Tragedy on our Border: Part II

Edwards County, Texas is a small community of only 2,162 citizens siting near our southern border. Although this county is the size of Delaware, the police force only has around 3 officers patrolling on duty at any given time. They do not have the population resources or monetary resources for any large force, but they don't really have the need. Although most Americans had never been to, or for that matter ever heard of, Edwards County, TX, it was about to make headlines on an international level.

Deputy Gilmer Hernandez (Right Photo) was patrolling the deserted sands of the county when we spotted a speeding Suburban run a red light. He obviously stopped the truck, and began to walk up to the drivers side window when he noticed multiple people laying on the floor of the truck. He called out for the driver to shut off the engine, but the driver ignored him and sped off, running over Gilmer's foot, then coming back in his direction. He began to fire at the truck's tires, blowing out one, which brought the Suburban to a stop. It was at this point that 8 or 9 illegal immigrants fled in all different directions...but one woman, Marcela Rodriguez Garcia, remained in the back seat. One of the bullets had ricocheted, breaking a couple of her teeth and bloodying her lip. She was treated at the local hospital.

Hernandez reported to his supervisor, and an investigation was called, which is usually what happens following a police shooting (don't ask me why). The Texas Rangers gave the thumbs up to the shooting, calling it clean and clear, and commending Deputy Hernandez.

However, the federal government began it's own investigation after receiving a letter from the Mexican Consulate stating that the rights of this woman, and the others in the truck, had been violated by the Deputy Hernandez. Prosecutors also say that he should not have unholstered his weapon because his life was not in danger. I'm sorry, I didn't know the prosecutors were at the scene when it all went down.

Surprisingly, Deputy Gilmer Hernandez was convicted on December 1, 2006 and will be sentenced later this month. He could serve up to a decade, and (of course) he has lost his job.

The fact of the matter is that Hernandez did have reason to fear for his life, but he DID NOT fire into the Suburban. Instead, he unloaded on the tires in an attempt to stop the vehicle. Even is he did fire into the truck, big whoop...they are illegals who drove off and came back at him after being told to stop. We are talking about a family man from south Texas making $21,000 a year to be a local county police officer. We are also talking about a man who has dedicated his life to the protection of the 2,162 residents of Edwards County and the laws of this country.

Cases like this make it very hard for our protectors to protect us. These prosecutors find rhyme and reason in going after law enforcement officers whose only intent was the protection of themselves, US Citizens, our borders and our laws. It is suspected that international politics is at play here (and in the Compean/Ramos case) since Mexico demanded this "crime" not go unpunished. Attorneys say it is rare for such interest to come about from another country, but it could be a ploy to pressure the US into dialing down it's crackdown on illegal immigration. Members of congress (conservatives) are now stepping up and calling for investigations into these claims, as well as getting these men out of prison and back on the beat.

Want to help? Please contact your representatives. You can see more on how in Part I. You can also contact Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX) who has been very active in these cases. Once again, I vow to call our representatives and then some every week on our weekly Monday talk radio show, "Right for a Reason," on 88.7 WNHU (www.wnhu.net).

Bottom line: This cannot keep happening. More is at stake than most know if it continues, but the lives of the 3 officers between these two cases is enough. Lets get on it and end it.