"Violation of oath by public officer"

Photo courtesy of The Houston Chronicle

We've all heard that the duty of a police officer is "to protect and serve."  

Two police officers in Fulton County were each charged with four counts of "violation of oath by public officer."  

Garrett Rolfe, who fired three shots at the chest of Brooks, is in jail facing 11 charges total.  He already had 12 previous complaints on his record.  His partner Devin Brosnan has offered to testify against him.

See the article in today's Wall Street Journal as well as the article in the Los Angeles Times.

One of the charges against Rolfe is "violation of oath by public officer for kicking Brooks as he lay on the ground."  Brosnan is charged with "violation of oath by public officer for standing with his boot on Brooks."

Rolfe's kick could show malice and earn him a life sentence or even the death sentence.

Good.  He deserves it and will become a cautionary tale for other officers... if justice is served.

Here is the Oath of Honor endorsed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police:

On my honor, I will never 

betray my badge, my integrity, 

my character or the public trust.

I will always have the courage to hold

myself and others accountable for our actions.

I will always uphold the Constitution,

my community, and the agency I serve.

Rolfe and Brosnan, you each betrayed your badge, your integrity if you have any, the character you should have had, and the public trust.  

We will hold you accountable for your actions, whether you do it or not.  

You undermined the Constitution of the USA.  

You killed a man who politely cooperated with you for 40 minutes; you wounded your community and the nation.  

You brought shame on the agency you serve, causing the resignation of your chief.