Condolences *UPDATED*

Since I grew up in the 1960s and 1970s, I came of age in an era when policemen were routinely referred to as “pigs.”  That, I’m happy to say, was not the sentiment in my home, and I’ve always had a deep and abiding respect for the men and women who are willing to put their lives at risks to keep their fellow citizens safe.  Yes, there are some bad apples, those who see the job as a power trip, rather than a civic duty but, thank God, they are few in number.  Most American police officers are really and truly the good guys.

I was therefore horrified to learn that 4 of these good guys died in one horrible afternoon in Oakland, California, just across the Bay from me.  I extend my sincerest condolences to the men’s family, their friends, and to the entire Oakland police department.

UPDATE:  Thomas Lifson highlights the uncharacteristic comments left by readers at the SF Chron’s report on this story — uncharacteristic in that they’re hostile to the thug, not the police.

UPDATE II:  The  Chron’s readers may have been unexpectedly on the side of angels.  It is with horror that I report that the crowd on the scene was not.  Staring at the carnage before them, at least 20 of them jeered at the officers.