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THE BLACK POLICE officer who was recently pictured assisting an ailing white supremacist at a Ku Klux Klan (KKK) rally in South Carolina, has spoken regarding what the photo means to him.
Leroy Smith, who in fact serves as a director of South Carolina’s Department of Public Safety, said he was “somewhat surprised by how the photo had gone viral”.
“Even though I serve as the director of this agency, I consider myself like every other officer who was out there braving the heat on Saturday to preserve and protect,” he said in a statement.
The photo that was captured just happened to be of me.
Smith had been working at the rally last weekend in uniform, helping with crowd control.
One of the KKK protesters asked him to help two men who appeared to be suffering from heat-related issues, which he duly did, with the incident being captured in a photo by deputy chief of staff to the South Carolina governor Rob Godfrey.
His selfless actions have been inspiring people on social media with the photo quickly going viral across the web.
“Our men and women in uniform are on the front lines every day helping people – regardless of the person’s skin color, nationality or beliefs,” Smith said.
As law enforcement officers, service is at the heart of what we do.
I believe this photo captures who we are in South Carolina and represents what law enforcement is all about.
I am proud to serve this great State, and I hope this photo will be a catalyst for people to work to overcome some of the hatred and violence we have seen in our country in recent weeks.
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In all the horriable recent events across the globe latley there is at least a little faith in humanity restored
Preserve and protect?! Sounds like a jam jar.
I think he probably said serve and protect. Anyway, nice guy.
that’s a great response to racist pigs
Kill em with kindness
Or let them kill themselves with heat stroke…. What a bunch of tools. We hate you until we need you. I would have left him suffer
Doc think of it this way. The racist guy believes in all the racist stereotypes of blacks, prob thinks they’re just bad people. If the officer leaves him there to die, those views are confirmed and if he survives he gets to tell his racist friends about this doucebag cop that left him there dying. If he helps him, he can tell the opposite story and perhaps put a dent in others racism, and get rid of the guys own.
I would help a bigot too, if I saw Ronan Mullen or that Iona Institute guy pass out on the street grabbing their chest with nobody else around no matter what loathing I have for them I’m gonna help them, because it’s the right thing to do…and because of the wrath from high-a-top-the-thing (the universe/karma) which slaps us down if we get too cocky)
@ryan agreed, except I would feel even more cocky if I had some evidence to justify my belief that I was a better person :p
Very fair comment Ryan. Perfect logic. I saw red when I read the article…. But yes, kindness is the real killer for these folks
I like this guy.
the officer was just doing his , full credit to him . I’m surprised the white guy actually accepted help from him
*job*
Pretty sure most if not all card carrying Klan members wouldn’t refuse emergency hospital treatment if the Doctor wasn’t white. Kind of makes a farce of their racist views.
You would also wonder what they would do if they need a blood transfusion or a new heart or lungs…..
Kkk dude probably got lynched when he went home.
It must be weird for the kkk as their ancestors are black.
You’ll find their membership overlaps with a lot of white southern types who don’t believe in evolution.
Facts and reason are not their friends.
“It all began, in Africa” – Chemical Brothers.
Afrika ka ka!
good to see a police officer who is upholding his oath to protect and preserve, it’s a pity more of our “police officers” don’t uphold their oath, instead of acting like a private security firm for IW
that is so a troll comment !
What is the oath?
look it up
in what way ?. by the way, what do you think about the TTIP agreement and the consequences it has for Irish citizens?
Cant find it, so what is it?
A story about the klu klux klan and you get IW into it. Unbelievable
Interesting view. Lets see if I understand your point.
A, a group that’s unpopular turns up in an area to perform a legal act.
B, The group, being unpopular attracts a group of protesters who wish to stop the legal act.
C, As a result of this volatile and confrontational situation the police are taken from policing and deployed to ensure the unpopular group can continue their lawful act despite the police officers personal opinions, they perform their duty.
D, At some point one of the unpopular people needs help while there’s fights breaking out close by between unpopular people and protesters.
E, Despite their personal views on the issue the police perform their duty and “uphold the law without fear, favour or malice” and assist the unpopular people while arresting protesters that broke the law.
Am I talking about South Carolina or Dublin?
Way to turn the other cheek.
I believe 99% of the world are like that officer and would help someone in need …..Its the 1% that’s so f**ked up that give the rest of us a bad name…
Why is the white supremacist dressed completely in black???
The KKK rally was held in protest of the decision to take down the confederate flag, While the photo was taken, several fights broke out during the rally. There was about five arrests and 23 people needed assistance due to the heat. which was about 35-36c (95-97 Farenheit)
Important to note that it was black protesters that escalated things to violence when they started throwing objects at the Klansmen.
Important to note you condemn these protesters for starting fights but applaud the ones in Dublin. Are all your opinions on crime so warped when its someone you know?
I might be being a little cynical but it seems a little too convenient that the deputy chief of staff just happened to be right there at that moment to take the pic at a convenient time when they are doing everything in their power to ease racial tension… Smells of a bit if a PR job to me.
I don’t think this picture eases racial tension, it firmly puts black police officers on a higher moral ground than white police officers. If they were looking for a PR photo they would probably have gone for a white police officer helping a black woman or baby or something.
Wow he did his job somebody give him a medal. The old man pays his salary.
yes he did do his job thats what makes him different. Not the colour of his skin. He is a very rear individual in the way he carried out his duty. absolutely no prejudice in his work ethic. I would love to meet a guy like him everyday in my profession it would make life much easier.
Everyone pays everyone elses salary you fool
I think he was trying to get a tan. A bit of colour always looks nice.
Typical Orangeman.
Should of wore his white hat..
Twice is nice..
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