We can't blame transit center death on police

The Olympia Police Department, including Officer Ryan Donald, cannot be blamed for the death of Jeffrey McGaugh. McGaugh committed an unprovoked felony assault on several employees of the transit center.

It was absolutely necessary for the police to take whatever action was necessary to arrest and subdue him. Fortunately, no officer or employee was seriously injured or killed during the assault.

The actions of McGaugh cannot be tolerated. Police intervention is absolutely necessary for the safety and protection of the public and the responding officers. I am quite certain that the employees of the transit center were in a very difficult and dangerous situation.

The citizens of Olympia are fortunate to have the police and sheriff’s department available in such situation. The judicial system gives protesters the right to disrupt the public.

The citizens of Olympia and police have the right to conduct their business without being placed in physical danger by the actions of deranged individuals.

This story was originally published March 10, 2016 at 4:06 PM with the headline "We can't blame transit center death on police."