I am praying for everyone who reads this and has submitted a comment. Lord help us all. Can we say ten commandments..if we all followed these would we have a world so out of control. Think about it. Back to basics people. Yes your children are watching you and they lead from your example.

The officers did their jobs. Barmore decided instead of surrendering to police to run into a daycare...where little children are. The officers decision was for their protection but mostly the protection of the children present at the daycare. Unfortunately, Barmore grabbed one of the officer's weapons, which intern led the officer's to use lethal force. Everytime a fatal police shooting occurs there are people who are against the police, people who are neutral, and people who support the police. The only thing to do in any situation is to follow the evidence and witness statements. We have to remember police risk their lives everyday to protect their communities, and they too have families. They put their whole life on one decision, whether pull the trigger and shoot the suspect or whether to not shoot and possibly put their life and our innocent bystanders. I believe the officers did what they were trained to do. I feel bad for Barmore's family, because the world lost a young life.

The officers did their jobs. Barmore under the influence of drugs acted poorly. He chose to run from the police. He ran down into the boiler room. The officers guns were drawn when they opened the door to the boiler room. Barmore grabs the barrel of the gun. The officers fire. Who was the drug pusher that got Barmore his high that day. I hope the police find him and make him take responsibility for setting this all up. Innocent children in the day care could of been injured or killed so that pusher could make a few bucks. Drugs are taking this city to hell. We are not safe on our streets, in our homes and our little children can now get killed in our day cares. We need to rip into these drug dealers in our town. Our judges need to hit these dealer hard in our courts and we all need to start praying for revival in our city. We need to also start being responsible parents such as knowing where our kids are. Kids that are supervised stay away from drugs a lot more.

Quite honestly-I am extremely sick and tired of hearing about the poor black boy!!! Why is it that we have to hear this time and time again when people get themselves into trouble? The only ones crying race are those who are in trouble- have been in trouble or left this kid out of their lives.He was a VERY troubled fellow. When this happened I did not look for the color of his/her skin! It made me sad to think that this person had gotten themselves into such trouble that the situation could end the way it did.Mr Jesse Jackson and crew-LOOK AT THE FACTS!! WHY WAS MR BARMORE RUNNING ANYWAYS? WHAT WAS HE THINKING? He put so many in danger.INCLUDING OUR AWESOME OFFICERS! My hats are off to those 2 gentlemen. It is never easy to take a life. In this case folks - our officers did their job. Did Mr. Barmore work or live off of US?? Where was his family when he was constantly in trouble??? To the Brown women---SHAME ON YOU!!! You will also someday have to own your sins and LIES!!!

Enough is enough on the Barmore story! A known drug user/dealer, he runs into a church daycare center to hide. Has anyone thought, "What if he would have grabbed someones child as a hostage, instead of the officer's gun? An ink pen to the thoat of a child is a deadly weapon! Maybe the officers shot him before that was planned by Barmore. I applaud the training officers must go through. I can appreciate it being a trained firefighter for the last 20 years.

To comment on what this person named C.J said, even if Barmore ran into the daycare,why did the pro's run right behind him if he was so dangerous? I think they should of called for backup,The District Att. said they cleared the building and they did'nt. Today I read in the paper that he grabed the officers gun and had it pointed up at his face,when they had been saying that he went for his gun.And if you were paying any attention to the story it is alway's changing to make Barmore look worse and worse. It is not what they did but how they did it, and now you have children seeking help for what they seen,something that might have them scared for life, did anyone ever wonder if one of those bullets had rickashade and hit a innocent bistander

I just don't understand how this is justified going into a daycare where there is baby's in there, and some 0f them seen this happen, wonder if it was one or two of your kids in there.I do believe they were trigger happy with no reguards to the adults and children in the daycare.

Mrs. Brown should have testified. the grand jury needed to hear her story. If she truly was concerned about justice for Mr. Barmore then Christmas should have been postponed. The Mayor, the Chief of Police and the States Attorney would lie, steal, and cheat to justify the shooting of Mark Barmore.If I were a member of the Barmore family I would be equally upset with her. She should have been held in contempt. It's sad for all parties involved(the Barmores, and both officers and their families). God knows their hearts. If it was cruel and vicious. They might get by but they won't get away.

What is all this talk about Rev Jesse Jackson stirring a pot, what are you people talking about,Do you even know, it shows your ignorance, and i hope to God it stops at you who hide on these blogs. Saying things you would NOT dare in public.WHAT IS IN THE DARK SHALL BE BROUGHT TO THE LIGHT!!!

I believe that people need to stop "taking" sides and looking at the bigger picture! There was a man shot and killed! Regardless of the fact that a white cop shot a black man, its wrong to shoot someone around children and other people who had nothing to do with the situation. There were children watching and nobody seems to care about the things these children saw! Why isn't these officers being reprimanded for putting these children at risk? For those of you that say "we" on the west-side don't raise our children, you arte so wrong! I was raised on the west-side of Rockford and I am not a criminal, a member of a gang nor do I disrespect anyonhe else or their property. That is an independent decision! For those who say that I would say are completely misinformed!

Jesse and that Pastor are both dumm and for a Pastor a Man of God he should be in his church and pray for piece and not stirr the Pot like he does, if I would belong to his church I sure would find me a other one and make sure most of the people come whit me, because a Pastor makes sur to keep his sheeps in pease and harmonie and happy and not be a loutmoul like he is and throw his arms up and screams like an Idiot Pastor go back to your church and start praying and make shure you get Gods vergiefnes because you need it and when you ad it make sure pray for Jesse to

This incident is absolutely rediculous! Why did Barmore run into a daycare putting little ones at risk? If Barmore had direction and discipline in his life as he was growing up, then perhaps he would not have been in a situation that he brought on himself. Does anyone come yell racism when a non-white person guns down a white person, police officer or not? Where is (Rev)Jesse Jackson then? Reverend? What a disgrace he brings to that title! Whatever you do, if your child is missing, or you are being assulted or beaten, be sure you don't call a cop, take care of it yourself, unless if your black and YOUR SURE a black cop shows up just for you! How about realizing, that those officers were doing there job and they were protecting the innocent ones. All of this could've been avoided..IF Barmore would've surrendered before even running into the daycare. I am also very ashamed and disgusted in Cheif Epperson and Mayor Morrisey who should be speaking up for our officers, where are you?

I have read some of the comments posted on here and I really cant believe how ignorant some of you people are. Were any of you there? Were any of you the ones that had to make a choice? Personally we will never know the truth of that day but hopefully learn from it. We can point fingers all we want but unless you were there or unless you had to make the choice your comments are just opinions not facts so remember that and let the courts figure out this mess because really what is done is done and you cant change any of it. I know everyone wants to make this a racist issue but is it really? Or was it more of a typical criminal issue? I mean really white or black the idiot had to know there was children in there before he entered the building and the cops did what they had to do. I think if the cops didnt shoot him and the guy for sure had a gun we would have a whole other issue growing dont you think? So my opinion is this let justice be served where it needs to be end of story!

To all those that believe Officer Oda Poole is Racist Please TRY and answer this.......How Racist was Oda Poole when he ran into a burning apartment at the Fairgrounds Valley Housing Project and rescued the people trapped inside? Reading into the article, Oda Poole put him in a situation where if it wasn't for Rockford Fire saving him, he could have been killed saving these children. Oda was awarded the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor for his actions. This medal has only been handed out to 34 officers statewide as of 2007. Where is the Racism in his actions here? Anyone ever question that? How many people forgot about this because its not news to them. This is news to me ..GREAT news... no Racism attached. Let me suggest you rent the movie 'Crash.' Running into a burning building doesn't exempt anyone from having hateful mindsets. Matt Dillon's character proved this. He killed Barmore in front of CHILDREN. Obviously, they weren't too concerned about stray bullets.

It's rather scary that armed officers can run into a daycare center with children present, and gun down someone who was wanted for questioning. If they were concerned about this at all, at the least they could have tried to make sure the children and anyone present were not in harm's way. Going after someone who is armed and dangerous is one thing, but when that danger has the potential to extend to innocent bystanders, then the Rockford police needs to be sure that some form of protocol is set up to ensure the safety of others.

4 kids kill an innocent kid in Chicago.Where is Jesse???? He's not involved because there is no race issue to be stirred up!!

I have read a lot of the blogs written from pepole in the community it saddens me that pepole are making this into a race issue wake up pepole this about right or wrong dont matter what color the person is and the things that is happening to his family is ludicrise his family has nothing to do what happen in this sadden incident we as a communitty should be embracing her for the loss of a child it was wrong to show his rap sheet on the internet we all fall short from our glory it is not our job to judge anyone sure we have ignorant pepole in our community but the bible says pray for the ignorant ive always been proud to live in rockford all my live just to know pepole can be hated by the color of our skin when do we start standing up for change instead of hate and let the justice department do their job and pray that justice is pervailed my prayers go out to the family of this young man and i also pray for peace in this community

It hurt my heart to see the racism among a small minority of self riteous, judgemental closed minded people. It is ugly and frightening to think that some have so much hate. I do not pretend to know what Officer Poole had in his heart when he shot and killed that young man; but it does seem that he does have a itchy trigger finger. After all think about it. Barmore was wanted on a domestic disturbance matter. It is a terrible reason to die.

IT'S NOT ABOUT RACISM THESE POLICE OFFICERS ARE LOSING THERE MINDS I MEAN IT'S ONE THING TO KILL AN INNOCENT MAN BUT IT'S ANOTHER THING TO PULL A GUN OUT IN FRONT OF A BUNCH OF FOUR YEAR OLD KIDS AND YEAH PEOPLE SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THERE ACTIONS JUST LIKE THE POLICE OFFICER SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS TO,WHY WOULD HE SHOOT HIM DOWN IN A SANCTUARY,ALT OF THE COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG IS RACIST SO WHY TAKE OFF THE GOOD COMMENTS AND LEAVE THE BADD ONES.

YES,I THINK OFFICER ODA POOLE IS RACIST BECAUSE OF THE FACT IF HE WASN'T RACIST WHY IS THE K.K.K'S COMING TO ROCKFORD TO MARCH WITH THE POLICE NEXT SATURDAY ON OCTOBER 3,2009 AND I BELIEVE THE ONLY REASON HE SAVED THOSE KIDS OUT THAT FIRE WAS BECAUSE HE WANTED TO MAKE A NAME FOR HIM SELF AND HE KILLED THAT BOY IN COLD BLOOD WHAT POLICE OFFICER YOU KNOW WOULD SHOOT A MAN 5TIMES WITHOUT A WEAPON OR A HESITATION TO STRUGGLE WITH THE GUN AND ON TOP OF IT ALL THEY STOOD OVER HIM AND SHOT HIM IN HIS BACK ND YEA I BELIEVE HE'S INVOLVED WITH THE KLU KLUX KLAN BECAUSE WHY ELSE WOULD THEY BE MARCHING WITH THE POLICE.AND ALSO I FEEL HE'S A MENACE TO OUR SOCIETY AND HE SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS ACTIONS,AND THEY EXSPECT US TO TRUST THE POLICE WHEN ALL THEY DO IS SHOOT AND KILL INNOCENT PEOPLE.

Alot of people are on here saying rude comments about someones family member.If you dont know the facts you should keep your comments to yourself. And just a quick question to all those saying bull**** about the black community. Why is that a white male can drive up a one way start a car accident send someone to the hospital, try to run away, not have a drivers lisence and not go to jail. Is it because he was white?? or maybe the cops were just being nice?? or maybe because the victoms were black females?? I dont know but **** like this is not right.

To all those that believe Officer Oda Poole is Racist Please TRY and answer this.......How Racist was Oda Poole when he ran into a burning apartment at the Fairgrounds Valley Housing Project and rescued the people trapped inside? Reading into the article, Oda Poole put him in a situation where if it wasn't for Rockford Fire saving him, he could have been killed saving these children. Oda was awarded the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor for his actions. This medal has only been handed out to 34 officers statewide as of 2007. Where is the Racism in his actions here? Anyone ever question that? How many people forgot about this because its not news to them. This is news to me ..GREAT news... no Racism attached. http://www.rrstar.com/news/publicsafety/x772320346/Officers-earn-medal-for-brave-acts

I can't believe how this has turned into such a extreme matter. I feel that instead of blaming the "white officers" for shooting a "black" man, everyone should get to the real root of the problem. Yes, I totally agree that racism is very alive ...from both races. But this situation is about right and wrong, not black and white.I am white and live on the west side. All summer kids walk up and down the streets until 3 in the morning. They fight, yell, curse, litter, and disrespect the people that care about our neighborhoods. The police get called but they can't do much becaust they are minors and they usually scatter and run. My question is where are their parents? Why haven't they taught their children respect. Don't they care that their child is out all night long? We as parents are the main influence on our children.

This isn't turning into a race thing. I lived on the west side for many years. Served in the US Army for 4 years and treated every neighbor with respect and my closest neighbors treated me back with just as much. I served 4 years in the US Army. I lent a hand to anyone. Yet, We were the only whites on the block. We were also the only ones to have people park on our lawn with their high beams facing inside our windows at 2 am, 4 am in the morning. We were also the only ones where people would through rocks through our windows almost hitting my year old and wife. Or had others throw their garbage into our yards when they drove by. But yeah. Rob is right. Everyone needs to man up and take responsibility for their own actions. I mean EVERYONE.

Jesse Jackson is garbage. GO HOME! When is the black community going to stop seeking out a leader and realize that they need to man up and take responsibility for their own actions?

Rev Jackson is nothing but a publicity hound and a racist.I can't believe all the coverage this guy is getting.You would think he was important or something. Shouldn't he have been at OPRAH??

Why was he RUNNING into a daycare center if he had done nothing wrong?

Why is it that Jesse Jackson was able to view the body of Barmore and then tell the public what he saw. Our Police Chief was chastised for making his comments to the public. Jesse Jackson is known to stir things up and cause more racial tension. I believe this is a reversed racist act.

this is not about what the rpd did wrong its about race if it were to black cops that shoot Barmore this wouldn't even be a issue

This should be about right and wrong- not black and white. Barmore apparently was under suspicion for some sort of domestic battery. He has prior convictions for violent crimes including using weapons. The info the police had at the time was he might be armed. He runs away from them and INTO a daycare. Let's see- if he hadn't been followed- he may have been putting chldren at risk. The eye witnesses told RRstar that he was shot 8-9 times including in the head. That he walked out of a closet with his hands up and the police just shot him. Jesse Jackson tells rrstar he had 3 wounds in the back- none to the head. How did that happen if he walked towards the police with his hands up? How did he get shot in the back? The fact that Barmore is black and police are white is smoke and mirrors. He was a chronic offender of the law- he belonged in jail. He ran and resisted arrest (as he has a history of doing). Right and wrong.

In response to "T", maybe you can find a news archive of Chief Epperson speaking immediately after the incident. It came directly out of Epperson's mouth that Mr. Barmore WAS UNARMED and REACHED for the officer's weapon-NEVER ACTUALLY GETTING IT IN HIS POSSESSION. Please search out the archive, watch it and maybe your next post will contain something remotely intelligent. My nephew lost his life unnecessarily.

Oda Pool is a executioner with a badge and a gun. He needs to go to prison for murder & the other cop is just as bad. Both are rogue cops who are not fit to be on the police force. I wonder how many more are the brothers under cover?

There was no struggle between Barmore and the officer for a gun. The police should have shot him in the legs or below the waist. They know what they were aiming towards. Barmore went to his church because that is where he felt safe at. Any black man will run from police because they are scared of what they are capable of. In this case he was scared for his life... for a good reason.

I am tired of the whole east -vs- west side. So many times we get "if i lived on the east side you would send me an officer faster" geeeez ignorance, demographics have nothing to do w/getting assistance.

This Blog needs to be taken down. All people are innocent until proven guilty.

DR. RUNDALL AT JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL TOLD THE KIDS AT THE LAST MINUTE, THEY WERE NOT ALLOW TO COME HEAR THE SPEECH OF REV JESSE JACKSON. I CHILD COME HOME EVERY UPSET AND CRIED ON THE PHONE TO HER FRIEND WHO WAS ALSO UPSET. I FEEL THAT WASNT RIGHT FOR THEM TO BE BOOST FROM THE SPEECH WHEN IT WAS FOR JUNOIRS AND ALL THE KIDS HAVE ENOUGH UNDERSTANDING TO DO WHAT REV JACKSON WAS TALKING ABOUT

Good show, so called 'T(The Real One)' You can't dispute the facts so you turn to personal attacks. Your liberal handlers would be so proud of you. Run along now, there's probably a healthcare meeting for you to go try and disrupt real Americans from asking questions.

I am tired of east side vs west side.I live on the east side and drive 65 mile each way to work so I can live on the east side. Quit complaining about living on the west side.Get in your hooptie with the 24" rims and get a JOB!!

Why is a cowardly namejacker allowed to post on this blog? Not to worry, T (the real one, not the namejacker) we know who you are and are not fooled by the idiot flamer and troll.

The last post by the "T(The Real One)" just shows his/her ignorance. He/she obviously is more afraid because they attempted to use a posted by that already posted. They want their warped view of society, where every white is a racist and every time a polce officer shots someone (if the shoot-ee is black) it's racially motivated. Nice try, no dice. And I especially like how we now have Jesse leading the greiving masses in a funeral for this criminal. What about the Rockford residents who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan? Haven't seen ol J-Dog at their funerals? Course not, not nearly enough publicity. No, 'Real T', the one who last posted, you are the punk with no life, blaming others instead of taking responsibility. Playing the race card any chance you get. You are not great and powerful, your opportunistic, weak, and pathetic. You put your personal goals ahead of 'racial peace'. You feel you're entitled to things instead of having to work for them. You are sad.

If anyone wonders how about the racism in Rockford, all they need to do is read the blog. I wonder how many of you have sheets in your closets.

I am the man with all the facts and all the answers... Am the great and all powerful T! I know he had a weapon and I know that every "non-white" person is being racist about this situation. Oh and I have an answer to everyone's comments! I am the great and powerful "T"! I would never say these comments if I weren't hiding behind a computer screen! I am the great and powerful "T". Don't say anything that opposes me because I am the great and powerful "T" and you will be wrong. You know why I'm right because someone made me God of the Greater Rockford Area and Beyond! But remember I will never show my face because I'm really a punk with a computer and no life. I hide behind one sided opinions and a computer and I have all the police facts. I am the Great and Powerful "The Real T"......

I think we need to take it easy on Rev. Jackson. He, like everyone else, is suffering during these economic times. It's hard to extort businesses under the guise of racial discrimination these days with the economy the way it is. That plus the fact that Obama has taken his place as most prominent person of color, it's tough for the guy. His name just doesn't carry as much weight these days, he's not as important as he thinks he is.

Message for Jesse Jackson: You are needed in Georgia. A pastor was shot during an undercover drug sting. It's on CNN.com. Police & witnesses have conflicting stories. Oh wait, it was a white pastor. Nevermind.

Wrong Fake T. He WAS armed, with a knife and then he fought the officer for his weapon, firing it in the process. Barmore took his live in his own hands when he decided to try to take the officer's gun. Tragic is when you lose your life accidentally or not by your fault. Stupid is when you lose your life trying to do something like, oh, I don't know, maybe taking a police officer's gun! And before all you start - If you're gonna tell me they don't know if he had a weapon, where's the proof, don't you dare tell me he was unarmed, because you don't have any proof either. Simple question - if he was as innocent as you claim, why did he run, why did he hide?

I see that we have some ignorant and racial people in this city! It don't matter if Barmore was black or white, the fact is that a man lost his life what about that! It don't matter what his crime was he was unarmed.

In response to D - You are correct. Little known fact about Jesse. Besides sticking his nose in matters he really shouldn't (and making them worse), two of his biggest favs are a good mosh pit and the music of CDB. So if you see a cowboy hat tricked out with bling, you know who's there. Too bad Metallica wasn't in town, then he'd really be happy.

Nicole - Supposing you do still read this, tell me, just how is the phrase " trigger happy cop on our hands. 5 years on the force with 3-4 people shot and a few dead?" un-biased and non-judgemental? I doubt you have all the facts on the 'few dead', but I'd imagine that the trigger happy cop was in fact trigger happy because he was in a position where he had to protect himself (or others) and his life was in danger. You immediately bring up 'trigger happy cop', yet you fail to mention if those in the '3-4 people shot' group were just as trigger happy. I believe one of those people were trying to run him over with a car. You're right, I guess it would have been better to be thrown from the car, maybe run over. No, you may not have technically said 'racist', but your comments all but said it. Your comments show that the only version of the truth you will be satisfied with is the one you want, which more than likely is not what really happened.

I suppose someone should've asked this criminal why HE decided to hide from police in a location with young children in it. See , bad choices are just followed by more bad choices. Seems to me the cops are trigger happy racists except when they're protecting you. Pity Pity , Jesse the race fly is trying to land on the pile he sniffed out in Rockford. Anyone who uses their religion to hide behind to make a fortune insulting others in the name of color is a most certainly my hero. Maybe he can stay for OTW and take the Miller Stage with Charlie Daniels, wouldn't that be fun?

I fail to understand why everything gets down to the color of someones skin. This young man was half white...His birth mother is white...we haven't heard about that! This young man appeared to be a threat to the police officers that were there. What would you do if YOU were in the same situtation? If your life was on the line? Do you really think that these officers contemplated the color of his skin? Or did their training automatically take over? Isn't this what we as citizens pay taxes fir, to keep us safe? Think about what could of happened to all those children if things had developed differently!

I do not understand why so many people are upset over a civil rights leader visiting Rockford. He was INVITED by members of this community. I personally do not believe the shooting was racial, but a man HAS lost his life. The lost of life is a civil rights issue and deserves a fair and honest hearing. We as a community owe at least that much to the man who lost his life, his family, the children who witnessed the incident, the officers involved, and ourselves. To anyone that believes that Rev. Jackson presence is only stirring up emotions, I can only say my emotions were stirred up when I heard of a man being shot to death in a church witnessed by children, not when I heard that Rev. Jackson was visiting Rockford.

A lot of people are saying this is not about race. Well, Jesse Jackson just made it about race. If this was a white man gunned down by black officers, we would have never heard from him, NAACP, & the rest of them. This is a bunch of crap. The guy should never have ran into that school. If he was SO innocent, why did he run? EVERYONE LISTEN!!!! If you're innocent just lay down! DUH!

Drive through the west side of Rockford and tell me what you see.. now, start counting the number of different races on the west side of town.. I would put tall money on african americans winning that poll.. Since the majority of crime happens on that side of town, now you can see what the police are dealing with.. white black brown blue, who gives a crap. the police are here to take the scum off of the streets rather it be in handcuffs or bullets, who cares. thats their job and I applaud them for taking one more thug off of the streets. The punk was leading his life downhill..yes he had kids, feel sorry for them, but his "baby momma" and kids will prob live a better life now without him putting them in the gutter along with himself. you live a life of crime, expect death or prison. then know that but yet think its cool to be locked up since they sing songs about it.. and live the rap culture lifestyle.. and thats not just blacks there are white pieces of crap that do too.

If bullets are what it takes to get violence to stop then let them fly. Its just one more punk off of the streets.. What they need to do is knock down the bridge in Rockford...keep the bad on one side of town then they dont have to search as hard for them.. they dont like water anyways..

Well "T" I never said the officer was racist.... you did. I'm looking at his record.... and Yeah I am waiting for the facts. I've rushed to no judgements. Everything you've stated is hear say. He hit a woman, not to say he didn't but I haven't seen an official report on that. He struggled with the cops? Not to say he didn't but I haven't seen a report on that. None of those things have come out as true. We don't know if the witnesses are telling the truth about his hands being up either. I'm waiting you're not... He had a knife? Were you there? I'm reading through all your comments and your saying many things as though they're facts. I never said the young man was wrong and the officers were right or vice versa. I commented on all your "non-white" comments and I'm waiting for the facts nothing more. This will be my last comments to you because I see you're ongoing rant is never ending. I wish all the best... let it rest. Just let it rest.

Some people are lacking logic but they are in good company with Jesse Jackson. According to JJ, Barmore was shot in the neck. Logic tells me its because 1) there was a struggle going on when the other officer first fired his gun or 2) the gun Barmore was trying to get his mitts on fired in the struggle. Police are not trained to bring a subject down by shooting him in te neck. It will be interesting to see what direction that bullet was going-from front to back or back to front. Logic also tells me that if these officers were evil they would have arrested Barmore and taken him someplace where no one could witness them executing him.

Wow!! I can't beleve the things some of the people on here are saying. I may be out of touch with a lot of things but regardless of the color of your skin you are HUMAN first and we all have made some kind of mistake. But to judge with out witness or evidence has blown my mind. Because The Last Judge (God), no matter what the out come will choose the Justice. In the world what is put out there allways comes back be it good or bad. I have nothing but prayer in my heart for all of the Rockford Family because it seems we need it now more than ever.

In response to Diane - For someone who's first sentence asks "What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty?", you may want to practice what you preach. Your thoughts of innocence especially come through with such phrases like, "...given their history of killing people". No, thankfully we don't have to follow your tactics for presumption of guilt or innocence. And you forgot to add one more thing as to what this person was. He was someone's abusive (now former) boyfriend. And it was apparently the trigger happy cops' fault that made him arm himself with a knife and then attempt to grab an officer's gun, firing one shot in the process. Glad a child didn't get hit, but then if one did you'd probably blame the cops for that as well. Be a cryin shame if people decided to take responsibility for once.

alot of ignored people live in this city!!!

Shame on the parents who refused to let their child listen to Jesse Jackson's speech at Jefferson! Its a message that all parents should be telling their children. Too bad Jesse Jackson should have to do what many parents should be doing all along. There would be no more Mark Barmore tragedies. So sad that he didn't get the message JJ brought to the kids today.

Can I ask a question to the community, Where was the community at when officer Rice was shot by a criminal years back? I didn't see the community go seek out Jesse Jackson or make a big uproar when it was a black on black crime. All anybody did was say that is so sad and we feel bad for the family when everybody should have been more passionate than last weeks incident. Officer Rice was not a criminal just a man going to work doing his job to support his family and for this he had to pay with his life. Criminal life results in one of two things jail or death and until these criminals understand that, things like this are going to happen but don't put the blame on people who are there to do thier jobs. Maybe the community should also start blaming the church for lack of security measures at the daycare which unfortunately is a part of our life nowadays since young people would rather be criminals other than a productive citizen in society.

There are two stories. Officers and the so called witnesses. There is a on going investigation so lets see what happens.

To B.R. I think if it was a white man shot in a daycare in front of children there would be just as much publicity, but no where near the controvercy. The daycare operators,Pastor, and parents of the little kids would be hopping mad, and 90% of the community would support them. Why does it matter what color the unarmed man was? Isn't it enough that he was unarmed, not threatening the women or kids and in the middle of a daycare ran by a church? If that doesn't raise eybrows what would? There's no way you can convince me that cops school teaches cops to handle things this way they did.

Barmore was not unarmed. He had a knife, and he tried to take an officer's gun (unless you want to accuse the police of planting the evidence). No, they didn't kill an unarmed man. They did however have the right to protect themselves against someone intending to harm them. They did have the right to protect the children at the daycare facility he was at (forget that bit of info?). And you forgot to add one more thing to what Barmore was. He was someone's abusive boyfriend. For someone who's first line is innocent until proven guilty, you sure do a quick job convicting the officers. Maybe you would've liked it better if 'innocent' Barmore shot one or both the officers? Maybe you would have liked it if 'innocent' Barmore shot or stabbed a child? Nice try, no dice. Good thing the real world isn't as doom and gloom as you portray.

What ever happened to innocent til proven guilty ? So glad we still have freedom of speech though...Barmore lost his life cuz those 2 police felt they had the right to kill instead of grabbing the unarmed man & taking him to jail...2 cops against a unarmed 23 yr old....what a shame ! I The truth...hopefully will come out soon...This is a terrible thing for children to witness....the police should have known better & handled this in a better way...I agree that these 2 cops should be checked out too...given their history of killing people...instead of handling things in a better way...think about it...would u want them to get ur children? I think not !!! Every life is worth saving...Mark Barmore was somebody's son...someone's brother..someone's dad...he didn't stand a chance against 2 cops that r trigger happy...My condolences to the Barmore family...

Nicole - And you have waited for the facts? Tell me, suppose this mean, trigger happy, racist officer didn't fire, suppose he either stayed outside the church or didn't fire during the struggle and let this thug (anyone who hits women is a thug) either shoot a child or hold them hostage, as the thug had already grabbed the officer's gun? You can be dang sure you'd be on here saying this racist officer doesn't want black kids to be safe. No, you aren't satisfied until you have 'your' version of justice, and you don't care about the facts. 3-4 people shot, a few dead? Guess what? You wanna live the 'playa' lifestyle, toting around the 9, bustin caps on people who diss you, you're gonna have to face the consequences. This is the real world, not some lil Wayne video or Grand Theft Auto. Doesn't matter what color your skin is, you assault women, you carry weapons illegally, you are a criminal. You don't need a Master's or Bachelor's Degree to know that (or at least one would think).

So you're saying "non-whites" don't raise their kids and "non-whites" live on the west side? Guess what hunny I'm a "non-white" and I live on the east side, raised by a single black woman that has her Master's Degree and to add to that I have my Bachelor's degree so before you open your mouth...think twice. All police aren't bad but we do have a trigger happy cop on our hands. 5 years on the force with 3-4 people shot and a few dead? That's a bit much ...uh what name did u go by on here? "T". Wait for the facts "T" then talk...

Oh thank goodness Jesse's still here. Apparently the group that paid for him to come stick his nose into other people's business could only get his fancy room if he stayed more than 3 days. So surprise, he pops up at Jefferson. We are SO LUCKY! And to all these people claiming Rockford is a racist city - then leave! Nobody's keeping you here. How about this, how about the police just stay out of the west side of town? Since you all are convinced the police are bad, how about you doing their job? You won't because then there'll be no way for you to dispute the fact! The fact that instead of getting these individuals to stop their violence you blame the (usually white) authorities. You want to know why more 'non-whites' are killed? Because they are the ones doing the more violent crimes. Stand up and really be the community activists you claim to be. Stop taking the 'it's not our fault' route. Take responsibility, you raise your kids. Take ownership of your actions, man up

If he had done nothing wrong, why was he hiding in a storage closet???

i will not be sending my son to school today. thanks jefferson for the heads up on this, i had to find out this morning on the news. mr jackson has no business at our schools. he may not talk about the shooting but everyone knows why he is there. these children are not mature enough for this kind of "out reach". as proved a couple of years ago with the reaction to the principal being fired. i thought jefferson and the school district was making good headway. now here i go again, finding another school district to send my kids to school. shame on rockford. and for the shooting, where was mr jackson when the white guys got shot by the cops. people should not run from the cops thats all there is to it. and if a criminal went into my sons school i would hope the cops would follow him in. what if he would have taken the kids hostage. the police had no idea what his intentions were. after all he was a wanted criminal. the proof is in his past!!

WHEN IS ENOUGH NOW YOU HAVE ANOTHER GROUP RAISEING HELL BECUSE A BLACK FIRE FIGHTER IS ACUSED OF CHEATING ON HIS TIME CARD. IF HE,S NOT GULTY ITS UP TO THE JURY.NOT THE BLACK COMMUNITY . IF MR JACKSON WANTS TO DO SOME GOOD START WITH THE BLACK ON BLACK VIOLINCE THE GANGS THE RAPPERS THAT PROMOTE THIS HATE THE DRUG DEALERS THAT SELL THIS JUNK THAT DESTROYS FAMILYS . NOW THAT OUR CITY AND COUNTY LEADERS ARE BOWING TO THE PRESURE THE REAL LOSER IS THE TAX PAYER LAWSUIT AFTER LAWSUIT MR JACKSON WOULD NOT BE HERE IF THER WAS NOTHIN IN IT FOR HIM. I SOPOSE WE SHOULDNT HAVE LAWS AND REVERT BACK TO THE STON AGE WHER THING WAS SETTELD WITH A CLUB.REMEMBER THE ONLY REASON YOU NEED A COP IS WHEN YOUR VICTIM OF A CRIME AND WHEN THE COPS CATCH CRIMINALS THAY CRY THER THE VICTIMS. I WONT LOSE NO SLEEP WHEN THE POLICE DEPT TAKES DOWN A THUG. THIS CITY IS THE WILD WEST OF CHICAGO AND IF YOU FEEL SAFE IN THIS TOWN YOU ARE IN FAIRYLAND.IT NEEDS TO STOP BEFORE WE HAVE RODNEY KING INCEDENT.

would all this publicity all be happening if it was a white man shot in a day care center in front of children

It's all about risk assessment. The police assessed the risk from Barmore at 10 on a scale of 1-10 and that's why lethal force was used. Problem is that the pastor's wife and daughter didn't see it that way and were horrified when the unarmed man was shot to death in a DAYCARE center full of diaper babies and toddlers. Since Barmore was unarmed, it looks like the pastor's wife and daughter had the most accurate assessment. Too many people are overthinking this. An unarmed man was shot to death in a daycare. If this would have been black cops shooting a white kid in that same daycare there would be no controversy. We all would agree that police should be able to arrest an unarmed man without shooting guns near women and little babies. Just imagine if this would have happened at Christian Life or Trinity Lutheran's daycare! The cops story doesn't make sense. How does Barmore get close enough to grab a gun? Cops always stay far away and make the guy lay face down before cuffing the

i think that the person that let this guy in the church is, as much to blame as the cops that shot him, but you don't hear any one mad about that, why is that, is it becouse a black person let him the church? i feal bad for the family, it's a shame a life was lost, but the only real person to blame is the guy that the cops were after, he should have just gave up, and that would have ended it, and no one would have got shot.

As I read these responses, all I can do is cry. I have a very family and group of friends. I see color, ALL colors, as beautiful. It is sad to see that racism from both sides is still so alive. I have mixed children and feel it from both sides. I pray that one day Dr. King's Dream will REALLY come true. In my eyes President Obama represents a small step towards that because he is black and white. But I see that there is a long way to go. I respect Rev. Jackson, but I feel that he just creates more racial division. Regardless of my opinion of the case, my deepest condolences go out to Mark's family and friends. Maybe something positive can come out of this. Did anyone ever think that he would bring Rev Jackson to Rockford or make such a stir? Sometimes bad things happen to create good. Either way it goes, he won't be forgotten.

All I'm saying is Rockford, IL is a white racist city, always has been, always will be. They don't want any minorities living there whatsoever, if they did, they wouldn't be trying to kill them all off. In the last year they have killed 4 young men (3 by tasers and 1 by a gun) (3 black and 1 hispanic) and yet they keep coming up w/lame excuses to justify their actions. Im glad someone finally decided to "STAND UP" and something needs to be done before its too late. I mean the last time I checked this is a free country. No I'm not saying that people should get away w/breaking the law but I am saying there are better ways to handle the situations. Note they are all domestically related in some way ... I guess they should of killed Chris Brown too then huh!!!!

What would have happened if the guy would have taken the officers gun and shot one of those kids then what would people be complaining about then?

Why is it that we blame an want others to pay for our actions. You are a criminal you should pay. People get shot at all the time are we screaming and picketing to stop the bangers, and hoodlums on the street. No we just go after the ones who are doing a job and protecting citizens. If I had kids in a day care, and someone came in weopon with them or not I would want my child protected and survive, because I raise my children. Look aorund parents are just letting their kids run the streets no regard for adults, teachers, and police figures. Its time to wake up parents, be reponsible quit making exscuses for your failures and grow up quit setting the example of not growing up yourself. This is not just a problem in Rockford it is nation wide. Even our own president said to do this. And I didnt even vote for him. Yet I do agree. Its time time to be responsible.

I truly feel sorry for the 2 police officers involved in the daycare shooting this week. one or both of them is going to have to pay dearly just for doing his job.what makes it so sad is that the payment they will have to make will be, in all honesty,not be because of guilt, but for appeasement!! Would there have been this type of uprising had the officers not been white?

where did the paramedics come into this, really- what did they have to do with the shooting, grow up.

why didnt they tazzer him ?why did they shot mr baremore when children wasnt arround?

What about the children in that daycare facility? How would people react if one of those children would have been injured in this incident? That man had no business running into that building. The police had to make a decision, protect the children or risk them. Now its made into a huge racial issue even though they say they aren't, that's what it has become. What about those kids? people commit crimes, why not focus all of this media attention and the rallying on things that will impact the community, the future, something we can do something about? Im sick of hearing the poor pitiful me stuff. I understand the grief by the family, however, this isn't going to bring him back. He made a choice to flee and run into a daycare facility where children were, I see the police doing what they felt was necessary to protect those children. Why not focus this attentnion of getting help for those kids who are being impacted by this the most. I'm sure they are terrified. Make daycares safer...

My Kids are all mixed so im not saying this out of hate but if it was a WHITE man that got shot in the same incident I dont think that it would have had all this neg attn toward the police the Black community would of cheered but now since it is a BLACK man everyone wants to say that it is the police that are at fault and call in the Rev Jesse Jackson but did you ever think that if he was not in no wrong doing at all they would have never chased him in the first place. I feel sorry for the family but at the same time the police were protecting their self and the community. Keep up the good work RPD.

The people in the communities are crying foul, why? Because a white cop shot and killed a black man?!?Nothing would be said if the colors were reversed. The people of that neighborhood are making it racial. Then they question the safety of the children at the daycare. Where was their concerns and safety for those children when they were chasing after the police to witness the incident? He may have come out of that room with his hands in the air but who's to say that when he was being handcuffed, he didn't reach for the officers gun and try to shoot it. Their stories and claims stop with him coming out of the closet. Then there's the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Why is he involved? I'm glad to hear and see that outside sources are investigating this incident. The people at the daycare and in that neighborhood have made this a racial issue right from the start and now are singing a different tune about coming together to resolve this. He was running from the cops for a reason people!!!!!!

This is terrible, Not a Race issue. It seems to be affecting everyone. Here and all accross the nation. The police and government are out of control. There seems to be 2 sets of laws. One set for you and me and another set for the govenment and police. Split society, the rich the poor, the people the government. The laws and consitution are for all the people all the time. Murder is Murder. In front of small children and in a church is an awful sin. The shooters should be tried in front of a jury to see what really happened. Then if quilty, go to prison or death, that is the law for all the people. My sympathy to us all. Rockford seems to be very out of control. Our mayor needs to get off his butt and do his job. Not just as it pertains to this but as it pertains to many issues. (roads, high sales taxes, police cheifs, Firehouse people, vacant buildings bought and sitting, loss of business and jobs, etc.

As long as we have music that praises violence against women and police, put police in a negative light that encourages violence, praises drug use and the 'playa' lifestyle. As long as we have men who won't step up to their responsibility to be a father. As long as we have people who instead of looking inwards ALWAYS blames the police/mayor/anyone else, especially if they are white. As long as we have situations where instead of dealing with the facts we cry racism and bring in individuals or more often than not make the situation worse instead of better. As long as we martyr the criminal and villify the person doing their job. As long as these things happen, situations like the one we're in now will always continue. Always come up with an excuse for why a criminal would run and/or attack an officer. Bring in Jesse or Al to stir things up more. Put your personal quests ahead of the truth. No, nothing's getting solved with this, and nothing probably will.

time to drop alot of the coverage all you are doing is adding fuel to the fire it wasa horrible thing that happened maybe the police are guilty of excessive force it will come out in the investigation but after seeing their record it seems as though they are loose canons who have watched to many cop shows

I watched the news tonight about people seeking refuge from the law in a church. I think this is taken out of context. Just if he had run into someone's home, the building should have been surrounded and clergy and/or mediators should have coerced him out. In reality, anyone who runs into a building knows they will eventually be taken into custody. It is just a stall for time. Their mind is not functioning correctly under pressure. I do not think the officers should have pursued him inside the building. Would they have shot him in say perhaps a crowded grocery store? Everybody involved exhibited poor judgement that day. Mark paid his price for poor judgement. When or if the officers pay their price for poor judgement remains to be seen. I personally think it will work out favorably for the officers which will be seriously unjust for the community as a whole.

everyone needs to calm down! what happened was a tradgedy, but I guess I don't understand! where was the outrage when last year a black man left a gun by a dumpster and two innocent kids found it and one lost his life? where is the outrage to stop the gangbangers? maybe if everyone would work together it would be a safer place for everyone! RACISM STARTS AT HOME!!! there are black racist as well as white racist! come on people stop teaching your children to hate, it has to stop somewhere let this be a wakeup call!! one thing that has bothered me is this young mans father has been front and center at all the photo ops, why was he raised in foster care? maybe he should have been front and center in his son's life instead of in his son's death? please everyone take a step back and wait to see what happens!!

"One should not go into a church, or a temple or a synagogue with guns blazing," says Rev. Jackson. SEND THIS LUNATIC HOME! One shouldnt have to go into a church shooting if the criminals wouldnt seek shelter in a church. If they want church in their life so bad then they should try going before the cops chase them there. Hate to tell you Jesse. But if the criminal wanted to go to church so bad, then maybe he should have went to church before he was running from the cops, not after the fact! This Jesse character is stirring up more racism than anything! Would he be here is it was a white man that got shot, I think not...

The only thing that could cure all of this race card bs would be for the cops to let a cop of their own race deal with each and every situation that arises. So if your running after a black man, send a black cop, running after a white man, send a white cop.... That sounds ridiculous but thats the only way to please the idiots who pull the race card everytime a black man or woman get caught by RPD. Teach them and guide them in the right direction before they start causing trouble.

SEND JESSE HOME!!!

L. I commend your academic achievements. However, it would do you well to at least acquire your GED from the "School of Life". Until such time just sit still and continue to look smart. As a matter of fact your first assignment is to review the "real life" case involving a Professor "Skip" Gates. Please submit your essay(1000 wds)in a timely manner. Your failure to do so may result in life, as YOU see it, remaining the same. P.S. take off the rose-colored glasses.

Wow, at least it's good to know when you stand up for something in this CITY people still LISTEN! I couldn't be more pleased with the hightned awareness this has lead to, and the pressure it has put on MEDIA & CITY OFFICALS to do the right thing! They keep telling me I'm way in over my head. I tell 'um I like it right where I'm at. NO JUSTICE NO PEACE!! & Thank You Jesse Jackson for coming to Rockford! ~ JUSTIN

In response to L: How do you know the person never grabbed the gun? You're quick to claim that there was no gun. The invidual in Loves Park, did he run into a daycare center where children were present? Did he hide in a closet? Was he armed with a knife? The problem with an investigation (especially since Jesse has decided to add his 2 cents) is that the people crying police racism will not be satisfied until the police are punished. They could have video in front of them and they still would not believe it. And why is it that people standing up to those whose are claiming the police are wrong are being racist? Would this same level of hatred and venom be displayed if the officer that fired the shots was African-American? Have we sunk to such a level to where 'community activists' will only be satisfied when it is a rule that only officers of the same racial background as the suspect are allowed to give chase? Would you be protesting as loudly if the suspect injured a child?

"The person never grabbed or fired a shot from the officers gun, he wasn't that successful if he was trying to grab the gun. We weren't there so we shouldn't speculate what really happened." You're right, we weren't there...therefore you can't really say Barmore did or didn't grab the gun. Let's wait until the investigation is concluded before we speculate.

In response to T.. The person never grabbed or fired a shot from the officers gun, he wasn't that successful if he was trying to grab the gun. We weren't there so we shouldn't speculate what really happened. I am not turning this into a race issue like the rest of Rockford but here is my stance. Lets not be judges and lets allow the authorities to do their investigation. No one deserves to lose their life, the use of deadly force should have never been an option because the Loves Park didn't deem deadly forces on the suspect that ran from them on Friday. I have read through this blog and the level of racism and ignorance is through the roof. Lets stand up with one another and stop trying to act like we are still in the struggle. Not all black people are thugs, I hold a Ph.D. from Northwestern and I am not a crook nor am I raising my family in that manner. How about we stop with the hatred, lets get past all of that.

I'm going to try to put this all in perspective. An officer was in a fight for his life. This was not a boxing match where the participants shake hands afterwards and go out for drinks. This is a fight where one man lives or several people die. the only reason someone tries to take a gun from a cop is because they have made a decision to kill..Period! There is no disputing that. This is a fight for life knowing that if you lose this fight, you are dead..That's what goes through the mind of a cop when he is fighting for his gun. Sorry but, game over. Oda Poole has been awarded a medal of courage when he went into a burning building and saved children only to need medical treatment himself. This happened at fairgrounds. What happened to the officers firing their guns while Barmore was on the ground including finishing him off with a shot to the head? It seems the eye witness accounts are ever evolving..

WOW! Rockford is so screwed up. Who do you trust anymore not paramedics if your a scumbag, and heaven help you if your in jail or have nine kids living off of the goverment. I hope I never have to use paramedics in town

Robert, the person grabbed the officer's gun and fired the first shot during the struggle. Had he been successful in grabbing the gun there would be one, possibly two officers wounded or dead, not to mention what could have happened to the children in the daycare center. No, I don't think the decision to shoot had anything to do with how the officer felt, unless you want to consider him feeling, like staying alive and protecting children.

The use of "deadly force" by a police officer should never be decided by how he or she "feels". It should only be used if and when the officer is faced with a visible threat of death or severe physical injury to him/herself or other individuals in the area. To justify the use of police powers on the basis of how any police officer "feels" in any situation sets up a very dangerous precedent for all citizens. A higher standard of judgement should be used by police officers who are to provide all of us with a reasonable level of safety and security. Real safety is seldom provided by a gun.

JUSTICE is finding out the truth and until the community starts viewing this as a RIGHT and WRONG issue justice will not be done. It is important that the focus is not lost in the midst of peoples' opionions and personal feelings. The truth must be determined by someone who doesn't have a vested interest or connection with our police department and community.

The rockford police are trigger happy I went to then mayor's office looking for someone that could help my girlfriend our daughter and I cuz all these place that are suppost to help the home less either wont return my calls or cant help me cuz I don't qualifiey for the programs so I go to the mayors office and there nothing nothing they could help me with accept take them to the homeless sheltter were all the hookers and drug addicts that really a place for a 4 year old. I say we impeach the mayor cuz the fool don't know what the hell he's doing he reminds me of the corrupt govener thet ran the states name in the ground and ran to new york. were obama when you need him I think he might have been a joke too. read this over the air and see how many peaple think the same way. ROCKFORD IS A JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!

the rockford police are trigger happy and that jackass for a mayor don't do shit for us accept actting just like that gov. we had that gave the state a bad name and then ran to new york it just sad when a 20 year old couple with a 4 year old daughter are homeless and the onlything the mayors office can tell you is take your self's down to the homeless shellter were all the hookers and drugs addicts are I'll pass thats not a place for a four year old this city is ****** up and I say we blame the mayor for all of it impeache his ass get that worthless person out of office that how I feel about it.

I am shocked and appalled by the ignorance and the obvious lack of grasp most people posting here have on the English language. If what people are writing here on this "blog" is a display of the education level of the people of Rockford...I'm sick. It's deplorable! Can the police load their guns with education bullets and fire them people next time they get out of line so I don't have to read this garbage?