Apology To Officer
February 26, 2024 at 1:00 a.m.
Editor, Times-Union:
Dear Officer Vander Hart,
On December 26, 2022, I called the police to come to my residence to help deal with a person I believed to be dangerous who refused to leave my home. You were the first officer to arrive, and saw me with the knife I was using to keep the individual away. I understand now why you felt like I was the greater threat. Looking back, I greatly overacted to the situation, and made the situation worse by not immediately complying with your instructions. I am embarrassed that you had to taze me because of my choices.
I want to publicly apologize to you, Officer Lucas Vander Hart, for my actions on that day. I took what was already a dangerous situation for yourself and all involved; and through my bad decisions, I made it worse. This is not the example I want to set for my son. I want him to know that we respect those who serve the public through being first responders or joining the armed forces. While I cannot change the events of that afternoon, I can assure you that I won’t be repeating them in my lifetime. Despite my previous actions, I hope that you accept my apology.
I wish you nothing but blessings and success in your future personal and professional endeavors.
Kenneth U. Byrd
Warsaw, via email
Editor, Times-Union:
Dear Officer Vander Hart,
On December 26, 2022, I called the police to come to my residence to help deal with a person I believed to be dangerous who refused to leave my home. You were the first officer to arrive, and saw me with the knife I was using to keep the individual away. I understand now why you felt like I was the greater threat. Looking back, I greatly overacted to the situation, and made the situation worse by not immediately complying with your instructions. I am embarrassed that you had to taze me because of my choices.
I want to publicly apologize to you, Officer Lucas Vander Hart, for my actions on that day. I took what was already a dangerous situation for yourself and all involved; and through my bad decisions, I made it worse. This is not the example I want to set for my son. I want him to know that we respect those who serve the public through being first responders or joining the armed forces. While I cannot change the events of that afternoon, I can assure you that I won’t be repeating them in my lifetime. Despite my previous actions, I hope that you accept my apology.
I wish you nothing but blessings and success in your future personal and professional endeavors.
Kenneth U. Byrd
Warsaw, via email