Thank you Officer Richard Mercado

We, the Undersigned, would like to express our gratitude and appreciation for your acts of bravery and compassion on Saturday, November 14, 2009 wherein you, as the officer on the scene, chose to protect the lives of both humans and animals during a reported domestic dispute.

We understand that this situation required you to act quickly in the best interests of all involved, and we applaud your decision to use the least amount of force for the greatest good to protect a mother and her child, restrain an agitated dog, and save the life of a fleeing, beleaguered bird.

We are particularly appreciative of your sympathy towards the bird in your attempt to save its life when it came under attack by the pursuing dog.  Restraining the agitated dog through the use of a stun gun was not an easy choice, but was necessary and we believe this non-lethal restraint was the best choice available to immediately preserve the lives of both animals and protect the family in the household.

Your humane empathy towards the chicken, a bird many would dismiss and ignore, demonstrates kindness and concern for an often disregarded bird species.  Though we do not know the history of the bird or the dog, we hope that in the end, both animals are uninjured and their lives preserved because you acted with judicious mercy to spare all from further harm while ending the incident.

For these things, we thank you.

See article with further information here:
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7017021593

EVENT UPDATE!

The Petition was forwarded to The City of Tampa Police Department, and the following is the response through their website messaging system:

1/14/2010 12:41 PM Message Read     Police Corporal, Police 

Email was directed to:
IE Ries (Requestor)

Other Actions:
- Message status changed to Closed

 Message: Good afternoon Ms. Ries,

Thank you for taking the time to commend Officer Richard Mercado of the Tampa Police Department. The ultimate goal of this department is to serve the public in a positive, helpful, and professional manner.

I visited the website and copied the kind words about Officer Mercado into this message below for reference. A copy of your correspondence will be placed in Officer Mercado's personnel file. I will also make sure Chief Castor sees your message and that a copy is provided to the commanders of District One for their review.


Corporal Pete Charbonneau
Office of the Chief of Police