At a news conference on Feb. 16 our new governor, Josh Shapiro, spoke in detail about why he would not sign any execution orders on those convicted of first degree homicide.

Several days later in Philadelphia, a Temple University Security Policeman, Christopher Fitzgerald, in full uniform was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a carjacker in the Temple Campus area. To worsen the scenario, the subject of the criminal act was viewed on the surveillance video standing over the officer and firing several shots into his body.

You are probably unaware that there is a separate homicide law in Pennsylvania regarding police officers, especially pertaining to the first degree act (Section 2507-A). This section is a large step above regular homicide since it entails the murder of an officer while he or she is in the performance of duty.

In Philadelphia, where the current district attorney, Larry Krasner (under impeachment for failing the duties of his office), has constructed a turnstile system of weak law enforcement, and where its citizens watch homicide rates spiral out of control each year, one can only wonder who will step up to the plate and enforce our existing laws.

It appears as if the suspect will become another Eric Frein, convicted murderer of a state policemen (this act by a high caliber rifle shot as Frein hid behind a tree), who will be comforted by the state for the rest of his life.

It’s time to see justice served and enforced by those who have that authority. Weak knees and ambivalent feelings by those in power are not the right formula for Christopher Fitzgerald, his family, wife and children.

Frank J. Hall

Kunkletown Former Philadelphia Police SGt. and Temple University Graduate