Retired police officer Chris Amos, a father of three, had the spotlight shone on him while he was still in uniform. Amos shot and killed a young minority male and was given paid leave.
He is exactly the type of police officer that Kaepernick spoke about when he said, “There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
However, Amos decided to show Kaepernick something that the NFL player didn’t know: that they were more alike than he realized.The open letter addressed to Kaepernick that Amos posted on Facebook was absolutely spectacular. See the full letter below:
An Open Letter to Colin Kaepernick,
Dear Colin, guess you have been pretty busy these last few days. For the record I don’t think any more or less of you for not standing for the national anthem. Honestly, I never thought that much about you, or any professional athlete for that matter, to begin with. I’ve read your statement a few times and want you to know I am one of the reasons you are protesting. You see I am a retired police officer that had the misfortune of having to shoot and kill a 19-year-old African-American male. And just like you said, I was the recipient of about $3,000 a month while on leave, which was a good thing because I had to support a wife and three children under 7 years old for about 2 months with that money. Things were pretty tight because I couldn’t work part-time. Every police officer I’ve ever known has worked part-time to help make ends meet.
You know, Colin, the more I think about it, the more we seem to have in common. I really pushed myself in rehab to get back on the street, kind of like you do to get back on the field. You probably have had a broken bone or two and some muscle strains and deep bruising that needed a lot of work. I just had to bounce back from a gunshot wound to the chest and thigh. Good thing we both get paid when we are too banged up to “play,” huh? We both also know what it’s like to get blindsided. You by a 280-pound defensive end, ouch! Me, by a couple of rounds fired from a gun about 2 feet away into my chest and thigh. We also both make our living wearing uniforms, right? You have probably ruined a jersey or two on the field of play. I still have my blood-stained shirt that my partner and paramedics literally ripped off my back that cold night in January. Fortunately, like you I was given a new one. Speaking of paramedics aren’t you glad the second we get hurt trainers and doctors are standing by waiting to rush onto the field to scoop us up. I’m thankful they get to you in seconds. It only took them about 10 minutes to get to me. By the grace of God, the artery in my thigh didn’t rupture or else 10 minutes would have been about 9 minutes too late. We also have both experienced the hate and disgust others have just because of those uniforms we wear. I sure am glad for your sake that the folks who wear my uniform are on hand to escort you and those folks that wear your uniform into stadiums in places like Seattle!
I guess that’s where the similarities end, Colin. You entertain for a living, I and almost 800,000 others across this country serve and protect. Are there some bad apples within my profession? Absolutely, and they need to be identified and fired or arrested! But you know what, the vast majority do the right thing, the right way, for the right reason. Did I mention that seconds before I was shot, an elderly African-American gentleman walking down the sidewalk, turned to my partner and I as we rode past and said, “Get them.” Get who, you ask? The thugs terrorizing an otherwise good and decent neighborhood, home to dozens of good, decent African-American families trying to raise those families in communities not protected by gates and security guards. No these folks and families depend on America’s law enforcement officers.
Colin, I have buried 7 friends killed in the line of duty and three others who have committed suicide. I have attended more funerals than I care to remember of neighboring departments who have lost officers in the line of duty, during my career. Law enforcement officers with different backgrounds, upbringings and experiences united by their willingness to answer the call to protect and serve their fellow citizens.
Colin, I am sorry for the endorsement deals you may lose and the dip in jersey sales, but please know you will NEVER lose what these men and women and their families have lost. And so whether you stand or sit during the national anthem means very little to me. As for me and the men and women on whose team I was privileged to serve, we will put on our ballistic vests, badge and gun, kiss our loved ones goodbye, for some tragically for the last time, and out into a shift of uncertainty we will go. We will continue to protect and continue to serve and we will be standing at attention, Colin, not just for the playing of our national anthem, but far more importantly for the playing of Taps.
V/R (very respectfully),
Chris Amos
Very well written. Too bad the media will not read your letter on the air, print it in newspapers, or let you be interviewed on national television. No, can't do that. It might help unify Americans, and that is not what they want. There are exceptions to everything, but for the most part, we are a civilized country where you are safe, have the ability to work hard, get an education, and make something of yourself, if you want to. Or you can play the role of victim your entire life and follow the lead of the Sharpton's, Jackson's, etc. It seems the ones doing the most complaining are making huge amounts of money, or do not work at all and let the government, I mean the taxpayers, take care of them,then complain it's not enough. Those of us working day to day to make a living, pay the bills, lead law abiding lives, and striving to get along with everyone get very little exposure. I just say, "God bless America, God bless our people and help us to get along and respect one another!" The help effort during the hurricanes showed how most Americans really are. Black, white, red, or yellow, we try to do what is right and help each other!
So thank you Chris, for telling it like it is. I have no use for anyone that disrespects our flag or our anthem, and even more our law enforcement officers! As was said in your letter, there are always a few bad apples, and I want to see them prosecuted, but I will not denigrate my nation or our peace keepers because of those few, and neither will I watch those who do! Thank you Chris for your service and thanks to all those who serve our country in whatever capacity. I am grateful for each and everyone of you. May God Bless and Protect you.
