Is This How We Repay Our Veterans?

Watch: Jose Guerena killing by Pima County SWAT captured by helmet-mounted camera.

Jose Guerena, 26, was a former U.S. Marine who served in Iraq twice. He was honorably discharged from the Corps and was working night shift at the nearby mine. He was young, he had a bright future head of him.

All that changed in the morning of May 5, when he was killed in a hail of bullets (officers fired 71 rounds hitting him 60 times) right there in his own home. He was gunned down by members of the Pima County SWAT Team who were looking for evidence to connect him with a home invasion gang that supposedly operates in the area.

The police initially claimed that he fired at them but later admitted that his AR-15 rifle wasn't fired at all and was still on safety when it was recovered.

What's even more disturbing is the claim by Guerena's wife tht emergency medical personnel we're initially prevented by the SWAT from providing medical care to save his life.He bled to death right there in his own home.

To state the obvious, even if Guerena was involved with the gang, he deserved his day in court. Accused persons in this country are entitled to due process and a fair trial. We do that because that's who we are - a nation of laws.



I understand that police officers put their lives on the line for us everyday. But, quite clearly there's been a procedural lapse here. We hope Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik can provide us with answers soon.

Ironically, this is the same liberal sheriff who grabbed headlines with his statement about Arizona being "the mecca for prejudice and bigotry" right after the Giffords shooting.

Is this how we repay our veterans? Jose Guerena was a young man who answered his country's call and lived through hell so that you and I can continue to enjoy our freedom. Is this how we repay a warrior who served his country with honor through two tours of duty? Gun him down like a dog in his own home in front of his wife and child?

We are all shamed by this man's death and I hope justice will be done. The Guerena family deserves an answer. Every veteran who served with honor deserves it. Every citizen of this country deserves it. If we can't, if we won't deliver justice, how can we continue calling ourselves a nation of laws.