July 2024. Blues Vol 40 No.7

er, John Smith, is

er, John Smith, is serving a life sentence at Wende Correctional Facility in Erie County but has a parole hearing scheduled for August, according to state records. OFFICERS CRITICIZED FOR SHAKING HANDS WITH TRUMP BEFORE Footage of presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump shaking hands with a line of police officers ahead of a rally in Racine, Wisconsin, has sparked anger on social media with former CIA director Michael Hayden saying they should be “ashamed” given the former president’s recent felony conviction. At the end of May, Trump was convicted of 34 felony charges of falsifying business records, which prosecutors said he did to cover up the payment of hush money to former pornographic actress Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Trump, who pled not guilty to the charges, has branded the trial “rigged” and is widely expected to appeal. Trump held a rally in the city of Racine, Wisconsin, on Tuesday as he campaigns for votes in what is expected to be one of the crucial swing seats in November’s election, Newsweek reports. The video was also posted on X by the Really American PAC, which campaigns against Trump-supporting Republicans. The account wrote: “It is absolutely DISGRACEFUL to see so many members of Wisconsin law enforcement ‘bend the knee’ to a convicted felon who still faces dozens of indictments. ‘Law and order’ is now chaos and disorder.” However, Paul Szypula, a conservative activist with 174,000 X followers, took a different view, sharing the footage with the comment: “President Trump just thanked the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Officers before getting on his plane to continue campaigning. “Joe Biden would never show such respect to police or any Americans.” N.C. OFFICER DIES BY SUI- CIDE WHILE ON DUTY Editor’s Note: Suicide is always preventable. If you are having thoughts of suicide or feeling suicidal, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline immediately at 988. Counselors are also available to chat at www. suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Remember: You deserve to be supported, and it is never too late to seek help. Speak with someone today. By Jeff A. Chamer and Ryan Oehrli The Charlotte Observer CHARLOTTE, N.C. —An officer died Monday from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound near Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said. Brent Simpson was a K-9 officer who had worked at CMPD since 2006, according to the department. Before that, he served in the Navy as an operation specialist with the Military Police, according to CMPD. Police Chief Johnny Jennings called it a “very sad” day for his department at a press conference. He stressed the importance of talking about mental health. He asked for respect for the officer’s family. “Very sad day for our department which also stresses the fact of the importance that we talk about every day, when it comes to the mental health of 74 The Blues - July ‘24

The Blues - July ‘24 75