Oath Keepers: Active Duty Police Officer

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Active Duty Police Officer

I am an Active Duty Peace Officer in Houston Texas, and I proudly stand with you.... It is with great joy that I see the birth of this organization.

I've been with the Houston Police Department for 15 years and my fears of the militarization of local police grow larger every day. These fears came totally into focus when the president, then candidate, spoke of creating a civilian defense force as large and well equipped as the US Military.

The only logical way to accomplish this would be federalization of local and state law enforcement.

THIS IS MY FEAR.....

We, as local and state peace officers, must resist any attempt to be federalized.... We swore an oath to the communities, and states, that we serve... Not the federal government...

I call on all peace officers to reaffirm their commitment to the concept of being a PEACE OFFICER..... We are not a tool of the powerful against the weak.... we are not the judge, jury, and executioner.... I strongly encourage all peace officers to listen carefully to orders from superiors and test them against the Constitution, test them against your conscience, ask yourself if you would take that action in front of your parents, or a religious leader, or your children.

Constantly ask yourself..... What is the hurry in taking this action RIGHT NOW?... Unless your safety is at stake, take a breath, and take your time.... We are given the badge and given our authority based on the trust of those we serve.....

And we should serve everyone equally with a steady gaze on the Bill of Rights...

Keep the Peace

Sgt. John Shirley

8 comments:

Anonymous said...: Welcome to the awakening!
The Thin Blue Line must never be breached by those who would turn the publics defenders against them.

WILL NOT BOW!!!

Jyrell; March 17, 2009 at 2:10 PM
Anonymous said...: John I posted the statment below yours if you would email me collinconerly@sbcglobal.net; March 17, 2009 at 3:48 PM
O.K. said...: Good to go gentlemen! Thank you for stepping up.

Stewart Rhodes; March 17, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Anonymous said...: Im from Houston and its good to know that at least there are good cops out there that care about the people and doing what is right for the people not just going to work doing the job and taking home a pay check.; March 19, 2009 at 6:57 AM
Anonymous said...: I live in Houston as well and it is definitely reassuring that our Police understand the constitution.

I must say I have always had a respect for the Houston Police for more than one reason and this just takes it up another notch.

Thank you Sgt!; March 19, 2009 at 8:28 AM
Anonymous said...: I also am in Houston, and it's nice to hear that some out there have "got our back".; March 19, 2009 at 9:06 AM
CorbinKale said...: Thank you, Sgt. Shirley. We need more Peace Officers like you!; March 21, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Anonymous said...: Thank You Sergeant! In my 25 years alive, in several different areas of these United States, I have had my best experiences with Peace Officers in Houston. I appreciate your commitment and will be reaffirming my oath (originally taken 2/17/02 u.s.army) Thank You again, see you soon.
p.s. where is the ceremony in Houston; April 19, 2009 at 7:36 AM

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We are in a battle for the hearts and minds of our own troops.

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ABOUT OATH KEEPERS:

Oath Keepers is an association of currently serving military, veterans, and peace officers who will fulfill the oath we swore to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, so help us God.

Our oath is to the Constitution, not to the politicians, and we will not obey unconstitutional (and thus illegal) and immoral orders, such as orders to disarm the American people or to place them under martial law and deprive them of their ancient right to jury trial.

We Oath Keepers have drawn a line in the sand. We will not “just follow orders."

Our motto is “Not on our watch!”

If you, the American people, are forced to once again fight for your liberty in another American Revolution, you will not be alone. We will stand with you.

There is at this time a debate within the ranks of the military regarding their oath. Some mistakenly believe they must follow any order the President issues. But you can rest assured that many others in the military do understand that their loyalty is to the Constitution, and understand what that means.

The mission of Oath Keepers is to vastly increase their numbers. We are in a battle for the hearts and minds of our own troops. To win that battle, Oath Keepers will use written and video testimony of active duty military, veterans (especially combat vets), and peace officers to reach, teach, and inspire our brothers in arms in the military and police to fulfill their oaths and stand as guardians of the Republic.

If you are currently in the military, are a veteran, or are a peace officer, please submit your written and/or video testimony on your oath, so you can help us win that battle for hearts and minds. Your submission may be anonymous.

Guardians of the Republic, fulfill your oath. Join us.

(read a longer description here)

Oath Keepers What We are Not List

What We Are Not

We are Not advocating or promoting the overthrow of
any government whether local, state or national.
We want our governments to return to the Constitutional
Republic which the Declaration of Independence and the
Constitution defined and instituted.

We are Not advocating or promoting violence towards any organization, group or person.
We are determined to Keep our Oath to support and
defend the Constitution.

We are not advocating or promoting the removal of any person from his or her elected office.
We want all elected persons to live up to their Oath to
"support and defend the Constitution" as it is written or to leave of their own volition.

We are not advocating or promoting that anyone in the Judicial Branch be removed or replaced.
We want the Justices in the Judicial Branch to follow
the Constitution as written without interpretation.

We are not advocating or promoting any particular
form of government other than the Constitutional
Republic which the Declaration of Independence and
the Constitution defined and instituted.

We are not advocating or promoting the rewriting of
the Constitution nor are we asking for an Amendment thereto.
We are insisting on the Constitution being Enforced as it is written.

We are Not advocating or promoting any act or acts of aggression against any organization or person for any
reason including, but not limited to; race, religion,
national origin, political affiliation, gender or
sexual orientation.

We hope for a return to a Constitutional Republic free from fear and hatred. We hate only tyranny.

We are Oath Sworn Americans who want the Constitution returned to its legal and rightful place, intact, as the ultimate Law of the Land.

THE MINSTREL BOY As Sung by the Late Joe Strummer

The Minstrel Boy to the war is gone
In the ranks of death you will find him;
His father's sword he hath girded on,
And his wild harp slung behind him;"
Land of Song!" said the warrior bard,
"Tho' all the world betrays thee,
One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard,
One faithful harp shall praise thee!"

The Minstrel fell! But the foeman's chain
Could not bring that proud soul under;
The harp he lov'd ne'er spoke again,
For he tore its chords asunder;
And said "No chains shall sully thee,
Thou soul of love and brav'ry!
Thy songs were made for the pure and free,
They shall never sound in slavery!"