Josie Wells, RIP

A 27-year-old man named Josie Wells was recently murdered in Baton Rouge, the capitol of Louisiana. He was a deputy United States Marshal. He was also a young Black man who routinely risked life and limb capturing dangerous fugitives, like the one wounded in this case.

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As an older Black man, I know only too bitterly well that my community, nor our country, can afford the loss of such national treasure. The only reason I bring race to this solemn occasion is because those bellowing #blacklivesmatter should add ones wearing badges matter too. Let Josie Wells serve posthumous notice that not all young Black men have gone astray. Some, like this late deputy United States marshal, met their Lord following in the storied footsteps of legends who've inspired generations.

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