Letter to the Editor: Mayor Calls for Dialogue on Preventing Violence

The follow is a letter to the editor from Mayor Richard LaBarbiera:

To the Editor,

This past week showed us the sad depths that society can sink to when a depraved young man shockingly fired several rounds at Officer Rachel Morgan on Sunday night, seriously injuring her and leading to his own death later in the week. I’m happy to report that Rachel is progressing well and the news to date has been nothing but positive; she is on the road to recovery. It is a testament to the training she received and her judgment, which may have saved her life. Rachel will be missed in the department as she recovers, but I’m sure that our police officers will remember her heroism every day and carry it with them as they perform their duties.

Rachel Morgan is just one great example of the excellent officers who make up our police department in Paramus. They put their lives at risk every day to ensure our safety and do so with the utmost level of professionalism and dedication. I commend them for their exemplary performance in this difficult incident and wish to especially thank Officer Ryan Hayo, who backed up Officer Morgan and helped her subdue the assailant. The life of a police officer is one that can be plunged into serious danger at a moment’s notice. Men and women like Ryan Hayo and Rachel Morgan, however, prove that the Paramus Police Department is always ready to meet any challenge and overcome it.

After the dust settles in a traumatic situation like this, it’s important to reflect. Could anything have been done to prevent this tragedy? Can we do more to keep firearms out of the hands of troubled individuals? How can we make our society less violent? These are difficult questions, but times like these necessitate answers. I’m ecstatic to see our community in Paramus and throughout Bergen County come together to wish Rachel Morgan well and pray for her recovery. As Rachel heals we must take the next step and begin an honest dialogue about how we can all do a better job of preventing violence and keeping our men and woman in uniform, and each other safe. That would truly be the best way to honor Rachel’s sacrifice and heroism – by working together to stop something like this from happening again.

On behalf of the entire and great Borough of Paramus, we wish Rachel a speedy and full recovery!

Sincerely,

Richard LaBarbiera
Mayor of Paramus