When Charlottesville police captured a man who, they say, came at them with a knife as they sought to disrupt an abduction attempt, perhaps it could be said that they were “just doing their jobs.”
But the success with which they did their jobs is worth a second look.
The rescue of a 17-year-old girl and apprehension of a suspect are impressive outcomes.
But we’re also impressed with what police did not do, as well as with what they did.
City police report that, on the afternoon of Aug. 1, they answered a call to a hotel on Emmet Street on a report of a possible abduction.
They located the suspect, identified at Kenneth Wayne George, 46, from Grottoes. When they tried to apprehend him, they said, he threw a trash can at them and then charged them with a knife.
“As officers avoided him, George reportedly shouted, ‘Shoot me,’” The Daily Progress said (Aug. 2 online, Aug. 3 in print).
When officers did not fire, George stabbed himself in the chest.
Officers then used a Taser to subdue him. George fell to the ground and “continued to injure himself, but officers were able to stop him and restrain him,” according to police.
No one was injured — other than George, who inflicted his own wounds.
The rescue of the young woman from a possibly horrendous crime is the most important outcome of this encounter.
But look at what did not happen.
When they were attacked, the police officers “avoided” their attacker. When the suspect yelled at them to “shoot,” they did not shoot.
In an atmosphere when public tensions are high and police in some communities are distrusted, this is worth noting.
In one way, we’re somewhat reluctant to call attention to this episode.
Police behaved in exactly the manner we expect them to behave. In this community, we do not tolerate overly aggressive policing or trigger-happy officers. We expect our police to deal with dangerous situations in ways that protect the public safety — all members of the public, suspects included.
That’s precisely what happened here. Police were “just doing their jobs.”
And for that, the community is grateful.
