Officers Killed in Atlanta

Today, at this very moment two of Dekalb County's, finest officers are being remembered at a ceremony for their life's work. Ricky Bryant Jr., 26, and Eric Barker, 33, were killed in cold blood on January 16, 2008, as they worked off duty as security for Glenwood Garden Apartments in Atlanta. According to CNN.com, Chief Terrell Bolton gave the time line of the horrendous act occurring around 1:00 am, after both officers responded to a call about a suspicious person in the area. Bryant and Barker were ambushed when they answered the call leaving one man dead on the scene and the other fighting for his life on the way to the hospital only to lose the battle. Both men were in full uniform having left their jobs earlier, leaving no doubt that they were police officers. On various news stations WSB TV Channel 2 Action News, WAGA FOX 5 News, WGCL TV Channel 46 News, as well as national news sources, aired the promise of capture by Chief Terrell Bolton as he promised that these criminals would be caught before morning of the next day.

I watched the news in sadness as they announced that both men were married, as well as both having 4 children. These officers were maliciously plotted against leaving these families without fathers, husbands, brothers, and parents without their sons. Even the celebration of their lives and duty, occurring today at New Birth Baptist Church in Atlanta, we can take comfort in knowing that the culprits in their murder are behind bars.

Remember these names always, because these men had no thought or considerations for anyone beyond their own deaden souls, ignorance, and foolish anger: William Maurice Woodward, Mario O'Brian Westbrook, and Herbie DeShawn Durham. All three have been charged with two counts of murder according to ABC News.

Five families have been destroyed for no reason, two unwillingly, and three willing. These officers lives have been cut drastically short the support of a father has been torn away from each of these men children. The embrace of a best friend, a husband, gone from their wives; no more secret jokes will cause both of them to laugh. In the decision to assist their own community by bringing an end to the drug infestation, prostitution, and constant shooting within a community, these men paid the ultimate price with their lives their families paid a terrible price.

So today not only should we in Atlanta and other cities give tribute to these officers, but we also need to give tribute to those who in their attempts to make our communities, streets, business, etc safe gave honor in their lives and they left with it, although this will not bring warmth of the laughter to the families losing their loved ones they should be thanked for the support of the men and women who served us and served us well. Never forget and always remember their love for a better environment that not only their families could live in but a world we could live in as well. For a list of officers in your city and state killed in the line of duty visit http://www.aphf.org/lods.html