Honoring a fallen officer

By Robert E. Lee Jr.

This morning, a memorial plaque is to be erected at Mount Pleasant and Waverly Roads in Gladwyne, where Lower Merion Police Officer Edward M. Setzer was killed.

I worked with Ed Setzer, a 15-year-veteran, from 1974 to '81. He died in the line of duty on Sept. 30, 1988. His 23-year-old assailant was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Thinking about Setzer reminds me of that time in policing.

Prompted by the American domestic issues of the '60s - the civil rights movement, the antiwar movement, and Supreme Court decisions impacting police techniques - the police had become more accountable for their actions. Legislation such as the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 began to make a difference in American law enforcement.

The early '70s provided an opportunity for American policing to better integrate police departments with the communities they served. It was a time when law enforcement was beginning to be referred to as a "profession."

The term "community policing" hadn't been created yet, but that's what we were about. We used our discretionary authority to solve problems. We provided ambulance service. We worked with other parts of government, including social service agencies, zoning, and public works to maintain and improve the community we served.

Ed Setzer became a police officer in 1973. He likely said that he wanted "to be of service to the community" when he was formally interviewed for the position of probationary police officer. We all said that. That's what we wanted to do, and that's what was expected of us.

We went to the police academy at community college, rather than to the State Police Academy. Our hair was a little long, and many of us had mustaches (and still do), which caused the command staff to draft guidelines about grooming. We were less likely to have served in the military, and people worried that we might not know how to take orders.

We were becoming better educated, and this, hopefully, expanded our ability to understand others and to draw upon our knowledge as we wrestled with people, both physically and figuratively. But we cared about people and knew that the essence of the job was to look after others.

We were impacted by the movements of the '60s and realized that policing was about equality and the protection of people's rights. We were taught about Miranda and Escobedo and the other court rulings that we had to live with, and we adjusted our behavior and procedures to meet the rules.

Despite our best efforts, nature and society continue to produce some people who are unable to operate within the very broad parameters given to them by society. We pass laws, attempt to educate people in school, and preach to them from the pulpit, yet many expect to enjoy the privileges of a free life without upholding their end of the contract.

In Philadelphia today, an epidemic of gun violence is haunting the city, and community policing seems unable to control it. As a result, the police commissioner supports a program that seeks thousands of volunteer peacekeepers.

Controlling the spread of violence is not about programs. It's about people and their willingness to step forward and do what they can to stop it. Programs can amplify the message, but without valiant people and goals, a program is just a dream.

Death shouldn't be required of police officers, or of anyone else who chooses to intervene. And death should not be a consequence of youth because no one cared to look out for you.

In Ed Setzer's life, he tried to change things by example and dedication to his duties. I'm sure he dreamed of good things for his family, friends and our society. People who worked with him still mourn his loss and grieve that they were unable to prevent the act that killed him.

At Ed's funeral, his wife, Julie, told everyone to be sure that those they loved knew it. I believe that being loved contributes to bravery and can help stem violence. Let those whom you care about know it.

I pray that others in our society find the strength to step forward, in uniform or not, to preserve safety and equality. No victim of murder should have died in vain. Stop the violence!