Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Black Officers' Lives Matter, Too

From the point of view of anti-police activists, the only black lives that "matter" are those of street criminals killed by police.

March 4, 2016
Black Officers' Lives Matter, Too

Photo: Kelly Bracken

4 min to read


Protesters connected with the Black Lives Matter movement recently jammed up the streets of Seattle. And from the level of outrage you would think an officer walked up to a young black man on the streets and shot him for no reason. But nothing could be further from the truth.

On Sunday Feb. 21, Seattle police were conducting surveillance when they spotted Che Taylor, a convicted rapist, wearing a holstered handgun. Officers ordered Taylor to show his hands and get on the ground. Police say instead of following these lawful commands, Taylor reached for his gun and was mortally wounded when police opened fire. Che Andre Taylor, a 46-year-old convicted felon, died the way he lived, violently. And the police who shot him are heroes, not villains.

Ad Loading...

But now because anti-police activists have succeeded in promoting the idea that all police shootings of black men—regardless of how heinous the past or current crimes of these men or the threat they presented to the police and the public at the time of the shooting—are "murders," Che Andre Taylor has joined a pantheon of "saints" memorialized by Black Lives Matter.

Here's a look at some of the other "victims" canonized by the movement.

Michael Brown—Minutes before he was killed by a Ferguson officer in August 2014, 18-year-old Brown was throwing his considerable weight and size around, quite literally. He walked into a local convenience store with his friend Dorian Johnson, terrorized the clerk, and walked out with a box of cigars that he decided were free just because he could take them. In other words, he committed strong-arm robbery.

Jamar Clark—On Nov. 15 Minneapolis police officers were called to a domestic disturbance to aid EMTs who were caring for an injured young woman who had been struck by Jamar Clark, her ex-boyfriend. While paramedics were treating her for her injuries, Clark reportedly tried to drag her out of the ambulance and continue the attack. A confrontation with police began, and officers say Clark attempted to grab an officer's gun and was killed. Other witnesses of the events say Clark was on the ground and handcuffed when he was shot, but they are probably as reliable as the "hands up, don't shoot" crowd in Ferguson. Regardless, it's not in dispute that Clark was possessive of his exes and willing to use violence against them. At the time of his death, he had been recently released on probation after pleading guilty to making terroristic threats in an incident where he threatened to burn the apartment of another ex-girlfriend.

Mario Woods—On Dec. 2 San Francisco police responded to a call about a slashing attack. Later that day they shot and killed the alleged perpetrator of that attack Mario Woods, 26, while he was holding a kitchen knife. The shooting occurred after multiple attempts to get Woods to put down the knife and after less-lethal projectiles failed to subdue him. He reportedly said to the officers, "You better squeeze that motherf____r…and kill me." Woods had an extensive criminal record, including a prison stint for armed robbery, and he just randomly slashed somebody on the street the day he was killed. But after loud protests against police, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors is treating him like a hero. The supervisors voted in January to make July 22 Mario Woods Day. Which has royally and rightfully pissed off the city's police union.

Ad Loading...

And I have to ask, would the same supervisors have voted a remembrance day for the two black officers involved in the Mario Woods incident if they had been stabbed to death by Woods? Would Black Lives Matter have marched in the streets for those officers?

Of course not. Because from the point of view of anti-police activists, the only black lives that "matter" are those of street criminals killed by police, not the lives of the many African-American officers who protect the public to the point of sacrificing their lives.

You won't find anybody from Black Lives Matter mourning the death of a slain African-American officer like Riverdale, GA, Police Major Greg Barney who was killed helping another agency serve a no-knock warrant on Feb. 11.

Barney, 50, was a 27-year veteran of law enforcement. He left behind a wife and twin 15-year-old sons. More than 2,000 people showed up for his funeral, and there was an outpouring of grief in the Atlanta suburb of Riverdale.

But not one peep was heard from Black Lives Matter. You see, some black lives don't matter at all to these folks, especially the ones dressed in blue.

Subscribe to our newsletter

More Patrol

Black background with image of police car light bar, logo for POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips, and headline What are the latest law enforcement boots from Garmont Tactical?
Patrolby Wayne ParhamFebruary 25, 2026

Garmont Tactical’s LE Boot Lineup

In this video, we get a look at the latest law enforcement boots from Garmont Tactical, both for men and women. Kyle Ferdyn, sales manager, showcases four of the latest boots.

Read More →
Person in protective CMRN suit and breathing gear.
PatrolFebruary 18, 2026

Avon Protection Launches EXOSKIN-S2 High-Performance CBRN Protective Suit

With the commercial availability of Avon Protection’s EXOSKIN-S2, users now have increased options for their protective suit requirements across the spectrum of CBRN threat environments.

Read More →
Sky background with logos for Versatern and Aloft
PatrolFebruary 18, 2026

Versaterm Acquires Aloft to Unlock a New Era of Drones for Public Safety

Versaterm has acquired Aloft, an FAA-approved Unmanned Service Supplier (USS) that specializes in real-time airspace intelligence and flight authorizations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Clooudy sky background with a lot of blue, logo for DroneSense, and dates and location of an upcoming event.
PatrolFebruary 11, 2026

Versaterm Launches Innovation Summit for Public Safety Drone Operations

The two-day DroneSense Innovation Summit by Versaterm will bring together public safety and industry experts to define best practices for scaling drone operations.

Read More →
Thumnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips featuring a black background with police car lights and headline What Makes a Good LE Boot?
Patrolby Wayne ParhamFebruary 11, 2026

What Makes a Good LE Boot?

Learn what makes a boot good for police officers as POLICE visits with Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, who explains the features of boots and why each is needed in an LE boot.

Read More →
Red fabric background with blue and white Folds of Honor logo.
PatrolFebruary 4, 2026

Folds of Honor Opens Scholarship Application for Children and Spouses of Fallen or Disabled Service Members and First Responders

The application period for the Folds of Honor scholarship program is now open through the end of March. Scholarships support students from early education through postsecondary studies, easing the financial burden for families who have given so much in service to others.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Closeup of hands reaching to pick up a ballistic helmet and a Team Wendy logo in a white box top center in the image.
PatrolFebruary 4, 2026

Team Wendy Now on GovX: Faster Verification and Discount Access for Eligible Professionals

With GovX verification now integrated directly into the Team Wendy checkout experience, eligible customers can confirm their status in just a few clicks and have the discount applied automatically.

Read More →
backgroudn image of desert with inset 5.11 logo and images of pant and boot.
PatrolJanuary 28, 2026

5.11 Debuts 2026 Footwear & Apparel at SHOT Show

5.11 showcased new apparel and footwear products during SHOT Show 2026, including new color options for the A/T Boa Lite Mid Boot and the Founder’s Jacket.

Read More →
Three tactical backpacks set against a desert background with an inset logo for 5.11.
PatrolJanuary 21, 2026

5.11 Debuts New Load-Bearing Gear at SHOT Show

5.11 launched a variety of new load-bearing gear, ranging from backpacks to chest packs, designed for training, travel, and everyday readiness, this week during SHOT Show 2026.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Blue background with Streamlight logo at top and inset images of one handgun light, two rifle lights, and one handheld light.
PatrolJanuary 21, 2026

Streamlight Launches the Rechargeable TLR-3X & Other Lights at SHOT Show

Streamlight launched the TLR-3X and TLR-3X USB, two new weapon lights, and an assortment of other new lights during SHOT Show 2026.

Read More →