A K9 officer was shot and killed in the line of duty a few miles from where I live two days ago. Jinx, a three-year-old Belgian Malinois, had only just begun his service to our community when he was gunned down attempting to subdue a suspect who was brandishing a gun despite repeated commands by responding officers to lower the weapon. True to his training, when Jinx was given the command he did not falter; he charged toward danger and ultimately sacrificed his life. I know there are plenty who (perhaps rightly so) would say that Jinx lacked the capacity for rational thought or to choose this selfless act that protected his human brothers and sisters from injury. He had been trained for a job and he performed that job perfectly. I can understand this argument. Still, at their very core dogs grant their devotion, forgiveness, and loyalty to us unquestioningly with no motive apart from their desire to be close to us. I don’t know many humans, myself included, with such impeccable character and pure heart.
As David and I watched the news story breaking, jaws clenched and hearts aching, neither of us needed to express our outrage at this tragedy. Without a doubt, my soft spot is for dogs. I know I can track toward extremes when it comes to this topic and I have no apology for that. Helping those without a strong voice (or any at all) to find their agency and God-given worth has been a top priority for me. Having spent time on the receiving end of bullying and even assault, I know the peace and confidence that come from speaking up and claiming my power, and knowing I can take care of myself. To be an advocate for those still developing this capacity (or those who will never possess it) is something for which I live.
At times my passion to care for those unable to do so for themselves creates what can feel like a contradiction within me. As a Christian whose professional path has been to nurture young people with an open heart and mind, and as a lifelong vegetarian with immense respect for animals, I also would not hesitate to defend and protect those who need me to do so, by whatever means I must. People interpret Scripture in ways that vary. Some use it to validate their peaceful passivity; others wield it to justify extreme behaviors. Regardless of others’ opinions, I have come to believe that I must give careful thought to and be able to stand by my choices no matter the consequence. I do not believe that my Creator (or my Mama) would condone my indiscriminately harming any living being; however, I also believe that both expect me to respect the life I (and others) have been given, use the brain with which I was gifted, and protect life against any who threaten to destroy it.
Acts of violence often, but not always, seem to originate from individuals who have been granted too many second chances. I know mine is not a popular opinion, and I would not say it if I did not feel it in my bones. In the case of Jinx’s murder several days ago, the suspect had been waving a gun in the direction of officers, and civilians were also present. At what point does pointing a gun at people move from a tolerable act to an imminent threat? Who knew when an agitated suspect would accidentally or intentionally pull the trigger? Who determines how many lives are worth risking in the name of granting “one more chance”? And yes, the suspect could have been suffering mental illness and his caregiver might have been absent, or maybe he was under the influence of some substance. These possibilities do not negate the reality that he could have, and did, cause harm. I do not hold myself apart from judgement when I say that when we make choices, we implicitly accept their consequences. If in a state of anger I yell terrible things to someone, I can apologize and regret those words, but I must accept the outcome of my outburst. If I steal items from Wal-Mart, even if it is to provide for my family’s basic needs, I must be ready to face the penalty. It is one of life’s tragedies that sometimes there might be logical reasons for poor behavior, and yet when that poor behavior can cause a negative ripple effect it cannot be ignored.
If the past several months have taught us anything about what unchecked power combined with a permissive society can look like, it should be that, in the words of Maya Angelou, “When people show you who they are, believe them (the first time).” To that I would add, “And take whatever steps are needed to ensure the safety and wellness of oneself and others in response to this revelation.” I don’t believe that Jinx would have done anything differently if he had the chance to revisit that day his life ended. And truly, thank God for those heroes, both the ones with and without fur coats, who do not hesitate to pay whatever cost necessary to permit others the chance to live.
PartWolf 