slain officers' families, fellow officers, and friends.

Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society