Saturday, September 30, 2006

Montgomery Police Office Keith Houts Clings to Life

A Montgomery police officer, Keith E. Houts, was shot in the head Thursday afternoon during a routine traffic stop near my son’s school. If the suspect, Mario Woodward, is the right guy, Officer Houts probably didn’t realize he was pulling over one bad-ass thug. According to court records, Woodward served six years for the manslaughter of his girlfriend in Prattville, got probation for a couple of drug charges and was believed to be the driver in a drive-by-shooting but only got a year in prison for parole violation. I know we can jump to conclusions and speculate and whip ourselves into a frenzy. So, I’m going to hold off on convicting Woodward and let justice take its course. I hope the cops got their man.

Houts is clinging to life. His spinal cord was severed. He and the alleged shooter are about the same age, early 30s. Not much else is similar though. Houts, who served in Kuwait, was making something of his life. Woodward was only making trouble. If you are the praying sort, say one for Officer Houts and his family. And while you are at it, say one for all of the brave officers who serve and protect.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

We will be adding Officer Houts and his family to our prayers.

Sheila said...

We have a good police chief from all I know. He says that police work is challenging when the guys that get put away keep getting out so soon. It's a dangerous job that we take for granted sometimes. Yet, if there's trouble, the police are the first call we make. I hope for the best for the young officer.