Officer Down (Sgt. Ryan Russell)

[lordmandeep]

Some people said an officer died, "so what"


However those people do not realize Canada is not that kind of a society, where the death of a police officer is nothing new. I think that is the point these people miss, that whenever a police officer dies it is a sad reflection of our society.

 

[OttoSchloss]

Uh, he died chasing a snow plow driven by someone who probably couldn't distinguish between a police officer and an otherworldly demon out to steal his thoughts. He wasn't gunned down by radicals trying to make a point about social ills.

His death was a tragedy because whenever someone dies senselessly it is one. But it's really no different than some old lady getting run over by a streetcar because the conductor was drunk or a prescription drug abuser.

 

[Jonny5]

Imo all this outrage over a police funeral, has really showed our society is becoming incredibly stupid.

We for no reason become fixated on such pointless issues.

What is it to you that they have a big funeral and when is Canada some socialist country, where everyone deserves an equal funeral.

Seriously guys, stop eating the brownies and come back to reality and focus on some real issues like transit, crime, homelessness and such.

The only outrage I see is coming from people whose ideas have been challenged and can only respond with insults.

 

[lordmandeep]

If the challenges themselves are insulting, you would likely see a insulting response..

Uh, he died chasing a snow plow driven by someone who probably couldn't distinguish between a police officer and an otherworldly demon out to steal his thoughts.

So the hearts are already starting to bleed for the killer.
This guy is a poor soul. He did not not know what he was doing, his life was hard...
Oh cry me a river...

I will not insult your ideas, but I don't see the point in belittling the poor officers death. Does it make you happy or you just don't care about life?
What is it with the pessimistic, nihilistic viewpoints on this website?

Its like "officer died, who cares, f*ck the police!"
"Rob Ford wants to cut transit routes no one uses, he is the worst mayor ever!"

lol

 

[cupocupe]

So...if a garbage man is killed in a car accident during his shift can his union brothers and sisters march down University?

 

[TOareaFan]

So...if a garbage man is killed in a car accident during his shift can his union brothers and sisters march down University?

You really can't see the difference between a " car accident" and what happened here? I f nothing else, the message we can read into the first degree murder charge is that this was no accident. That much we can all agree, surely?

Whether we should/do value/honor the life of an individual or group of individuals who daily put on a uniform and stand between us and harm is something that is, surprisingly to me, the subject of some debate.

 

[PinkLucy]

You really can't see the difference between a " car accident" and what happened here? I f nothing else, the message we can read into the first degree murder charge is that this was no accident. That much we can all agree, surely?

I believe that causing the death of a police officer usually results in a charge of first degree murder.

 

[Admiral Beez]

So...if a garbage man is killed in a car accident during his shift can his union brothers and sisters march down University?

Nice. Your very first post to UT? Troll much?

 

[OttoSchloss]

You really can't see the difference between a " car accident" and what happened here? I f nothing else, the message we can read into the first degree murder charge is that this was no accident

The Crown always charges first degree murder in the death of a police officer, regardless of the circumstances of the crime. It certainly doesn't mean they'll convict with that charge.

 

[TOareaFan]

The Crown always charges first degree murder in the death of a police officer, regardless of the circumstances of the crime. It certainly doesn't mean they'll convict with that charge.

Perhaps, but the presence of any murder charges and, by your own words, the indication of a "crime" indicate that this is not an "accident"....that is the point I was making. Surely we can agree that this is different than an automobile accident (as stated in the post I was responding to.

 

[cupocupe]

You really can't see the difference between a " car accident" and what happened here? I f nothing else, the message we can read into the first degree murder charge is that this was no accident. That much we can all agree, surely?

Whether we should/do value/honor the life of an individual or group of individuals who daily put on a uniform and stand between us and harm is something that is, surprisingly to me, the subject of some debate.

Ok...I'll break it down for you.

If a civil servant, in this case a garbage man, picks up a bag of garbage and pricks himself with a contaminated sharp, what is that considered? Is that just a hazard of the job? He goes home and slowly dies of some contagious disease (AIDS, HIV etc) over time and no one cares. In fact the mayor contracts out his job.

It's a tragedy sure, but it's been totally overdone and we should be over it. His family is getting a lifetime pension from the city so why would his son need the bank account/trust fund?

In a sidenote, why aren't soldiers given the same style of funeral? They put themselves in harms way as you say, yet they make $20,000 a year and actually get shot at. This guy wasn't shot by a bank robber, he was in a car accident. It's tragic to be sure, but he didn't die saving a baby from getting hit by a car.

 

[PinkLucy]

Soldiers are repatriated and escorted to Toronto along the Highway of Heroes. Have you ever seen it? It's awesome, people standing on every overpass from Trenton to the Don Valley, no matter the weather. Firetrucks, flags, the general population, it's really something to see. (sad that we have to see it though!). They are then taken to their home towns (generally) where ceremonies are held.

 

[cupocupe]

I understand it, and yes I am aware of it. However, there are soldiers from toronto who go and die and the city really doesn't blink an eye. The G20 in my belief had a huge impact on how people view police in general.

It's almost like how on September 11, 2001 it was ok to make fun of New York cops and Firefighters, and two days later it would be lewd.

 

[Torontovibe]

Ok...I'll break it down for you.

If a civil servant, in this case a garbage man, picks up a bag of garbage and pricks himself with a contaminated sharp, what is that considered? Is that just a hazard of the job? He goes home and slowly dies of some contagious disease (AIDS, HIV etc) over time and no one cares. In fact the mayor contracts out his job.

It's a tragedy sure, but it's been totally overdone and we should be over it. His family is getting a lifetime pension from the city so why would his son need the bank account/trust fund?

In a sidenote, why aren't soldiers given the same style of funeral? They put themselves in harms way as you say, yet they make $20,000 a year and actually get shot at. This guy wasn't shot by a bank robber, he was in a car accident. It's tragic to be sure, but he didn't die saving a baby from getting hit by a car.

Soldiers make $20,000 a year? I can't believe that. Who would put their lives on the line for 20 thousand? Where did you get that figure from? I thought they were well paid like police. Can you give us your source of information, I just can't believe they are that badly paid.

 

[TOareaFan]

Soldiers make $20,000 a year? I can't believe that. Who would put their lives on the line for 20 thousand? Where did you get that figure from? I thought they were well paid like police. Can you give us your source of information, I just can't believe they are that badly paid.

A quick Google turned up this cbc article by a former member of the military in 2009. I doubt if pay has dropped since then.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/01/13/f-vp-smol.html

I think this will be my last post on this subject......just move to the agree to disagree territory.....I don't accept that this was a simple car accident, but I do accept that others see it differently and arguing over it makes no sense.