Today is the first anniversary of the death of Rathdrum police officer Jonathan Franco, who was killed in a motorcycle accident in eastern Washington. In memory of her son, Elizabeth Yalian writes the following:
It’s been one year since my son’s Heavenly homecoming. I have received many letters expressing how Jonathan Mathew Franco has impacted people’s lives. These have given me a deeper admiration towards the young man whose short life benefited many. Jonathan wanted to be in law enforcement since he was a small child when he became enamored with a pair of toy guns, holsters and a shiny, metal sheriff’s badge. “When I grow up I want to be a policeman!” I can still hear the excitement in his small voice. The desire persisted into his early teens until he began driving. “Why do the cops have it out for me, Mom?” He questioned disgustedly. “I have been pulled over seventeen times! Seventeen times, Mom, seventeen! I am not even doing anything wrong!” He was pulled over several more times after that. Complete essay here.
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.
Jonathan Mathew Franco has impacted people’s lives. These have given me a deeper admiration towards the young man whose short life benefited many. Jonathan wanted to be in law enforcement since he was a small child when he became enamored with a pair of toy guns, holsters and a shiny, metal sheriff’s badge. “When I grow up I want to be a policeman!” I can still hear the excitement in his small voice. The desire persisted into his early teens until he began driving. “Why do the cops have it out for me, Mom?” He questioned disgustedly. “I have been pulled over seventeen times! Seventeen times, Mom, seventeen! I am not even doing anything wrong!” He was pulled over several more times after that. Complete essay here.
