Baron Coleman: "Police are guardians to the community." (Facebook phot
A chilling attempt to ambush two 12th Precinct officers on Detroit's west side Wednesday morning brings a heartfelt social media post from an officer who wasn't involved.
"At the end of the day all we ask is to go home in one piece, back to our families," Baron Coleman posts with examples of how he and colleagues "do more than arrest and write tickets."
No one was hurt -- or caught -- when a man fired eight to 10 shots at a marked patrol car around 10:30 a.m. near the former State Fairgrounds area off Woodward, police say. Chief James Craig describes the weapon as "an assault-type rifle," reports Jason Coltjhorp of WDIV.
Speaking at the scene, Craig adds:
"Officers on routine patrol, not responding to a call for service, were in this area. They were eastbound on Remington at Derby. As they approached the intersection they heard several shots being fired. As they continued to advance in the eastbound direction, they looked and saw a suspect with what appeared to be an assault-type rifle, a magazine -- a large-capacity magazine -- and began to fire shots at the officers.
"At that point, to avoid being struck by gunfire, the officers quickly accelerated eastbound out of the field of fire. . . .
"We believe the officers were targeted. . . . Fortunately, both officers are OK."
Baron Coleman: "Police are guardians to the community." (Facebook photo)
In his public appeal, Coleman of the 8th Precinct posts an emotional Facebook plea for Detroiters to help safeguard those who protect them.
"If you know of anyone willing to shoot a cop, or has shot at police, turn them in," he says. "Your community deserves them off your streets. . . . If they will try to murder police, then there is no one they won't shoot at."
Information can be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Michigan at (800) SPEAKUP or via this form at the group's website.
Coleman, part of a Neighborhood Police Officer program launched by Chief Craig, sketches a wide-angle portrait of what officers do:
Police are guardians to the community.
Police will be distributing Goodfellows program boxes next week.
Police shop with kids for the Christmas holiday.
Police mentor children, with many different programs.
Police do coat drives and fundraisers for the community.
Just two weeks ago, police passed out hundreds of turkeys for families in the city looking for help for Thanksgiving Day.
In Detroit we train to do more than arrest and write tickets. At the end of the day all we ask is to go home in one piece, back to our families.
