Recent killings by police may have spared Milwaukee man

In light of recent killings of citizens by police officers in Milwaukee and elsewhere, I was pleased to read this story lamentably placed only on page B-3 of the Journal Sentinel. I hope the story gets wider circulation.

The story strongly suggests that two Milwaukee police officers had those fatal incidents in mind when they chose not to shoot a knife-wielding man - - reportedly with mental health issues - - who confronted, threatened and chased them at a homicide scene until he dropped the knife.

These paragraphs stand out:

The officer, who was joined by another, then encountered Martinez, who was shirtless, holding a large butcher knife and threatening to kill them.

[Alfonso] Martinez began chasing the officers around parked vehicles as they yelled at him to drop the knife, and one of the officers even indicated that she was "beginning to wear out from the running," before Martinez finally dropped the knife and was arrested.

The officer later told investigators, "that this was the most frightening experience she has had as an officer," and "both officers indicated that they were thinking about the recent incidents locally and nationally at the time of this incident."

Not another 'I didn't have any other choice' outcome.