The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1912-08-14
NORMAN HELMER.
Continued from first page.)

Continued from nrSt page.)
of a police officer in Minneapolis, the
death of Officer Frazier in street
car in ST. Paul, the death of the dep
uty sheriff at Walker, and Helmer's
death suggest to our mind that per-
haps many of us are in a measure
responsible for the condition of mind
that exists with many, which makes
it possible for them to contemplate
the taking of the life of an officer
How many times have we by some
act or word or sheer suggested to
some fertile mind the idea that the
life of an officer of the law is of but
little consequence? How often have
we by some act or suggestion hinder
ed in the enforcement of the law?
How often have we sneered at the
officer striving as best he can to per-
form his duty? :.-~--~- ~
About year ago the brave officers
of this county met in almost deadly
conflict part of the yeggmen that had
caused reign of terror in northern
Minnesota for months and fear that
on many occasions, in many places,
public as we'll as somewhat private,
we have said things and done things
which did not show proper appre-
citation upon our part of the price
paid by these officers in their efforts
to bring to an end this increasing
reign of terror. There was, no doubt,
in the mind Of Helmer's assassin a
wholesome contempt for officials.
How much are we responsible for
that condition in his mind and for
similar conditions in the minds of
others is a question that we may
we'll take home with us from this oc-
casiOn and solve with a view of so
conducting ourselves in the future as
not to be a party shaping the minds
of any man so that he will entertain
a contempt for officers that are charg-
ed with the duty of protecting us,
our property and our lives.
This is an excellent occasion for
us to fully resolve that in the future
we will uphold the arm, of every off,
Ger in his effort to preserve order and
remove from society those men whose
presence threatens our safety and our
lives. Let us fully resolve that in
every act and every deed, in every
word we speak we will teach the
doctrine that every loyal and brave
officer is entitled to the support at
all times of every citizen entitled to
liberty, and that to him who shall
take the life of an officer shall come
speedy vengeance highly tempered
with a righteous wrath. And if we
keep this resolution, then may our
brave and fearless officers now on
duty have some support and then may
they realize that should their lot lie
along with those of Norman Helmer.
their deeds will not be forgotten and
their memory will ever be kept
bright. But unless some such i'm
provement follows this sad affair.
then Norman Helmer paid too great
price. But if through his death
there shall grow up a better regard
for the true and brave officer, a fir
mer determination to support him at
all times, active assistance whenever
needed, proper appreciation of
what he does, realization on the
part of yeggmen and thieves and
murderers that the public is behind
its officers at all times and that VEN
gence is ours, then, possibly, will the
benefits from Helmer's death in some
slight measure equal the cost.
am informed that Mr.. Helmer
never associated himself with any
church. But the simple life he led,
the friends he made, the many acts
of kindness done, the charity he be-
slowed, secured for him high place
among his fellowmen. It must be
that He, who doeth all things we'll,
must have arranged some future for
those who live the upright, honest,
true life on this earth. He who has
satisfied us so we'll must surely meet
with some approval from his Creator.
Somewhere, sometime, in some way,
Norman Helmer will surely receive a
rich reward in the future his con-
duct on earth has earned for him.
He may have erred. 1t is human to
err. But his erorrs are so small and
of such slight consequence that we
have written their record upon the
shifting sands. His good deeds, we
have recorded upon the tablets of our
memory, never to be erased.