i think that in this day in age in memphi you do not let a 12 year old boy play outside in a well known crime area at 2 in the morning and why would he be out that late with a toy gun i do no think the boy should have died over that i think that the officer could have used other messures to protect himself like mase not shooting a child it was uncalled for in any aspect and i hope that the boys family is doing ok my prays are with you and i hope this tragedy makes parents and out law inforcment think twice about the actions they take

I don't want to see any child or any adult miss treated, and/or shot by the police. But I have a question for you, why is it and I am not talking about this case because we don't know what happened really as of yet. But why is it when someone is killed by a white person all hell breaks loose in comes Jesse Jackson, and Al Sharpton, yet when that young WHITE couple were murdered in Knoxville just a couple of months ago by blacks it is not a hate crime?  They raped her while the boyfirend had to watch, they cut his penis off while she had to watch, they killed him while she watched, they repeatedly raped her for two days and cut off her *** whilst she was still alive then she was killed, NOW IF THIS IS NOT A HATE CRIME I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS, and if you are going to go on about civil rights WE HAVE THEM TOO, and it is about time you MEDIA PEOPLE REALIZED THAT THIS IS A TWO WAY STREET. Nothing has been said about this young couple NOTHING, and had it been the other way around hell Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson and the rest of them would have been here in a heart beat.    
I am sick of this one sided media, and by the way, we the white people in Memphis are the minority just in case you haven't looked lately.
I don't like hatred but I hate it when we are being called names BY HIS HIGHNESS THE KING, and Al Sharpton-Jessie Jackson Redundant, why are they not doing something about the hate crime I MENTIONED THAT HAPPENED IN KNOXVILLE. Bet you will not give me a good answer will you.
The slave days are over, it is only being carried on by hate mongers like Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson who by the way is in the Rainbow Coalition, aren't there more colors in a rainbow besides black???????    

Patricia...you are EXACTLY RIGHT!!!!!  OMG, can I say it again? YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT!!! What happened to that poor couple in Knoxville is horrendous.  I too didn't know anything about that until it was posted to me by a friend on myspace.  What those monsters did to that couple is just plain awful.  I couldn't even read all the facts without crying my eyes out.  Yes, you as well as I see what this world has come to.  Had that couple been black, the story would have been all over the place.  IT WAS A HATE CRIME OF THE HIGHEST MAGNITUDE!!!!

As far as I'm concerned, if Al Sharpton and the rest of his group are planning on making a stand in WM again, then I say let's be fair and bring in the KKK.

I agree with Patricia a most of her comments, but I also want to add that I am sick of the race card being pulled out whenever it is convenient.  If someone pulled a gun on me at 2:00 a.m. I would have fired first in self-defense.  How would anyone know that it was a toy gun.  The parents or guardian should take blame for permitting the youth to be out at that time and to have a realistic looking toy gun.  It was a tragic accident waiting to happen and if the officer that did fire was black, it would not have caused another Sharpton appearance.  It is time the black community takes responsibility for their inactions.  If they can't get it together 150 years after slavery was abolished, when?  Stop blaming the white race for all your black problems.  You bring it on yourself.

Laura, we can't bring back the KKK.  The white race must be politically correct.  Of course, that politically correctness only goes for the white race.  We must continually be disrespected by every other race.  That's the law, I think.

You're right Diane.  I forgot!

I feel the officer had a good reason to use his firearm.  The question still stands, what was this kid doing out at that time of night in that neighborhood?  Look at this from another way.  The police officer thought the toy was a real weapon, and acted to preserve his and his partner's safety.  So what would have happened if the kid would have pulled the gun on someone else who happened to have a real weapon?  I think he may have been just as dead.  Most people can't tell the difference between a fake and a real gun at a distance, in the dark no less, and as this gun must have looked that real, how could the officer have known?  I can guarantee you, as an avid shooter and former Air Force myself, Officer Sammis wasn't focused on the color of the kid, but on the color of that weapon the child had.  Your entire visions narrows down to that gun hand when it is pointed at you.   If a person, black, white, chinese, or mexican were to pull a gun on me, I am going to assume that it is real, and I will do what is necessary to protect myself.  And I agree with Patricia, where was Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson when Chris Newsom and Channon Christian were brutalized in the worst possible way?  If they want everyone to be equal and for the world of racism to get better, maybe they should practice what they preach.  We are all created equal, although apparently not for them.  Murder is murder, it doesn't need to be classified as a "hate crime!"  Lastly, I ask, where would they be if it was a white kid shot by a black cop?

Ladies, I hear ya! If you are white and Christian, you don't stand a chance! You're too afraid to speak up because your afraid that someone will attack you and/or call you a racist. I moved out of Shelby county and have never looked back. I have never been one to run from trouble, but I'm outnumbered in Shelby county and "Memfrica"! But, this is my last stand! I'm not running anymore. When "they" destroy Memphis and head my way, I'll be waiting for them ............ and so will others!

Matt, you ask about a black cop shooting a white kid and the result?  Nothing!!  It would be a horrible accident. End of story.  Why you ask?  Because hundreds of years ago, tribes in Africa captured and sold their enemies to traders.  They were then sold as slaves all over (not just America).  When they were freed, the white people owed the black people and had to make up for the slavery years. FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER AND EVER AND EVER AND EVER.  By the way, my family never owned slaves, we are Native Americans and Europeans (German, Irish, and English).  But, because my skin is white I must pay for slavery, FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER AND EVER AND EVER.

I'll be standing by your side with the others.  I left Florida and moved to rural Tennessee because I was the only one left in my neighborhood that spoke English and didn't listen to that filthy rap music.  They finally ran me out after liviing in my house for 20 years.  I will not be run out again.  Unfortunately, my granddaughters must go to school and we have to watch them like a hawk. Especially the 14 year old.  She is permitted to go to any dances or social events without her dad, mom or me standing guard.  

Somehow names got messed up:  DIANE is from Florida and listed the last comment not Bob.  sorry

i have watched the news of this sad event on channels 3,5,and 7 and i have yet to hear one of the news anchors, or anyone else for that matter, ask where the parents of this twelve year old were. in my opinion they should be charged with child abuse for letting a twelve year old run the streets at 2 a. m.  not only that, but why didn't they take the time to teach this child that you should never point a gun at anyone, and especially at a policeman? it is a sad thing in this country when we are all too often so quick to blame the brave men and women who do a job most of us would not do. they leave their home every day, not knowing if they will return or not, and when they have to make a difficult decision in a split second that some see's as wrong, they are crucified in the court of public opinion even before the facts are known. why would anyone want a job like that? i for one am glad there are such people and i'll at least give them the benefit of doubt until i know the whole story.

I raised three girls in Bartlett. I walked the floors when they were out with friends. I am now an "empty nester" and I still worry about them. They all live in Shelby county. They will all have permits to carry a weapon. There's nothing wrong with "Armed and Female". I too, have a permit to carry. It makes me feel a little more at ease when I have to go to Memphis. I really feel terrible about what happened in West Memphis, but were where the parents? I have a son-in-law that's a cop. I fear for him, too. Political Correctness will be our downfall.

Laura, diane, patricia thats a bunch of bs and ignorance, that sounds like prejudice and racism to me.  Al was here to remind you all that slavery is over and we aint taking no mess. Black is beautiful, and if you stand for nothing you fall for anything. United we stand and divided we fall and we are not going to fall we are going to come out on top in this situation, and thats a promise.  Its bad that its going to take a tradgedy for us to get some justice.

Fed Up, that's all it's ever about for you, isn't it?

"We shall overcome, we shall overcome, we shall overcome, blah, blah, blah, blah.."

It's funny, because the only people who I ever hear about slavery from....is people like YOU!!! YOU are the ones who will never let it go. YOU are the ones who think I owe you something for an issue that died decades ago.

I owe you absolutely NOTHING. I don't you an apology. I don't owe you a reparation. I owe you NOTHING.

And why WON'T Al Sharpton spend some time in Knoxville to make sure those animals get what they've got coming to them?

Oh yes, the victims of that atrocity were WHITE....and the animals in question were  BLACK. That's not how the Reverend rolls...

Now, back to the issue at hand...

There was NO excuse for this CHILD to be outside in a God-forsaken ghetto at 2 in the morning. WHERE was his family???

This officer is now having to pay because this child's parents were too stupid (or simply didn't care enough) to teach this child better than to EVER point a toy gun at ANYBODY, much less an officer of the law. My FIVE YEAR OLD SON knows better than that. That's because I have taken the time and the effort to train my son in the ways of right and wrong. And I am TOO GOOD of a parent to EVER let my child outside at 2 in the morning, much less outside in an animalistic ghetto.

Am I judging the parents, or whoever it was that was supposed to be watching this child?

You better believe it.

Yes, this is a horrible tragedy. But this officer did what he was trained to do. He felt his life was endangered, and this was intensified by the neighborhood he was in, not to mention the time of night it was.

You don't think he wishes he could have that moment back?

This was an ACCIDENT. This was NOTHING like the animals who shoot each other in this city every single day for no other reason than someone "dissed" them, or somebody's "rep" was getting damaged.

I hope I used the right lingo there.

Farrow's family and Sammis' family are both suffering tonight, over a tragic accident. If anyone should be prosecuted, it is the parents of this child, or whoever it was that was supposed to be in charge of him.

Why does Al Shapton and Jessy Jackson get involved when an African American is killed by a white person? Why aren't they called in to raise cane when an African American is killed by another African American? It would not have mattered if the child was neon green. He had a gun and in the split second the difference cannot be told between it and a real gun. Yes it is very tragic that this happened but what kind of parents give a child a toy gun that looks just like a real one. If anything there needs to be parenting seminars taking place not Al Sharpton getting everybody all fired up.

You call me "Cracker", "***", "Whitey", "Gringo" and you think it's OK....But when I call you ***, Towelhead, WOP, Camel Jockey, Gook, nigg or *** you call me a racist.
-You say that whites commit a lot of violence against you, so why are the ghettos the most dangerous places to live?
-You have the United Negro College Fund.
-You have Martin Luther King Day.
-You have Black History Month.
-You have Cesar Chavez Day.
-You have Yom Hashoah-You have Ma'uled Al-Nabi
-You have the NAACP.-You have BET.
-If we had WET(white entertainment television) ...we'd be racist.
-If we had a White Pride Day... you would call us racist.
-If we had white history month... we'd be racist.-If we had an organization for only whites to "advance" our lives... we'd be racist.
-If we had a college fund that only gave white students scholarships...you know we'd be racist.
-In the Million Man March, you believed that you were marching for your race and rights. If we marched for our race and rights...you would call us racist.-Did you know that some high school students decided to make a club for only the white students because the other ethnicities had them... they all got sent to court for being racist but the african-american, Latino, and Asia clubs were not even questioned.
-You are proud to be black, brown, yellow and orange, and you're not afraid to announce it. But when we announce our white pride, you call us racists.
I am white.
I am proud.
But, you call me a racist.
Why is it that only whites can be racists?
Now watch, I'll be a racist for posting this
So what? no one will re post this for fear of being called racist
if they let this in noone can say anything about it cause it true

Seriously, if the officers were not in close enough proximity to the boy to see that the gun was fake, do you really think they were close enough to use mace?

And, my ancestors never owned slaves, so I do not owe black people ANYTHING!  Blacks have many opportunities handed to them that my children will never have.  Sadly, most are so busy complaining about "The White Man," they never take these opportunities.  Although I commend those that do take these opportunities to better themselves and their families.  To those that choose to belly ache and cry about what their ancestors had to endure, you are a shame.  Educate yourselves.  Everyone has hard times, past and present.  Everyone's ancestors had hard times.  Get over it.  Move on.  Try to do better.  Stop blaming those around you for your problems.  You are responsible for your future.

Right on, Dave.  We would not just be called racist, we would all be sued for daring to be proud of OUR heritage.

My heart goes out to the Farrow's family I can not even think of the pain that you're in. It hurts me to hear everything that is being said, but everyone has forgot that this is a child that died it doesn't matter that he was black he could have been purple it is a child that will not bless our world he may of turned out to be lawyer or anything that his heart could of dreamed up.   I really hate that the race card was pulled why can't it be about a young man that was killed.  The only thing I can say about the officer is that he has to live with the fact that he killed a 12 year old child. No matter how much everyone boycotts and screams about racism  it will not bring that child back it will not stop that mother from hurting.

My heart goes out to the Farrow's family I can not even think of the pain that you're in. It hurts me to hear everything that is being said, but everyone has forgot that this is a child that died it doesn't matter that he was black he could have been purple it is a child that will not bless our world he may of turned out to be lawyer or anything that his heart could of dreamed up.   I really hate that the race card was pulled why can't it be about a young man that was killed.  The only thing I can say about the officer is that he has to live with the fact that he killed a 12 year old child. No matter how much everyone boycotts and screams about racism  it will not bring that child back it will not stop that mother from hurting.

Just wanted to set one more thing straight.  This incident happened at 10pm.  I am not sure where 2am came from, and I am sure not saying it makes it right.  I just want the facts to be correct.  
Side note:  It was completely dark before 9pm tonight.

Mike, Dave you all sound very ingnorant seems like its hate with you all, not racism.  You probably don't even like yourself let alone blacks. The  issue isn't race because you don't owe me anything as well as me owing you something, but its sounds like you are giving the officer a pat on the back for murdering an innocent child did you see his picture and how innocent he is, well his character was that same way innocent.  For the record it was 10:00p.m. not 2:00 a.m. get the facts before you can judge and the neighborhood is not a high crime level, and if it was it still doesn't give a person the right to play god, and take someones life. the child was visiting his aunt.  Have you been to the scene its plenty of light in that area and the officer is suppose to be so well trained that he should have known better, and also the toy gun was in the boys pants not pointed at the officer. And you call us animals you are acting like trash right about know for letting something so stupid come out you mouth like that.   I don't know how you can call yourself a father, you sound as if you have no remorse or are you just retarted. Put yourself in the place of Deaunta's mother what if it was your son.

ur right i have no remorse   whatever if it was my son and a cop said to stop and he didn't well its in gods hands then but i would have told him to obay the police. We as people give cops the right to do what it takes to defend them self and us but people have forgot about that huh fed up. You look after ur kind and that's it so it is you that seems to be ignorant  now days cops white or black have no rights cause there the ones always in trouble  and for your info my son was killed in a drive by   by a black man  but i do not hold it against him cause he will get his in the end and my son is by his father

yea call me a racist and live with ur self mr.fed up

I think this whole thing has gotten out of hand.  No one really knows the specifics on this situation because no one has drawn out a time line with the details such as what time it really was and where the gun was, etc.  Did the other officer have his gun drawn, did he feel threatened enough to pull his weapon?  That alone would answer a lot of questions.  I do agree that there wouldn't be the stink there is if the officer and child had been the same race but regardless, there is a child dead and a lot of people morning the loss of his life.  However, it isn't like crime is hard to come by in or around Memphis.  A 12 year-old child is old enough to know not to carry any weapon that looks remotely real (gun, knife, grenade, whatever) and especially not to have it where anyone could see it and feel threatened by it.  I find it very hard to believe that this child's toy gun was in his pocket when the officer shot him.  There was a blerb on the 6:00 news tonight about why didn't the cop shoot to disable him instead of kill him.  Anyone who has any training in the use of guns for self-defense has been taught that you don't pull that gun unless you intend to use it and you don't use it to slow a person down or disable them, you use it to kill them.  If I felt like my life was in danger enough to pull my gun on someone, I can guarantee you I'm not going shoot him/her in the leg so they can still shoot, I'm going to shoot where I know odds are the person won't be able to shoot when he/she hits the ground.  This doesn't just apply to guns.  Any other self-defense weapon (knives, martial arts or the weapons used in martial arts) hold the same standard, they are all deadly weapons to be used to the best of your ability to protect yourself, your family or your belongings.  I also wonder where was this child's family and what was the kid doing outside at 10:00 at night (or whatever time it was) with any toy that could be misconstrued as a real weapon?  What was the child doing up to the point of the shooting?  I highly doubt he was taking a nice stroll down the sidewalk minding his own business.  Something attracted the officer to him in the first place.  Cameron, can you answer any of these questions and could the media please try to educate the public as to how the whole thing really played out

Sick of stupidity are so fucking stupid you and Dave. Black people never said that you or your dam family owned slaves and you are so dam lucky i wasn't a dam slave because i would have whiped your ass on the back and made you work in the hot ass cotton fields. You just lucky and no one is asking you or your family for *** and it is your fault that your children do not have ***!!!!!! now yall are trying to put black people down for having something and making something of their life and making more money yall thats why yall are mad

You call me ****", "dirty water you think it's OK....But when I call you cracker, crystalmeth head ,or a saltine you call me a racist
-You say that Blacks commits alot of violence aginist you so why is  the Ghetto the safest place to live

Sick of stupidity are so fucking stupid you and Dave. Black people never said that you or your dam family owned slaves and you are so dam lucky i wasn't a dam slave because i would have whiped your ass on the back and made you work in the hot ass cotton fields. You just lucky and no one is asking you or your family for *** and it is your fault that your children do not have ***!!!!!! now yall are trying to put black people down for having something and making something of their life and making more money yall thats why yall are mad

You call me ****", "dirty water you think it's OK....But when I call you cracker, crystalmeth head ,or a saltine you call me a racist
-You say that Blacks commits alot of violence aginist you so why is  the Ghetto the safest place to live

*** WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!? DONT EVER IN YO DAMN LIFE POST NO BULLSHIT LIKE THAT. WE DIDNT ASK YO RACIST ASS FOR ANYTHING AND BEFORE YOU GO RUNNING OFF AT THE MOUTH THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK. AND ANOTHER *** PLEASE DONT MAKE IT SEEM LIKE WE DONT WORK FOR WHAT IS OURS YO HOE ASS PUTTIN LIKE WE ALWAYZ ASKING FOR *** KEEP IN MIND HOE US AFRICAN AMERICANS "TRY" WITH ALL OUR MITE TO MAKE A HONEST LIVING AND PROVIDE FOR OUR FAMILIES!! YOU ARE A BEING VERY UNITELLIGENT! AND YOU CAN NOT TELL A AFRICAN AMERICAN TO THEIR FACE THAT WE ARE ALWAYZ COMPLAININ BOUT DA "WHITE MAN" !! PERSONALLY TO SUM IT ALL UP *** YOU AND DAT WHITE MAN!!! WHEN YOU KNOW HOW POST SUMTHING REFERRING TO THE TOPIC THEN THAT'S WEN YO STUPID ASS WILL GET RESPECT FROM ME!!

You know, I am a black female and I can not believe the things that I have just read in here.  What is wrong with you people, a child is dead!  What if the mother, father, aunts, bothers, grandmother read this very stupid stuff that was written by dave, bob, etc.  How would you feel if you just buried your child and was being targeted with racist comments as it was the parents or even the child fault that he was shot.  I too am very angry about what happened in Knoxville because I have a heart which is red, not black or white.  Get it together people!

Keeping it real     do you mind speaking/writing in the english language.  Im sure you were taught that while you were in school, that is if you even went.  And Im almost  very sure no one in there right mind would wont respect from you, when you don't have enough respect for yourself or anyone else.  No one is putting any one down for working and  trying to do better for themselves and there families.  Its the thugs, gang members, and crack heads that sit around drinking, druging, and having babies one right after the other and cant remember what baby belongs to who (that my hard earned tax money is paying for) that's what is so sickening.  If you will look around most of the shootings and stabbings and violance is black on black, but that is never a big issue.  But let a white person get thrown in the mix and god for bid it is now a race war.  

Sarabeth, the last time I watched Murry, most people trying to determine the father of their child was white.  Also, before you state something about a person education, you should perform a spell check on your writing....the correct spelling of wont is want respect......

I understand where you all are coming from but how are we suposed to stay on topic and the only thing
you guys are doing is criticizing each others comments???

about time someone put her in her place because im getting fed up with people trying to correct me!this comment page was not
made
for ingorant people to sit here and criticize my opinions!!!

MR.FED UP, I RESPECT YOUR OPION BUT DAVE YOU NEED
SOME SERIOUS HELP. IT'S NOT THAT I DONT RESPECT YOUR OPINION BUT LOOK AT HOW YOU ARE STATING IT.

This is so crazy.  Please do not get me wrong (for those who cannot understand proper English, I'll try once more), I do not have a lot of money or anything.  However, my children have more than enough.  They are loved, clothed, well cared for, and their parents know where they are and what they are doing at all times.  They are also more educated than most children years older.  By my earlier comments, I meant that my children will never be offered a free education because of the color of their skin.  They will never have groceries, health insurance, even homes handed to them because of their heritage.  Get a clue.  THAT is what was meant by those comments.  I say more power to those who LEGALLY make more money than my family.  I do not have any problems with these people: white, black, etc.  However, those that make their living illegally, those I have problems with.  To announce that I am a "crytal meth head" is just wild.  If I were a dope addict or a dope dealer, I would adore people that make illegal money.  Remember we talked about logic and intelligence before?  Please don't get me wrong, call me a "cracker" or a "saltine."  It matters not one whit to me.  I am white, very white...pale, even.

And I am not even sure how to repond to some of the postings, as I have no idea what they say.  I know, understand and write in English.  If you would like to converse with me, please do the same.  BTW, Stay on the Topic, it is "Maury," not "Murry."  I could continue correcting your posting, but I do not have the time or the inclination to try to help someone who does not want to be helped.  Although, I think you should think twice before dogging people for something that you obviously have not grasped yourself.  Yes, I mean spelling, grammar, the English language.

And to the threats mentioned above, I don't really have to say much.  Although, I will say, do you honestly wonder why there are more crimes in the are you live in and people think so low of you when you spout things like that?  And you do not even know me.  I mean, threats of violence are for people who cannot think of anything intelligent to say.  I'm sorry that you fall into that category.  Good luck getting yourself out of that category.

Also, I want to say that the Farrow family, the Sammis family, and the entire West Memphis community are in my prayers every day.  I hate that these events have transpired.  I am very saddened by this.  However, I do believe that more than one side of each story should be heard.  I simply got sick of only hearing the one side.  That it is why I spoke out.  I am not racist.  I have black friends.  There are quite a few black people that I greatly admire.  Just as there are white people that grate my nerves.  I simply cannot tolerate ignorance, be it from a person of color or from a "cracker".  There is white trash, as well as black.  There are great black people, as well as white.  Although I have noticed that the more educated and better off a black person is, the more they get put down by the black community as a whole.  Let a black person befriend a white person, and speak in an educated voice, they will surely be told they are betraying their heritage and "their people".  

To Sick of Stupidity---I too can correct your posting and spelling, but have chosen not to.  I will just pray that all things become right.

YOU DONT SEEM TO GET THE TOPIC, WE ARE SUPOSED TO BE DISCUSSING FARROW NOT HEALTH INSURANCE(I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE MAKING AN EXAMPLE) BUT DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT HIS MOTHER WOULD RATHER READ SOMETHING ABOUT EXAMPLES???

NO!!! AND YOU SHOULD BE VERY ASHAMED OF YOURSELF BECAUSE ONCE AGAIN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT NONE OTHER THAN YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CHILDREN. MRS. FARROW DOESNT GET TO DO THAT NOW!! DONT BE SO SELFISH!!!

FOR THE INTERIM, WE DID ASK YOU TO CORRECT EVERTHING WE SAY!!! AND SINCE YOU WANT TO BE SO INTELLIGENT, THINK ABOUT THIS: INTELLIGENT STATE THEIR OPINIONS ON FIRST HAND NOT SECOND HAND!

AND IF YOU DONT HAVE THE SLIGHTEST INITATIVE OF WHAT THAT MEANS THEN YOU ARE NOT INTELLECTUAL!!!

AND I DONT HEED ABOUT YOU CORRECTING MY POST

"MISS SICK OF HER OWN IDIOCY"

To Sick of Stupidity---change of mind-----1st of all I posted my comments asking for healing--you come back targeting my spelling, grammer, etc.  You have many mis-spelled words, broken english, etc. in your posting.  Most people that state I have Black Friends, feel as though that does not make them a racist...I guess you feel the same.  I wonder if I did not announce that I was black would you have???

I agree Cancer---all she is talking about is her self...as far as I am concern she was not raised in England, therefore she is not the subject matter expert for English. 2nd my comments were addressed to Sarabeth, and then she making many errors in her comments, I hope you are not a school teacher Miss. Stupid!

I WONDER WHY THIS DUMB WOMAN IS ACTLUALLY PROUD OF HERSELF FOR CORRECTING OTHERS OPINIONS,GRAMMAR, AND ENGLISH.  AND DONT YOU DARE CORRECT ME IF YOU DONT EVEN HAVE YOUR GRAMMAR, AND ENGLISH IN ORDER.

YEAH,ALL MOST LEFT THIS OUT: I BET YOU DIDNT KNOW THAT PEOPLE WHO KNOW HOW MANY BLACK FRIENDS THEY HAVE ON EXACT AMOUNT,ARE 9 TIMES OUT OF 10 ARE....RACIST.  
NOW PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK BECAUSE YOU JUST LEARNED SOMETHING NEW BASED ON A COMMON LAW.

I will not be posting more on here, simply because you people are ignorant.  I get headaches reading such idiocy and stupidity.  I hope that you educate yourselves in the future.  That will make West Memphis a better place.  That will help you see less of the police.  I hope someone can say something that helps you to understand the truthfulness of this situation.  Good luck to those with half a brain.

you are just as ignorant as some of us on here now stupid ass hoe!!!!! you need to get a muthafuckin life with yo
dumb,uneducated,racist ass!!!!  you act as if we are going to miss a minute of sleep because you dont want to post anything else on here!!!! and good luck finding yo broke
ass some STERN
help!!!!

Cameron - can you delete all of these postings of people being rude and judgemental of each other?  About 90% of the postings on this blog don't have anything to do with what it was created for.  I believe the intent was to see how the community was reacting to the situation and get some feedback about how people are feeling about the situation, not argue about education and race.

Before posting stuff on these blogs, please think about how the family members feel on both sides of this issue.  They still have to go on with their lives too.

Thanks too the people who know what  i am saying but too the people with negative comments get god in ya life.

Officer Sammis, many are praying for you and your family.  This story has been too one-sided.  Of course the mother of the deceased child is grieving.  I am sure that you, too, are grieving but few seem to care.  I care for you and your family.  May God grant you peace and comfort.  Lean on Him.  He cares for you.

ALL of you Disgrace this child  memory and the officer by arguing  and bickering like children. None Of us know what happened that night so who are we to stand in judgement. You are using this child's death and this officer as excuses to fuel your ignorance and hatred. Ignorance, and racism comes in all colors. This has turned into a media circus all of you have forgotten about the people suffering  So  sad.  RACISM IS UNACCEPTABLE IN ANY RACE. Let's leave the childish behavior to the kids shall we?This is a public room and anyone can voice opinion whether you like it or not but atlleast respect each other's right. THANK YOU

To Amber i respect your opinion and personal thoughts.

"Let no man pull you low enough to hate him. Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."  Martin Luther King jr

FOR PATRICA AND LAURA

I UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE COUPLE THING. BUT LAURA THAT KKK THING WAS JUST INAPPROPRIATE FOR YOU AS AN ADULT TO SAY.

IN CASE YOU DIDNT KNOW,THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IS FOR ALL RACES NOT JUST
AFRICAN AMERICANS!

FOR THE RECORD THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT DIDNT HARM INNOCENT PEOPLE, THEY
HELPED MAKE A CHANGE UNLIKE THE KKK!!!!

YOU MAKE YOURSELF SOUND BOORISH WHEN YOU SAY THINGS LIKE THAT.

I AS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN KNOWS THAT AL SHARPTON AND JESSE JACKSON ARE JUST TRYING TO HELP US.

APPARENTLY YOU DONT KNOW THAT AND PERSONALLY NOW BECAUSE OF SO MUCH TECHNOLOGY, NO ONE IS AFRAID OF YOU OR THE KKK!!!

PEOPLE I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU ARE PUTTING YOUR PERSONAL ISSUE IN FRONT OF DEAUNTAE FARROW AND HIS FAMILY!  TODAY IS JULY 7 2007 THE NUMBER SEVEN IS THE NUMBER OF COMPLETION, IN THE NAME OF JESUS IT ALREADY DONE. AS FAR AS THE RACIAL THING THAT STUFF IS OLD AND STUPID WE ARE ALL TRYING TO MAKE IT IN THIS HELL HOLE(IF YOU ALL HAVEN'T NOTICE THIS IS NOTHING BUT THE TRICK OF THE ENEMY THAT HAS GOT EVERYBOBY IN SUCH TURMOIL).  IF WE ALL WOULD JUST LET GOD TAKE CONTROL I ASSURE YOU HE WILL HAVE THE LAST SAY SO NOT YOU, YOU, YOU AND YOU..........................

GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAVE A BLESS LIFE IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING

Some of you have come to certain conclusions about what happened that night. We only know what has been reported in the news papers and one the news. both sides have conflecting stories. If the officer gets charged and goes to court, then the 12 people who make up the jury will judge the truth of each side. Now for a thought,what if the officer was a black officer, and the little boy was a white 12 year old child that was killed would you be on that officer's side. Keep in mind that there are black officers on the force, and if it is found to be policy then the black officers will be able to shoot white 12yr old children carring toy guns. Just food for thought

CAMERON....
I've made comments on some of your other pages and you censored my words...which didn't bother me.

But when you kept me from calling Pais Hilton a "Little Rich ***" and let "God forgive me and eyewitness news" say *** several times, then you might as well open the whole blog up to everybody's ***!!!!!

Oh yeah....you redneck assholes need to give the blacks that come in here a chance to voice their opinions to.

I think Cameron set this up so you could voice your opinions...not fight the damn civil war again.

One more thing....RIGHT ON HALLIE!!!!

Censor if you like....I ain't comiin' back to check it....

Red, yellow, black & white, we are precious in HIS sight.
OH how forgetful we are as to WHO made us & to WHO's watching us.

I have a simple question that I would like to ask from the people who have previously posted.  How many of you actually live in West Memphis?  I'm trying to get an idea here & I need your help.  Thanks

I live in West Memphis.

Thank you for answering.  I live in West Memphis too & it just amazes me at how so many people who don't even live here can voice their opinions so strongly.  West Memphis is a different kind of town.  It's big enough to where you have a variety of things, yet small enough to know what everyone else is doing.  For those of you who do not live in West Memphis & who are trying to tell us how to live, act & do, please don't.  Because all you know is what you're hearing about in the media & I promise you, they are only letting you see what they want you to see.  They want controversy, turmoil & for more to report on & you are only fueling the fire more.  Don't take the bait, be better than that.  

If you people hate the police so much, next time you're in trouble call a crackhead.

You want the police there when you need them and far away when you are breaking the law. The "YOU" that I refer to means people in general. Blue, Black, Pink, Purple, White - whatever. These men and women put their lives on the line every day. I seriously doubt that this officer left his home the day of the incident and said "Hey, I wanna shoot and kill a black kid today."

Obviously, he felt that his life was threatened. People around here shoot at the police every other day, what would have made him believe that this person pointing a gun at him was not serious? Officers are trained to assess and disarm any threat to their lives, or the lives of their partners and the general public.

This is nothing but a tragic ACCIDENT. He should have complied with officers and gotten down like his cousin did. He didn't. He had a gun - toy or not there is no way for Sammis to know that at the time!!!!!!

My prayers are with the Farrow family as they deal with this terrible loss. My prayers are also always with those brave men and women who put their lives on the line to help save our lives - EVERY DAY!!!!!!!

Very well put!!!!!

Here is my comment to all of you people who want to make this a race issue.  Both black and white. ALL of you should be ashamed of yourselves to the fullest degree.  There is a boy that has lost his life.  He is gone never to return.  Now none of us know exactly what happened and why it happened. but instead of coming together as community and as christians all of you wish to take it back to 1964.  Well guess what folks it ain't 1964, but we see what the product of it is.  I am 27 years old.  I am a daughter of all of you people and to be honest  ALL of you make me sick.  Now let's look at the facts.  A black boy was killed by a white police officer in the south.  So the first thing we yell is that he is a racist.  Which maybe it is.  But where are all of you when the black officers kill our black children.  It's like that doesb't even matter.  And to the other side of the fence why get so defensive about it.  Because of the way you people think(born back in that time) you could see why it is what it is.

I challenge all of you to look within yourselves and look at how far you have not come.  All of you black and white are still closed minded.  And because of that  you will never go far in life.  You will contine to think that the "man"is holding back.  And you will always continue to think that those people think I owe them something.  And those people always want a hand out.

My heart hurts for this family.  And to that family.  Mourn your child and pray this does not happen to any other persons family.  But let's not turn this into a political manner.  Read the blogs, and that is what it has done.  Turned political.

And to the pastors you are to bring unity into the community both black and white.  You are not to divide.  You are to bring understanding to the community and not confusion.  You are to heal the community and not make it sick.  Please stop all of the confusion, all of you.  You are all making it worse than what it was in the first place.

"And all of these forces conjoined to cause the Negro to take a new look at himself. Negro masses, [Applause] Negro masses all over began to re-evaluate themselves, and the Negro came to feel that he was somebody. His religion revealed to him, [Laughter. Applause] his religion revealed to him that God loves all of his children, and that all men are made in His image, and that figuratively speaking, every man from a bass-black to a treble-white is significant on God's keyboard. [Applause]

So, the Negro can now unconsciously cry out with the eloquent poet,

Fleecy locks and black complexion

Cannot forfeit nature's claim.

Skin may differ, but affection

Dwells in black and white the same.

Were I so tall as to reach the pole

Or to grasp at the ocean at a span,

I must be measured by my soul

The mind is the standard of the man."

~ Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. - Speech at the Great March on Detroit

 23 June 1963, Detroit, Mich.

I rebuke you satan in the name of Jesus. You are bind from this blog! Amen!

I live in West Memphis on the other side of town from where this happened.  It is a tragedy to say the very least.  Since I wasn’t there, I will not say who was in the right that night.  I do know that I wouldn’t be a police officer in this area for no amount of money.  I know that this is a big deal because DeAunte was only 12, but in this day and age, these young kids have been know to carry weapons and have used them.  I have not once thought that this is a racial issue and I am appalled that race has even been considered here.  How sad that this boy’s death is being used to further some citizens lack of responsibility.  We have a curfew here for all kids to age 18.  That boy was supposed to be at home by 11pm.  That curfew is in place to keep younger kids off the streets and out of this kind of situation.  I am truly sorry for that families lose, but the parents have to take some of the blame here.  I’m a parent of teenagers and would never let my kids out on the street past their curfew.  I love my children and will protect them to the end weather they like it or not.    

LAURA I DONT THINK ITS THAT SERIOUS FOR YOU TO BE TRYNA BRING THE KKK INTO THIS BECAUSE I DONT THINK THAT WOULD HAPPEN. KKK, PLEASE US BLACK FOLKS WOULD BE GUNNING THEIR ASSES DOWN. SO I JUST DONT THINK YOU HAD TO TAKE IT THAT FAR BECAUSE YOU KNOW HOW BLACKS FEEL ABOUT THAT, YOU MIGHT AS WELL SAID THEY NEED TO BRING SLAVERY BACK (OH BUT THATS RIGHT I GUESS YOUR A WHITEY(CRACKER). THATS WHAT YOU WANT ANYWAY
YALL KEEP TALKN BOUT WHAT HAPPEN TO THAT COUPLE IN ARKANSAS BUT HELL WE CANT FEEL TO MUCH PITTY CUS HELL OUR ANCESTORS TOOK BEATINGS AND HANGINGS FROM THE WHITE FOLKS BUT I GUESS YOU WOULDNT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT. (WHITEY)

I AGREE WITH "IN THE MIDDLE" I ALSO AM A RESIDENT OF WEST MEMPHIS AND KNOW THAT IT IS NOT A VERY SAFE PLACE. THE POLICE ARE RISKING THEIR LIVES EACH DAY THEY PUT ON THAT UNIFORM. I DON'T THINK THE OFFICER WAS IN THE WRONG FOR WHAT HE DID. JUST BECAUSE HE WAS WHITE, THE STINK WAS STARTED. DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT HOW THINGS WOULD HAVE BEEN IF THE BOY DID HAVE A REAL GUN AND SHOT AND KILLED THE OFFICER? THREE DAYS AFTER THE INCIDENT YOU WOULD NOT HEAR ABOUT ANYMORE, BUT INSTEAD THIS IS STILL GOING ON!!! THE BLACK PEOPLE OF WEST MEMPHIS ARE THE ONES WHO ARE MAKING THIS TO BE A RACIAL ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT ANYONE ELSE BUT I BELIEVE THAT IT IS TIME TO MOVE ON AND KNOW THAT THE LITTLE BOY IS IN A BETTER PLACE AND BE CONFORTED WITH THAT.

Ms.A -- The couple was from Tennessee & maybe you need to look it up as to the details of what they did to that couple.  Would you have liked to have had that done to you?  I don't think so.  Also, your words of "us black folds would be gunning their asses down" sets such a fine wonderful example as to why the police & people in general has such a problem in some areas of West Memphis because of people like you having that mentality.  WE did not do those things to your ancestors, but yet in your message it sounds like WE still owe the black community something.  Get out of the past, lady & take responsibility for your own actions.  Teach your kids what's right & what's wrong (according to the LAW) & you learn those laws yourself & crap like this wouldn't be happening.  Educate yourself, learn, don't cling to the past, because if you do, you'll never see the future & what it fully holds for you.

Mrs Don - VERY well put!

I guess we are just crazy to think the way we do. Thinking that these officers who go out there and risk their lives for us every day deserve our support must be insane....

To those who call this hero a murderer - shame on you! It is easy to sit there in your easy chair and say what you would have done. Being there, in the dark, with a gun pointed at you is a totally different place to be - a place that no one but that those who have actually been there can truthfully say what they would have done.

There is no black and white, only wrong or right.

This officer (though some may not want to believe it) was right. The facts will come out when the investigation is concluded. But it is SO sad that even then, those who don't want to believe the truth will still think that this whole thing is a race issue. - I am with "Sick of Stupdity" on this issue!

YOUR OFFENED BY MY STATEMENT CUS UR WHITE RIGHT
AND DONT TELL ME TO EDUCATE MYSELF U NEED TO DO THE SAME I CONSIDER MYSELF TO BE WELL EDUCATED. I WAS SPEAKING TO THE OTHERS THAT MADE THE DUMB COMMENT ABOUT BRINGING BACK THE KKK. SOUNDS LIKE YOU AGREE AND LIKE I SAID WE WOULD BE GUNNING THEY WHITE ASSES DOWN. *** U AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAS SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT WHAT I STATED. *** THE KKK AND THE DUMB BULLSHIT. THIS WENT FROM A LITTLE BOY BEING SHOT TO SOME OTHER BULLCRAP. AND I DIDNT SAY THAT THE WHITES OWE ME NOTHING CUS I COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THAT. SO STAY OFF MY BACK.

To "Sick of Stupidity" and others alike.  Who cares that your children are well eduacted and will never get a "hand out" so you say.  I am speaking to African AMericans as well.  It's funny that none of you give tWo shits about that woman that lost her child.  You are all jumping the gun.  Go back and read your bibles and than go to church and beg for forgiveness,  All of you have taken this personally for some godforsaken reason.  But the funny thing is you can go home to your "eduacted, well dressed children" that woman can't.

I feel like I am watching an episode back from the 60's and 70's.  You people from back then would like to think that you all have changed mentally but the truth is all of you are just a bunch of racist biggits.  You people have not changed at all.  Again I am speaking to all of you.  Not just white people I am speaking to my people also.  Will all this drama be happening if it were a black police officer or better yet would all this drama be going on if the little boy were white.  All of you will be judged come your day.  And let's just hope God has sympathy on your souls unlike you all have for each other.

This country has been through disasters already, 911 and Katrina.  The problem is nothing has hit Memphis and surrounding areas.  Lets see then if you still give a damn about you kids being well educated and well dressed or will you think about coming together as a community.

West Memphis should mourn with Ms Farrow.  Not start division.  You people should be ashamed. You make me sick.  All of you.  And you call yourselves adults you sound like a whole bunch of senseless ass folks talkin about a whole bunch of nothing.  GROW UP.

i think we all need to take a step back because this is not about race this is about an officer who killed a 12 year old boy i don't care about the color alot of these post are just inhumane a child is dead by an officer who has gotten all type of awards for his firearms training and taking control of suspects without using his weapon. What happened here? I read someone posted he was not close enough to use his mace but did it take to shots from a shotgun? My father was an officer for years so I know they are trained on how to subdue suspects without deadly force and if that kid was that big of a threat why didn't his partner fire any shots why wasn't the kid told to drop his weapon shooting him should have been the last result. And thats just like a cold hearted person to blame the victim. This is a tragedy and so is what happen in Nashville but that doesn't make all whites bad or all blacks but alot of you are showing your true colors. I am African American and I don't like wrong no matter who did it black or white and I don't think this officer did this on purpose but a child is dead at the hands of a trained professional not by some random person in the street but whats sad if he had been killed by another black person we would not be talking about this. Some of you are extreme talking about slavery and the KKK we all have our prejudices but why let a tragedy like this bring them to light if the races was reverse is niether here nor there lets just focus on the issue at hand and its not race!!!

Cameron:

The reporting from the television stations has, I think, been quite good given the circumstances. You have all been judicious to the same extent that WMPD has been capricious.

I cannot say I share your view of Mike Allen, but I've known the man for ten years. Things go well with him so long as you accept his word as you would the word of God. He does not feel obliged to comply with AFOIA requests. We spent the better part of six months getting a copy of one video tape. Only when we threatened suit did he finally comply and that, only after we sent notice of intent to Chief Paudert and the prosecuting attorney's office.

I'd like to comment about a shill for WMPD named Andrew Clark Senior on AM600.

I am told that he is a police officer and yet, if you listened to his show Wednesday he never once admitted to being one. He has claimed, at times, to be a journalist but I have to ask, don't you think as a journalist there is an ethical responsibility to disclose a detail like that?

Small wonder that, with an army of minicams parked outside his office, Paudert turned to AM600 to do an interview, then cancelled it at the last minute.

I know I said I was not going to comment on here again, but I simply cannot help myself.  I just want to say that I would feel much sorrier for Ms. Farrow had she not filed a $5mil. law suit against these people, who have not even been proved guilty of anything yet.  It is simply ludicrous.  To those of you who think that your children are priceless, apparently DeAunta Farrow was worth $5,000,000.  Apparently, $5,000,000 will help Ms. Farrow's grief.  Ms. Farrow has not tried to change whatever it was that she thinks is the reason her son died, she simply wants the dough is passing is going to bring.  Brings new life to saying "People having babies to get money."  

Let's back track.  I am still postive that when the investigation results are released, Sgt. Sammis will have no charges brought against him.  However, the results have NOT been released.  Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty?  Well, not here in West Memphis, folks.  No, here Sgt. Sammis will be viewed as guilty even after proven otherwise.  That is the truth.

This slavery, KKK stuff is ridiculous.  This is not about race.  And, if facts were told, do you think anyone would have been able to identify DeAunta Farrow's  body if he had been shot twice by a shot gun?  Come on.  It's not all that difficult.  Just think about the things being said to you.  First, we were told that others said DeAunta had no gun, just a Walkman.  Then, we hear he had a Coke and a bag of chips.  NOW, he did have a toy gun, just in is waistband.  And do you really think it was an accident that such an old picture is the one so widely shown of DeAunta?  Now, more recent pictures are surfacing.  My, what a difference in the way this kid looks.  He looked nothing like a kid the night he was shot.  Things have been twisted and portrayed in a way that does not even resemble the truth.  

I applaud those who stand up for the men and women who protect and serve us and our families every day.  My children will respect these people as much as my parents taught me to respect them.  It is a shame that there are people out here who talk so disrespectfully about those who would sacrafice their own lives to save them.  A pity.

"  Sick of Stupidity said:
I know I said I was not going to comment on here again, but I simply cannot help myself.  I just want to say that I would feel much sorrier for Ms. Farrow had she not filed a $5mil. law suit against these people, who have not even been proved guilty of anything yet.  It is simply ludicrous.  To those of you who think that your children are priceless, apparently DeAunta Farrow was worth $5,000,000.  Apparently, $5,000,000 will help Ms. Farrow's grief."

I agree and disagree.  First Javier Bailey - dope head - is after the money.  He can play on the racial animus and get a payday.  I am sure the parents want a payday - I mean why not?  I am sure they also want the truth.

The rules of evidence in Civil Court are much broader.  The mother will get to sit across from the officer (and his partner) and have her attorney question him - something she otherwise would have no right to.  I WOULD WANT TO DO THAT!!

I think we will never know the truth of this incident.  Certainly it will never come out from the involved parties.

The facet of this whole incident that really upsets me is the unfairness.  In the past ten years in the Memphis area ONE child playing with a toy gun has been killed by police.  That is one too many mind you, but in the same period, there have been roughly ELEVEN TO TWELVE HUNDRED people (largely young black men) killed largely by young black men.  I CANNOT BELIEVE THE BLACK COMMUNITY CAN SIT THERE AND CLAIM OUTRAGE AND IGNORE THE THOUSANDS OF DEAD BODIES THAT ARE PILING UP IN THE MEMPHIS AREA.

WHERE IS THE REAL PROBLEM.

THE HYPOCRISY IS SO OUTRAGEOUS IT GIVES A GLIMPSE OF THE DENIAL THAT IS RAMPANT IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

These black racists who are stirring up a frenzy over ONE child are not even confronted with this fact.  It is not even spoken.  

WHO ARE THE REAL KILLERS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES?

If the officer over-reacted (very possible) he did so because of the MIND BLOWING STAGGERING VIOLENCE we see committed on a daily basis in BY YOUNG BLACK MALES!!!!

Where has the outrage been?  Is Stevie Moore the only black man who is outraged?

The racist (and homophobic) comments from blacks this blog are not even called for what they are RACIST.  That needs to change - at least on the blogs.  

WARNING - Do not threaten that delusion in person - you would get assaulted, and the offender would get a free pass.

Instead of this childs mother suing Erik for doing his job (which is a dangerous one by the way) I think Erik should sue her for allowing her child outside after curfew and for putting Erik in this kind of position he was put in. Erik had one second after seeing this child point a gun at him to make a decision of whether he went home to his family or got shot by this kid and his family never see him again. This kid is 12 years old and knew better than to point a gun at anyone especially a police officer. Erik did not know it was a toy gun im quite sure or he wouldn't have fired at the boy. From what I understand there are children younger than the age of 12 in gangs and with guns. If this had been a white child, we would have never heard a word about it in the news or otherwise. And Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton sure wouldn't be here fighting for the white childs rights. This is not about that child, this is all about politics and race. I live in Memphis and everytime something happens to one of our politicians that are black..they immediately yell racism because they dont know any other way to get out of the mess they got their self into. I hate that this child died but I blame his mother for not knowing where he was or what he was doing, not Erik for being in fear of being shot by this child and having to do what he did and shoot him. I blame the mother because she is responsible for her child not everyone else. This is just a sad sad situation and unfortunately two families are hurting because of this.

MsA -- I refuse to let you drag me into the hole that you have yourself in.  Yes I am white, but you are way wrong about my perception of the black community.  I will say that I agree with you, it has went from a little boy getting shot to a bunch of bullcrap.  As far as bringing in the KKK, they can stay where ever the hell they are.  NO, I don't want them here, most of them are a bunch of dumb asses anyway.  SO, I think that there was some misinterpretation on both sides of our blogs.  I will admit it & I apologize for the misreading.  

Tim,

I appreciate your comments.  First, though, let me just say that "parents" in this situation is not the word to use.  DeAunta's father did not have anything to do with the child, until it got him attention when he died.  His mother was the only parent in the boy's life.  And I don't necessarily disagree with lawsuits being filed in situations where someone is grossly wrong.  However, in a situation like this, I think that the investigation's findings should be released before a suit is filed.  And I do not think that there is any reason for a suit.  Yes, I am VERY close friends with someone close to this situation in the WMPD, I am related to and friends with several CCSO deputies and employees, as well as friends with MPD officers and employees.  I know that Ms. Farrow will get the chance to talk to Sammis after the investigation findings have been released, face to face.  However, there is nothing that Sammis can tell her until the investigation is over.  That is just the way things go.

I agree, there are many things people in this city should be outraged over.  The community should have come together a long time ago over the violence.  Had that happened, the officers would not have been staking the place out that night.

I think that there are many people, white and black, who should educate themselves.  It simply grates on my nerves to see people who are consciously ignorant, which is a lot of people in West Memphis.  With all of the opportunities offered in our society, no one should go without at least a high school education.  

And because of the ignorance in parts of our city, if any one comes along who sounds as if they have half a brain, people follow them like cult followers.  They do not have to REALLY make sense, as long as they can sound somewhat logical while telling these people they are right in their feelings and actions.

Yes, I know more about this case than the general public, not just heresay that people who were not even there have spread.  I am certain that when the FACTS of this case are released, those who can see the situation for what it was will see that Sammis is not guilty of any wrong doing.

"However, in a situation like this, I think that the investigation's findings should be released before a suit is filed.  And I do not think that there is any reason for a suit. "

I don't either but if it was my child I wouldn't leave it up to the police to police themselves.  I would want to know.

I cannot justify frivolous lawsuits but I have to say I would want to hear the words right out of the officers mouth.  The only way that is happening is if she sues.  

The criminal thing is that even if the cop is justified she will "recover".

I suppose because I am so close to the police, I have a hard time admitting much wrong.  However, I do not think the FBI or AR State Police will be covering for this West Memphis officer.  Saying that the WMPD is trying to "cover this up" when they immediately turned the investigation over to the two above mentioned agencies, is a bit ridiculous, I think.  WMPD was put between a rock and a hard place, as was Sammis that night.  No matter what either did, people will complain and call them corrupt.  There is no way to make everyone happy.  Each did what they deemed best for the situation at the time.  I agree.  I am proud to have these men and women riding down my streets and watching my house.  I appreciate the time spent away from their families.  And I appreciate the rare courage it takes for an individual to put their life on the line everday and make life and death, split second decisions.  My hat is off to these men and women, including Jimmy Evans and Erik Sammis.

I agree, Tim.  There is no way to win in a situation like this.  It will be a long time before we hear the end of this.  And during it all, very few people will actually be focusing on or mourning Farrow's death; just seeking attention.  This whole thing is very sad...all the way around.

tell yall what if ya think the office is to blame dont call 911 for the police to help if anything happens to ya.yall need to wake the f**k up and give cops the respect they earn from us

SICK OF STUPIDITY:

WOULD YOU BE THIS UNDERSTANDING IF IT WERE YOUR CHILD.  PUT ALL THE BS ASIDE AND YOUR PERFECT PARENTING SKILLS THAT YOU CLAIM TO HAVE.  BETTER THAN MS.FAROWS ANYWAY.  OR LET'S EVEN PIT YOUR PRECIOUS KIDS IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME.  IN A PRETTY SAFE ENVIRONMENT.  AND LETS JUST SAY THAT YOU PRECIOUS CHILD WAS ACCIDENTALLY KILLED.  WOULD YOU BE THIS UNDERSTANDING, WOULD YOU BE THIS PASSIONATE ABOUT DEFENDING THE ONE PERSON THAT TOOK YOUR CHILDS LIFE?

YOU ARE ASSUMING MS.FARROW'S CHARACTER JUST LIKE THESE PEOPLE ARE DOING WITH THE POLICE OFFICER.  I TAKE NO SIDES, I BLAME BOTH SIDES.  THERE ARE THINGS THE PARENTS COULD HAVE DONT TO PREVENT THIS AND THERE ARE THINGS THE POLICE OFFICER COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENT THIS.  

BUT PLEASE ASK YOURSELF THAT QUESTION AND THEN MAYBE YOU COULD LEARN NOT TO ATTACK A PERSON WHO COULD NEVER GET HER CHILD BACK.

I THINK THAT WAS A LOW BLOW EVEN FOR YOU

I believe in this case as is in many cases like this that certain information pertaining to an investigation are not made public so as to build a stronger case for or against an individual, building a case takes time and rest assured MPD are putting together a strong case to support the officers employment with them as well as using his personel file to paint a picture of his actions that night, each and every "note" in his file will be a part of this investigation. As an officers wife I am not using my full name but instead my initials and hope that it will be enough to approve my post.
I am going to ask the question of: if this boy had in fact a real gun as so many folks that LEO's deal with daily do, and God forbid used the gun on one of the officers involved as so many do daily, killing him and leaving his wife and children alone as is often the case daily, would folks there in Memphis be as outraged? these toy guns are so striking in similarity and are often used to commit crimes for this reason alone, I can see how it would have been confused as a real gun (especially at night in the dark) and for the life of me I cannot see how so many cannot see and understand this, I feel for the boy and his family but the officer just did not have the time to wait to determine if the gun was real or fake and believe me, an officer ever having to take anothers life, especially that of a child is an officers worst nightmare come true but in this day and age, our officers are often forced to make split minute decisions that will unfortunately end either their lives or another's. Dont hate the officers, hate the crime. And reporting so negatively and pointedly is hurting our officers and the communities in which they work in everyday so please, be a little less one sided when reporting, y'all dont realize the impact that your having and dont seem to remember that an officer is more than just an officer, he is also a father and a husband, a son and a brother, a friend, a coach, a volunteer at the local YMCA, a Soldier, a neighbor and a parishioner at our local Baptist church and will be sadly missed. Everyday I tell my husband goodbye and wait for the knock on my door for when it comes, note that I said WHEN it comes because im always prepared, always expecting the worst but hoping for the best because someday my husband may have to lay down his life for yours so that you can go home that day to your wife and children, being a cop is hard but being a cops wife is even harder.

I thought that perhaps folks might like to see just how many officers lives are lost every yr, the number is much lower than the lives that officers take every yr. Please notice just how many lives are taken, by children under the age of 18.
http://www.policeone.com/officer-down/

Dear Confused,

You judge me so quickly.  I never said that I am a perfect parent, or that my children are perfect.  I try my best every day to be a good parent and to better my parenting skills and to raise well-adjusted, well behaved, sweet children.  

Having said that, would I be going to bat for Sammis if Farrow were my child?  No, I would probably not be AS gung ho for the man.  HOWEVER, I would find it completely logical that if my child pointed a gun at a police officer, said child would get shot.  Would I be devestated?  Absolutely.  Would I blame the officer.  Well, no.  He or she wants to go home every night also.  Cops do not become cops to die in the line of duty, although they will die to protect and serve.  I would not be filing some idiotic law suit because my child did not do as the police told him and pointed a gun, fake or not, at said officer.  That on a higher level of idiocy than I have been able to acheive.  

And, yes, I have made comments about Ms. Farrow.  And I stand behind every one of them.  If my child were killed in a similar situation, as much as it would hurt, I would have to take responsibility for my actions.  That is how my parents taught me.  You don't go blaming every one else for things.  Is it tragic that she will never see her son on this earth again?  Well, yeah.  I never said anything contrary.  Although, simply having a tragedy in your life does not make every thing you have ever done ok.  If someone drives down the road with their child not in a car seat, get into a wreck, and the child dies; is that person void of any responsibility just because their child died?  No, even while grieving, that parent would be charged.  I am sorry for Ms. Farrow, but I think the same applies here.  I am not saying she should necessarily be charged of a crime, but she should own up to her mistakes.

And I think the community gathering around her like she did not play a part in this and it is simply the big, bad, white, racist cop that did anything wrong, is wrong.  It is delusional.  

So I am sorry that you do not agree with me.  But I never asked anyone to agree with me.  These are MY opinions, just as you have your opinions.  And although you seem to think so, I am not attacking Ms. Farrow.  I am stating my views and feelings.  Most of my sympathy vanished for this woman when she filed her law suit.  And I feel that when you put yourself out there as Ms. Farrow has done, you are asking for the public to judge you.  It is the same as celebrities.  So, if she gets her feelings hurt from people expressing their opinions, maybe she should not bask in such a bright spot light.

And, by the way, I hope everyone named in that law suit sues her for defamation and anything else possible.  Good luck to all of the defendants named.  They will all be in my prayers.

Please stop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fact:  Most uneducated blacks are DEPENDENT, conditioned, materialistic consumers wanting to be like the white WASP culture.  Additionally, blacks are their own worst enemy via greed, jealousy and materialism amongst themselves.  Whites hyped the Cadillac 20 years before most blacks could afford them.  Once the blacks could afford them, the whites starting driving BMWs, Mercedes Benzs, etc., (trying to be like the whites and renting an apartment) with no desire to be around them.  Whites will spill the religious garb strictly out of guilt and do not want to attend the same church with blacks.  What the hell is wrong with that picture???

Fact:  Most uneducated whites are racist, spiteful, hypocritical people who allow there children to rule them.  They do not want black educators disciplining their children and they have caused this nation to be in the toilet.  Integration of schools did blacks and minorities a major injustice.  Whites have ran with their children to private schools just to avoid being around minorities.

Now, to my point.

This is an ugly mess because the 'good ole bubba network'  in West Memphis had this rogue cop on the force with all these integrity issues and he fouled up in a major way.   The police chief and the mayor didn't attend the funeral, what a dumb-ass move.  It really showed the intelligence level and lack of sensitivity of the brass, pure stupidity...

The dumb chief is standing firm behind his cop, ready to fall on the sword.   I hope he and the entire city government are flushed for their actions or lack of actions.  

Why can't we all get along?  That's a quote from the dummy in California.  Do your research and learn to live with different people.  A trip out of Arkansas would probably do you all good.  That doesn't mean go to Tunica or the Tennessee Smoky Mountains.   Take an international trip and open your hearts and eyes upon arrival....

Why would ANYBODY from the WMPD attend the funeral when death threats are being placed against those that work for the department?  By the way, the FARROW FAMILY REQUESTED THAT NO WHITES COME TO THE FUNERAL ANYWAY!!!!!!!!!!!

$125 million is this *** crazzzzzzzzzzzy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  heck i wouldnt even ask that much for my son. now the dead beat lost out dad wants in on the money this is messed up.   if farrow really belived in god like she says  she would know god has a plan and everybody will die when he says its time so she wouldnt want that much money  man she full of it   again DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

it is apalling to me that adults would be on this subject and acting like they are in a black and white ufc free for all. i am of cherokee indian decent. my ancestors were murdered, lied to, robbed, and then put on reservations that they were not allowed to leave , that was really a banishing of their kind from mainstream civilization. Yes, they too committed horendous crimes that i do not condone in retaliation. The white man took the very people who really founded the natural civilazation, hanged them, shot them, raped their women, and totally dimantaled their lives homes. In turn to this day they are still on reservations, drowning in poverty, alcoholism due to depression, and completley discriminated against in this so called modern society, but hey you don't hear anything about that in the news. But hey, at least i qualify for an acre of land and a free horse that i can add to my will and pass on to my children. This was a horrendous tragedy and their are several people at fault.

i am amazed that anyone who is a parent can say that the mother is the blame, she should have raised him not to point a gun at the police.  do you people think that blacks raise their kid to not respect the police and not to obey the law because it don't apply to them.  as i read these blogs i am more and more reminded of the movie mississippi burning and all the hateful things that was said.  maybe the friend of the police can tell me the reason sammis stoped the kids, or how was it that it was to dark to see that it was a child but it was enough light to see a toy gun. was it red, green, or white.  the truth is this, sammis, evans, and a host officers have been using kids to sell their drugs, accepting payments from corner stores and allowing them to sell what ever to whom ever in these areas and it has been until now being covered up by higher officers ie allen.  sammis and evan saw a window of oppatunity to elimanate someone who they though could I D them and
had not been for someone running over to see what had just happen i feel that the cousin would not be here today.  so what did they do not call the family of the cousin but handcuff the child and took him to the police department without cause, and i can only imagine what sammis and evans said to the child on the way to the station and didn't allow his mother or father to see him for hours.  he must be scared out of his wit and having nightmare that would frighten some of you so called adults here on this blog.  so you can defend sammis all you want to because the truth will come out someday.

Y2K,
 I would like to know where you get your information about the cops using kids to sell drugs.  You seem to have a lot of hostility toward the police department and speak as though you have inside information.  Just curious!

Sammis will have to pay for what he did on judgement day and what ever we say or do now will not bring back the child, but we should get the truth of the matter so that we can prevent incidents such as this from happening again.  There are a lot of bad cops out there but there are a lot of good ones also. Those officers who were there should tell the truth and worry about their souls instead of the "Blue Brotherhood Code".  I am a good cop who would like to say that Erik Sammis has always been a hot tempered officer who has not been able to control himself in situations. He quit his job once when he got suspended and then came back appologizing for leaving.  In my opinion he should not have been hired back. It is easy to make mistakes when you are working under pressure and as an officer you have to make split second decisions because it may make the difference of your life or someone elses life if you f