Dear Editor:The letter to the editor last week ("Police Shootings," 12/1/11) brought back memories of military service in WWII and the Korean War. Policing was done by two men with clean, highly-polished equipment, well-press uniforms, each wearing an armband SP (Shore Patrol) or MP (Military Police) carrying a well-oiled, fully loaded GI 45 automatic and a long, thick night stick. Soldiers causing trouble were ordered to comply and move on. Resistance brought a few painful body blows from the night stick. Running could bring a few rounds from a 45 automatic. The lifelong lesson learned: keep your mouth shut, quickly obey an order, and never, ever run unless you want a few slugs in your backside. Law officers have a difficult job. Often they must make split second decisions. Officers don't have the luxury of standing around making a decision. Juries, judges, attorneys, every Tom, Dick and Harry, and writers of letters to the editor can spend hours debating and dissecting the case while the officer must make it in a second. The letter deals harshly with police, police departments and especially our Downey Police. One item: "you don't deal with the Downey Police if you don't have to. Michael Nida ran because he was taught to run by decades of Downey Police repression and reputation. Michael Nida was shot because the reputation of the uniform willed." Tsk, tsk. Strong words and not true. Suspects often run because they are dumb, stupid and haven't had proper discipline in their lives. They were never taught to respond to a command, to an order to halt. Our family has lived in Downey over 50 years. Four children educated locally and we all, friends, neighbors are pleased with our outstanding Downey Police force. It is the best, it always has been the best. They serve and protect us; they are prepared to lay their lives on the line for us. Without them we would live in a jungle so let's praise and show them we appreciate what they do for us 24/7. -- Byron Dillon, Downey

********** Published: December 8, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 34