String of Violent Attacks on LEO Raises Concerns, “Pig” Painting Salt in the Wound

REGIONAL – Two Hernando County Sheriff’s Deputies are lucky to be alive today after they were shot at during a pursuit in the area of Martin Luther King Blvd and Twigg Street on Wednesday.

RNRF broke the news while dozens of Deputies and Brooksville Police searched for the gunman.

Neither Deputy was injured during the attack but their patrol car was hit by at least one of round.

Officials haven’t provided many details into the case because the investigation is open and the gunman is still at large.

Two suspects who were in the car with the shooter, 35-year-old Emma Nakema Wright and 21-year-old Johnny Mack Hilbert also fled on foot but were quickly taken into custody. Both are charged with Fleeing and Eluding and are currently free on $2,000 bond. CLICK HERE FOR ORIGINAL REPORT

On Monday Orlando Police Officer, Master Sgt. Debra Clayton died after she was shot several times by murder suspect Markeith Loyd. Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Norman Lewis also died during the search after his motorcycle was struck by a van.

Three people face charges for helping Loyd avoid capture and the gunman remains on the run.

Two Tampa Police Officers were fired upon while investigating a burglary on Wednesday and two of the three suspects, including the alleged gunman are in custody. The suspect’s identities have not been released and the case remains under investigation. Neither officer was injured during the shooting.

These senseless violent attacks are occurring more often and some blame anti-law enforcement rhetoric for the growing threat.

A painting hung in public view on Capitol Hill that depicts cops as pigs, shooting black protestors, has some law enforcement officers concerned for their safety.

Democrat lawmakers are fighting to keep the 18-year-old artist, David Pulphus’s controversial painting on display but Republican lawmakers are fighting back. California Rep. Duncan Hunter told Fox News on Tuesday, “It doesn’t belong in the U.S. Capitol. It’s that simple. It violates the rules of the art competition. You cannot have offensive things in the competition and this does.” Democrat Rep. Lacy Clay defends the painting because it falls under the painter’s First Amendment rights.

Brooksville Police Chief George Turner says “That painting is just more proof of the lack of support for Law Enforcement by some of our elected officials.” Turner voiced concerns for the safety of his Officers, in light of recent attacks on Law Enforcement.

Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis says “Although I strongly disagree with the message but I support and defend the painter’s right to free speech and free expression.”

I asked Nienhuis what he thought about the growing anti-Law Enforcement sentiment around the country and what he thought was the cause. Nienhuis says “I believe that the reason for the negative sentiments on both sides of this issue are due to both the media and the public focusing on the exceptions, rather than the rule. The vast majority of law enforcement officers are dedicated and would never intentionally bring dishonor to the badge. The percentage of corrupt law enforcement officers, in fact, is a smaller than in any other profession. Conversely, I have found that almost all of the citizens in Hernando County, regardless of the neighborhood, support law enforcement and dislike the negative law enforcement rhetoric. The only exception locally, of course, comes from a very small number of individuals who are on the wrong side of the law.”

Nienhuis had this to say about anyone assisting fugitives who attack law enforcement officers; “Citizens must understand that helping any wanted suspect in any way is, too, a criminal act. The only way for us to ensure that justice is served is for us to investigate, charge, and prosecute those aiding fugitives from justice. The victims and the public deserve nothing less.”

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