With Justice For All
 
In This Issue - Vol 1, No 4 (Fall, 1999) Obtain "Cops Under Fire"
Legislative Update Update: Todd Sears
Officer Charged with Murdering Violent Criminal Chairman's Letter
 

Legislative Update

Update:
Todd Sears

 
To keep you posted on what's going on in Congress, here is a list of the important legislative measures that you should keep an eye on - and contact your Congressman about:
  • The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Act would provide for a national medal for officers who act with extraordinary valor above and beyond the call of duty. This has been introduced in both houses of Congress;

  • The Body Armor Act would limit access to body armor by violent felons;

  • The Safe Schools, Safe Streets Act and The Secure Borders Act both are geared to youth and were passed to fight crime in schools, reform the juvenile justice system, and assist victims of crime;

  • The Violent and Repeat Juvenile Offender Act would assist in the reduction of violent crime by youths and help rehabilitate young criminals, in addition to deterring violent gang crime;

  • The Gun Retention Act of 1999 would provide special penalties for taking a firearm from a federal officer; and

  • The Traffic Stops Statistics Study Act would address the so-called "racial profiling" when police stop cars for minor traffic violations.


To get more information about any of these proposed measures, contact your Congressman at 202-224-3121.


Next Story

 

  In the last two newsletters, we carried pictures and articles about Officer Todd Sears of the Omaha Police Department who was indicted by a Grand Jury for manslaughter after firing on an armed suspect who was pointing a gun at him. The case became very political due to the fact that the officer is white and the alleged victim was black. The County Attorney, under pressure from the media, appointed a special prosecutor who indicted Sears.

LELDF supported Officer Sears because the use of deadly force was reasonable and justified. Officer Sears was faced with an unknown individual approaching him with a weapon drawn and pointed at him. He had no other choice than to respond with deadly force.

With the support of LELDF, Todd Sears' attorney, Michael Fabian, brought expert witnesses before the Omaha, Nebraska Grand Jury which clearly demonstrated that the use of deadly force by Todd Sears was justified. The Grand Jury concurred and ruled that the indictment of Sears was improper.

LELDF commends Todd Sears for his courage and determination to seek justice. We also congratulate him on his recent marriage to Cathleen Peters.

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