Follow the law

When anybody dies from being shot, it is a tragedy no matter what race or nationality you are, but being shot by a police officer can be avoided 100 percent of the time.

First, do not commit a crime, but if you are confronted by a police officer, follow some simple rules: Listen carefully and obey, keep your hands in plain sight at all times, do not run or resist, do not talk unless the officer asks you to and do not tell them what to do or how to do it.

In a civil society, we all have to listen and obey at some point, and the police have the authority to arrest and question us. If you feel they are wrong, follow the above rules, then use the legal system to get it straight. You will be alive and able to use the system.

If everyone takes a close, honest look at the police shootings in the last few years, all of the deceased have broken at least one of the above rules.

Another thing that exacerbates the situation is politicians sticking their two cents in. President Obama and the governor of Minnesota want to blame the police or race instead of the person who did not follow the common sense rules of society. This senseless and unintelligent interference leads to lawlessness by giving the law breakers cover for their actions.

This story was originally published July 19, 2016 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Follow the law."