Father of Fallen Louisville Officer Criticizes Elected Officials for Lack of Leadership

An officer who is now retired from the Louisville Metro Police Department has expressed frustration with elected leaders in that city as well as agency command staff for what he calls "inadequate" leadership amid ongoing protests following the shooting death of 26-year-old Breonna Taylor in late May.

According to the Louisville Courier Journal , George Rodman—who retired from LMPD in 2017 and is also the father of a fallen police officer—said at a pro-police gathering that officers are "unappreciated by the mayor and elected officials. Bewildered, frustrated, hesitant, abandoned, and most of all, judged for the uniform they wear."

Rodman said that officers in Louisville are being abused by protesters, being verbally berated, struck with thrown objects, and physically assaulted.

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer has given the police department orders to "stand down" during the protests. 

Rodman said during his speech that the city now looks like a "war zone" as a result.

Rodman's son, Nicholas Rodman, was involved in a vehicle pursuit of a suspect in March 2017 when his patrol car was struck by the suspect's vehicle.

The wounded officer was transported to a nearby hospital where he later succumbed to his wounds.