Satan With A Badge

Dedicated to all unarmed police shootings relating to all major cities

Police Officers are involved in 400 killings every year
Over 18% are African Americans who are under the age of 21 

Three teenaged African American boys walk down the streets of North Carolina after celebrating a night of each of them turning eighteen. Two Caucasian police officers in a squad car drive down the street watching them from up ahead as they pull up closer to the three teenage boys. The two police officers hear on the radio dispatch of a description of an African American suspect wanted for a convenient store robbery wearing a black hoody and a snap back hat. The two police officers look at the three teenage boys and see that all three of them are wearing snap back hats. The officer in the driver's seat steps on the gas speeding up to the three of them as the other officer switched the siren on to flash the lights. The squad car pulls up next to the side walk where the three teenage boys are walking. The three boys stop walking and stand together in confusion. The two police officers step out of the squad car and both say "Let's see some I.D.". The boy standing on the left raises his hand. "We don't have any". The two police officers both pull out a pen and a note pad. All of the boys look at the two police officer's badges reading the names and numbers on it. One officer's badge says Peter Stevens. The other police officer's badge says David O'neil. Officer Stevens goes up to the boy standing on the right. "What is your name"? "Darren Richards is my name". Officer Stevens looks at the other two boys. "What are your names"? "My name is Mike Williams". "My name is John Lawrence". Officer O'neil writes down all their names on his notepad. Officer Stevens stares at all three of them. "Where were you all coming from"? Mike sighs and nods his head. "We were just coming from John's cousin's house after we were all celebrating our birthday party". "Are you guys in high school or something"? All three of them nod their heads yes. "Well then do any of you have a school I.D."? All three of them nod their heads no. "Me and my partner received a call about a robbery in the area". Mike steps forward. "Like I said we were all just heading home from our birthday party". Officer Stevens glares at Mike. "I see that you're carrying a back pack, do you mind if I take a look at it"? "What do you want to look at it for"? "Because I want to make sure that I can trust you". Officer O'neil takes Darren and John over to the squad car and frisks them with their hands on the hood. Officer Stevens kneels down and zips open Mike's back pack taking out a pair of sneakers, a lighter, headphones, and a school textbook of biology. "Is there anything else in here you want to tell me about"? "No, I don't have anything else in there". Officer Stevens kneels back up and zips the back pack closed and hands it back to Mike. "Look officer I don't mean no disrespect but if I'm not home soon my mom is going to get worried and kill me when I get home". As long as you're telling me the truth then you'll make it home soon". "I'm sorry but I just don't know what we did" "Like I told you before there has been a robbery in the area but now I'm starting to believe you but what I need now is my partner to make sure you're friends check out and then you'll be good to go". "Just sit tight and I'm going to talk to my partner". Officer Stevens turns around and walks up to Officer O'neil, Darren, and John. Mike feels his cell phone vibrating in his pocket. He reaches in to pull it out. Officer O'neil glances at him. He sees him reaching into his pocket. "Look out"! Officer O'neil quickly pulls out his fire arm from his holster and fires three shots at Mike hitting him three times in the abdomen and chest. Mike drops down flat to the side walk with his cell phone falling out of his hand. Out of reaction Darren and John both put their heads down on the hood of the squad car with their hands on their head. Officer Stevens pulls out his fire arm. He immediately handcuffs Darren and John as they lie down on the hood. Officer O'neil runs up to Mike's body aiming his fire arm at him. He looks over at the cell phone next to him and picks it up. He checks it and sees that it says one missed call from one of the contacts that is labeled as mom. Officer Stevens puts  Darren and John into the back seat of the squad car. He walks up to officer O'neil. "What happened"? Officer O'neil hands him the cell phone. "I thought this was a gun". They both bend down and check Mike's pulse from his neck and wrist. Darren and John both look at Mike's body from the inside of the squad car. They both scream out "Mike, Mike, Mike"! Residents of the neighborhood and bystanders watch from across the street. Officer Stevens dispatches an ambulance from his walkie talkie. A few minutes later an ambulance truck pulls up along with three other police squad cars. Two paramedics strap Mike onto a stretcher and wheel him into the ambulance truck. Darren and John are driven to the nearest police precinct. Officer Stevens and O'neil write out a report as the other police officers hold back angry neighbors and bystanders. As Mike is driven away in the ambulance truck the thoughts that run through his mind are vivid memories of diary quotes he would write in class while he would sit at his desk. The words that play back in his head is all filled with frustration. One of the paramedics applies pressures on his abdomen to stop the bleeding. The words that play back in his head is "Will there ever be justice for my people"? "I'm sick and tired of being judged"! "In this present day we still need more heroes, and why not have it start with me". "Maybe one day we'll truly be free from being enslaved, inferior, 2nd class, and in these days be free from incarceration". Officer Stevenson and O'neil drive back to their precinct hearing on the radio dispatch that the suspect in the robbery has been apprehended. By midnight Michael Martin Williams is declared dead at the intensive care unit at the hospital. The next day Officer O'neil sits in a conference room at the police department with the commissioner. Sitting next to him is Officer Stevens. "Like my partner Peter explained we both stopped three African American males because from what we heard they all fit the description of a robbery suspect that we got dispatched for". "After me and Peter stopped them we asked if they had I.D. and then they said they didn't have any or refused to and then that is when we searched them". The commissioner squints his eyes at Officer O'neil. "Were you the one who searched the other two young men"? "That's right and when Peter was done searching the other one that is when he pulled out a cell phone which at the time I thought was a fire arm and that's when I opened fire out of reaction". Officer Peter and David walk back to their desks at the department and sit across from each other. David looks at Peter fidgeting with his hands. "What do you think is going to happen Peter"? "You mean from what the commissioner was saying"? "Well you saw what happened and it really was an accident and another thing is I don't want to be looked at as the big bad wolf because I was just out there doing my duty". "It's too bad we weren't the ones who brought in the right suspect from the robbery because if anything it might of took some heat off of us so that people don't think weren't just a bunch of trigger happy cowboys". "I know it really would've looked better if we were the ones who brought in the guy who committed the actual robbery but the fact is for awhile we're going to have to hear what people think of us out there and maybe even in here". "You know peter, I never came out and said this before but you really can't blame us for questioning those boys". "What do you mean"? "I'm just saying the way those type of people act and even talk should be obvious enough why people can see them as threatening". "You know that I'm not a racist but when you look and act a certain way you should expect to get treated a certain way". "I was thinking the same thing with all that gangster rap but when I talked to that kid Michael he seemed like he wasn't that bad". "Either way they should all know better and I hope you keep your word when you said you would take some responsibility for what happened because you searched his back pack but you didn't search him". "David I don't think anything else is going to happen from here on but I can't help thinking about what his parents said are what they might do". "He probably only has one parent because honestly he most likely doesn't even have a father". Later on that day David sits in his living room watching the news broadcasting the scene of where the shooting occurred and footage of African Americans marching and protesting. He watches on as he drinks down three bottles of alcohol one by one.

Two weeks before the shooting Mike walks home from school and goes into his bedroom. Next to his bed is a desk with a lap top and journal on it. He opens the journal and begins to write a new entry. In the paragraph he writes "I shut out all words like thug, ghetto, thief, and any words that can be used to judge and stereotype my culture". "May I or any of my brothers and sisters not be just only recognized for rhyming over a beat and a hook or dunking a ball in a hoop". "Although I may be thankful for any progress or adjustment that's been made over the years please don't let me be blinded by any one or anything". "I shall also never be haunted by words like darkness, ugliness, or color because the only color I see out of any body is red from the blood that we all bleed as humans". "When it is my time to make a life of my own the words that I want to hear that is chosen for me is words like doctor, lawyer, or anything that benefits my future so that I can benefit others". John walks up to the front door of the house and knocks on the door. Mike closes the journal and walks to the front door and opens it. "Hey John, where were you today"? "I had to finish my homework and you know how Mr. Wilson is when we didn't finish our work". "Yeah you're right". "Is anybody else here"? "No, my mom went to her church service". "So can I come in"? "Let's go to my room". They both go into Mike's bedroom. John sits on the chair by the desk. Mike sits on the bed. John grabs Mike's journal. "What do you write in this"? "Put that down man its private"! John puts the journal back on the desk. "Just wait I'll read it some time". "I'll start hiding it then". "Any way I came to see what you wanted to do for your birthday party since its on the same month of me and Darren's birthday". "I don't know yet, what were you thinking"? "When I talked to Darren he said he was planning on going over his cousin's house but then he said his cousin doesn't mind if we come with him". "I guess we can because I don't have anything else planned". "I can't believe after a few more months we'll finally be done with high school". "I can't wait till I don't have any more homework or exams to worry about". "What are your plans after we graduate Mike"? "I'm planning on going to college". "I'm not surprised, you're always writing or doing some kind of extra work". "I just want to try it out for a couple of years and see what else I can do". "All I know is I'm looking for a job so I can finally have enough to buy my own car". "Have you ever thought about going to college John"? "I don't know but for right know I'm tired of school". "Do you ever think about what you're going to do within the next five or ten years"? "I really don't, all I know is I need a break from school and I need to make some of that quick money". "I was thinking that if you wanted to join what I plan to do after I graduate college". "Which is"? "I want to start my own business with events like fund raisers and charities". "How did you get that idea"? "My mom always says with the way I help her out it can be used for more people". "I could see you doing something like that but with what kind of people"? "You know I always admired the work of Dr. Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela so I figure maybe those are the type of foot steps I should follow in". "I thought you wanted to become more of a professional writer". "I do but I've been thinking maybe I should try more than just writing what's on my mind in a journal and start doing". "If I join what would we have to do to help people"? "As a start I want to help children in low income neighborhoods so that they don't follow down the path they already get judged for". "Its bad enough there is young men like us out there killing each other but then when there is no other solution they get locked up with little hope for a good future". "I know what you mean its hard every where you go". "I'd rather do something about it than sit back and watch it all happen over and over". "Mike, no matter what we have to look out for ourselves at all times and the only way we can do that is if we can all stick together". "Whatever you want to do after high school or college you know I always got your back". Three weeks later at the home of John's parents he and Darren are together in the living room with other young African American boys and girls. John stands up in front of all of them. "I can guarantee all of you that if Mike was white this would've never happened"! "Me, him, and Darren were just celebrating our birthday at my cousin's house and then we get stopped because to them all they see us is as thugs no matter where we go". "Me and Mike always talked about how frustrating it is for people like us especially in our age group to make try and make it in this country"! "I was always in denial on how hard it is for a black male to be success in America but of course Mike planned to go to college after we graduate and instead he's gone because society already had it's mind made up of who he was". "Then right before anything is cleared up me and Darren and get arrested with no questions asked, forcing us to call our parents in the middle of the night with them wondering why their sons are with the police in the first place". A camera man and a female news reporter knock on the door of Gloria William's house. She opens the door looking right at the camera. "Hello Mrs. Williams, I'm Julia Martinez from channel 4 news". "Do you have a moment to speak with us"? Gloria lets Julia and the camera man in. Gloria and Julia sit across from each other in the living room as the camera man films them. "We know this must be a difficult time for you right now but how are you feeling"? "No mother should ever have to bury their child but I know my son Michael is up there with god because all he wanted to do is help people and make sure we were always okay". Gloria wipes a tear from her eye. "How do you feel about the officer who claims to have mistakenly thought your son was carrying a fire arm"? "Only god can judge those who make mistakes". "If you don't mind me asking what does Michael's father think"? "Michael's father passed away when he was even years old from a head on crash shortly after me and him divorced". "I'm sorry to hear that, what do you plan to do going forward"? "My son planned on making a difference and I'm not going to let this change that". For the next two following months all around the united states along with North Carolina TV viewers from residences, bars, and store windows watch the broad casted court sessions of Officer David O'neil. After another week he was found not guilty of any charges the shooting of Michael Williams. After John sees the verdict on the news of Officer David O'neil being found not guilty he jumps up and storms into his room. He punches the wall with his fist. His father John Sr. runs in. "Come on son sit down". They both sit on the bed. "Being angry is not going to bring Michael back". "I know but I'm sick of this, all those cops get to harass us and nothing ever happens to them". "You can't always go by what you see or hear". "We should all get together and shut the city down". "If you do that then there will be more of you young men dead or in jail and for all for nothing". "Let me tell you something, no matter how something may appear things always even out the way they should in the end". During that same week there in each major city in America there is a march of African American protesters holding up pictures of Mike. In North Carolina the march is lead by Mike's mother Gloria. Next to her is John and Darren along with other class mates. Later on that night John purchases a 9mm pistol from an arms dealer on the street. He paces and down across the street from a coffee shop as he waits for police officers to show up. A moment later he sees one parked across the street that just pulled up. John walks across the street towards the police car with his head down. When he comes closer to the police car he taps on the window of the passenger side. The officer sitting on that side rolls down the window. John sees that the two police officers are Caucasian. He pulls out the 9mm and shoots both of them point blank in the head. Brain fragments splatter from the car to the outside in John's face. He runs away after firing one more shot in the officer's chest that is sitting in the passenger seat. He runs into an alley way and puts the 9mm into his mouth and pulls the trigger. John falls on a brick wall of the building in the alley way and slowly slides off it falling into a puddle. John stands across the street looking at the police squad car imagining it all in his head. He looks down a t his T-shirt seeing the picture of Mike on it. He walks away in a different direction and tosses the 9mm into a dumpster. As he continues to walk he flashes back to when him, Darren, and Mike blew out their candles on their birthday cake. He smiles and looks up at the sky with tears slowly dropping out of his eyes. Officer David once again sits in his living room drinking down a bottle of alcohol. He has flash backs of the shooting over and over. Glimpses of Mike's voice and face pop up in his head. He grabs a set of keys off the coffee table and walks outside. He drives away in a pick up truck. His vision is blurred as he continues to drive. He crosses over to the opposite side of the road. A car up ahead honks the horn. David crashes the pick up truck in a head collision to the other driver.     

John Lawrence went on to College majoring in criminal justice after his high school graduation.

Officer Peter Stevenson resigned as a police officer.

Officer David O'neil is now serving a life sentence for a fatal hit and run while intoxicated.

Darren Richardson became a civil rights activist after graduation.

Gloria Williams opened up a child day care from fund raisers promoting anti-violence.

                         

                           Dedicated To
                          
                           Trayvon Martin
                           Oscar Grant  
                           Michael Brown
                           Tamir Rice 

Reviews

[Cool Girl]

Wonderful and logical! As an African American who is a young teenager, I definitely have heard about police killing people and am not happy about it. Though there are "reasons" I am quite disturbed when white officers kill black teens. This is disturbing because look how far african Americans have come. We've been through slavery, then fought for civil rights. Now that we are finally out of those situations, we should be respected and not harmed. Great write, dear friend! Kudos :)

[LaDain Jackson]

Thank you very much I appreciate all point of views and god bless!

[Cool Girl]

You're very welcome! Thanks so much!

[LaDain Jackson]

To the latest victims Alton Sterling and police officers of Dallas, Texas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana rest in peace and all lives matter. By the way to all the readers of my story "Satan With a Badge" please don't take the title the wrong way. It is a story about addressing the whole issue happening in our country and it is not meant to harm or offend anyone under any circumstance.

[Tbear]

Young man, kudos for addressing such a painful situation. Giving it life, importance and insight. I followed the horrifying and escalating police/blacks situation from across the planet and it grieves me so.

Now a bit of critique.. I forced myself to read this and found it a good topic but the reading would be easier if broken up into smaller paragraphs.. ''"Michael's father passed away when he was even years old'' ... do you mean eleven??
Again thank you for taking on this important issue.. Blessings..and write on young man..