Evening star., 1963-03-17
Slain Purse-Snotcher

SIuIH uISS-SUULSUCI
Law-abiding citizens Of
both races should vigorously
oppose irresponsible state
ments such as the one made
by the Congress on Racial
Equality on the shooting Of
James Wall by Police Pvt.
Frank Klimecke. That state
ment protested the murder"
Of Wall, and demanded an in
vestigation and the removal
Of the captain, neutenants
and sergeants Of the 10th
precinct.
Based on the facts Of this
case, q demand for the re-
moval Of the captain, lieu
tenants and sergeants Of the
precinct could hardly be
more irresponsible.
Adequate investigatory pro-
cedures have for years ex-
listed within the framework
of the District government,
and responsible officials have
not hesitated to use them.
There is, therefore, no ne
cessity for CORE to demand
an investigation Of the Incl
dent, other than to gain
publicity for itself.
Murder" is an unlawful
killing with malice afore-
thought definition which
cannot possibly apply here.
Pvt. Klimecke was merely
doing his duty as q police
man.
II members Of our police
force are continually badg-
cred for bona fide actions
taken In course Of duty, how
can law-abiding citizens ex-
pect to retain their protec-
tion2
v. H. Adams.
- -
The fact that certain Or
ganizations increase their
political strength by racial
agitation is no secret. How
ever, when such organiza-
tions below injustice and
discrimination when Pvt.
Frank Klimecke, in line Of
duty, shot and killed James
c. Wall, an ex-convict. flee
ing from the scene Of another
of his crimes, these groups
have gone too far.
Pvt. Klimecke did his
sworn duty in a dangerous.
crime-ridden city and he is
to be commended for having
the courage to do so.
Any attempt to use this
situation to make political
hay should be viewed for ex-
actly what it is.
James ChOchos, Jr.
hh
There are very few things
worse than a thief; killing is
one of these. 1t is very OBJ
vious that a mans buttocks
or thighs present q larger
target than his head.
Three times within q mat
ter Of weeks men were shot
in the head and face by po-
licemen on the streets Of
Washington. Are policemen
with all Of the odds stacked
in their favor expected to
apprehend lawbreakers for
court Undetermined punish ment
or are they expected to ex-
ecute "justice Chinese style"
with a bullet in the head?
In spite of the repugnant
nature Of James Walls crime,
I have sympathy for him now
and a great disgust for the
society that produces rogues
like James Calvin Wall who
find 1t necessary to obtain
the things in life that they
desire by stealing. This hui
man being was caught first
at age IL but he and too
many like him are faced
earlier with hopelessness and
impossible circumstances
that breed men like him.
One Of the Ten Command
ments states: Thou shall
not kill" This God-given law
is emphatic and I have not
read Of any conditions where
God makes exception to this
command.
There is nothing greater
than life.
ODOnnald II. Sheppard, MD.
Congratulations are in Or
der for Pvt. Frank Klimecke,
rookie police officer who shot
and killed the purse-snatcher
here.
Pvt. Klimecke has beyond
doubt forwarded the cause OF
crime prevention. A little
more action similar TO this,
and the crime rate here will
start downward, instead OF
continuing 10 climb upward.
Arguments are raised that
Pvt. Klimecke used unneoes-
sary force. But, is there such