WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderPolice supporters rally online, form support group

Police supporters rally online, form support group

By Bob Schaper

ROCKFORD (WREX) -- This past week saw loud protests and rallies for supporters of Mark Barmore, the 23-year-old Rockford man shot to death by police last week. But a quieter voice builds, too, this one in support of police.

13 News heard about this story yesterday when we were invited to join a new Facebook group in support of officers Oda Poole and Stan North. Since then, the group has more than doubled in size.

Brandon Baney doesn't know any of the people involved in the Barmore incident. But when he heard about the Facebook group he jumped at the chance to join.

"I think when this is all said and done the truth will prevail and these officers will be apolgized to and pardoned and we'll go on with our lives as usual," he said.

Like other people who've posted comments, Baney thinks Barmore should have dealt with the police openly when they first approached him.

"Instead of doing that he tried running from the police," Baney said. "And something horrible happened because of that."

The Facebook group was started by Jason Andrews, who grew up in Rockford but now lives in Charlotte, N.C. He told me via e-mail he just wants the officers to hear a voice of support.

Winnebago County Board Member Fred Wescott, who joined the group, says police need the moral backing of the community.

"They need our support," Wescott said. "And this is a time when we all need to take a deep breath, think of calm, and let the investigation run its course."