Copyright NPR 2014
Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson Resigns
Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, shown during his medical examination after he fatally shot Michael Brown, has resigned from the Ferguson Police Department, the AP reports. Wilson has been on administrative leave since the Aug. 9 shooting.
AP
Darren Wilson, the Ferguson police officer who shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown nearly four months ago, is resigning, according to his attorney.
Wilson’s resignation was announced Saturday by Neil Bruntrager, who says his client’s resignation is effective immediately. Wilson had been on administrative leave since Aug. 9.
In his resignation letter, Wilson writes that he hopes his resignation “will allow the community to heal.” The Ferguson Police Department has not confirmed that it has received this letter.
A grand jury spent more than three months reviewing evidence in the shooting incident before deciding that the 28-year-old police officer would not be charged in the case. The confrontation and grand jury decision sparked continuing protests in the St. Louis suburb and across the country.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch posted the full text of Wilson’s resignation letter:
“I, Darren Wilson, hereby resign my commission as a police officer with the City of Ferguson effective immediately. I have been told that my continued employment may put the residents and police officers of the City of Ferguson at risk, which is a circumstance that I cannot allow. For obvious reasons, I wanted to wait until the grand jury made their decision before I officially made my decision to resign. It was my hope to continue in police work, but the safety of other police officers and the community are of paramount importance to me. It is my hope that my resignation will allow the community to heal. I would like to thank all of my supporters and fellow officers throughout this process.”
I am sharing this article with you because not only am I a feminist, but I am a humanist. I believe in certain actions that make up civilizations. I am not writing about the grand jury decision. I am writing about a man, it could be any man, who is capable of killing someone and going on with their life as they always did.
Darren Wilson spent his time between the murder of Michael Brown and the verdict moving from house to house. He feared for his life. He feared for his life…as Michael Brown must have at those last few moments of his life. Hands up. No longer running. He turned to face the officer who was chasing him. He was doing the right thing and he was shot in the head and killed for his effort.
Darren Wilson said he feared for his life. That seems very cowardly to me. Police officers are supposed to be men of rational thinking and bravery. This officer running after a kid who may have stolen some Cigarillos and walked in the street. Was Michael’s behavior without fault? No it wasn’t. He exhibited the behavior of a teenager with raging hormones. Mouthy, not listening to adults and breaking rules. I have four teenage grandchildren and I have stood toe to toe when they got angry.
But angry they were, for about 20 minutes then the kid I knew returned. Should they have been murdered for their actions? No. They get grounded and there is a talk about anger management.
Now, there is Officer Darren Wilson who got paid administrative leave for being a coward and shooting at Michael’s head knowing he was going to kill him. They say he got death threats and he had to move around for safety. He also got married. In a very quiet, under the radar ceremony, he married a fellow officer.
People protesting and grieving around the country and then even in the world. I have tried to imagine what Michael Brown’s parents must feel like but I can’t. Not really. I have lost a husband and it was the most horrible experience. I can’t even imagine the pain of losing a child. Both of his parents have done their best to mourn in public, to try to receive justice from our country and from the world.
They are so very courageous in my mind. They are not the only parents in America that are dealing with grief, sorrow, injustice and pain because their child has been shot in the bloom of his life.
Thousands if not millions of people are grieving in the world for their children who do not have justice. Officer Darren Wilson is celebrating his nuptials and starting a new life. He is not grieving and he has denied being remorseful. A civilized man would not be living in joy after taking a life, even in the call of duty. Shame on you Darren Wilson and shame on your bride for celebrating your joy when you are responsible for the pain of Michael’s family and friends.
idealisticrebel 
Sorry but Michael Brown was not murdered, murder means unjustified killing and that is not what happened in this case. Im sorry for mr. Brown’s family and I pray for them to have peace and I also pray for mr. Wilson that he may have peace.
I understand your position and respect you for stating it. I do not believe it was a justified kill. I feel it was very wrong. But I am glad to have your comment and thoughts. Maybe time will show us who is right and maybe not. Hugs, Barbara
I am a Canadian who has been touched by the Michael Brown case. His parents are indeed brave and may they be blessed with all the strength, love and faith to get through their grief and pain.
Let us hope that Michael Brown will live on as the young man who made the United States question their system of justice and hopefully better it. May there one day be a statue in his name.
I appreciate your comments. a statue and a folk song.
Seriously? he got shot after he robbed a store and attacked a police officer!
I am sorry what I wrote upset you. I never said he was innocent, even though in our justice system you are innocent until proven guilty. Stealing is wrong but it is not a crime than calls for execution. No two witnesses agree with each other according to the prosecution. I am sorry we disagree but I respect your position and I ask that we can agree to disagree. In peace and harmony, Barbara
I was talking about the woman who said Michael Brown should have a statue built.
The statue I mentioned is a symbol as reminder that we should always question our justice system. Yes, Michael Brown stole from a store but he was unarmed.
He attacked a cop and tried to get his gun, then charged toward him. If someone did that to me I would have done the exact same thing.
Carol, you are wise and he was a kid and unarmed. Hugs, Barbara
Wilson did not have to back up the vehicle, he did not need to challenge Michael and his friend, he had options. Wilson chose to escalate the situation by backing and nearly hitting the pair – which scared them both. The end result is a dead young man and a now former police officer who will probably go on to write a book and profit from the experience. It was not premeditated, but it was no less a murder.
I agree Jackie. What upsets me that Wilson is so self centered that while the country is struggling to find a way to process this event Darren Wilson was not effectived enough to decently postpone his marriage. I feel this is an insult to everyone. Hugs, Barbara
Don’t forget that he was on paid leave (got paid w/o working). a gofundme was started (reportedly $400.000) and it’s been reported that he received around $500,000 for the ABC interview …. guess he’s done quite well. Don’t you think? …. and I’m thinking: book and movie deal. Yeah … twisting the facts for more $$$. Sure, Wilson has had it hard, so hard since that fateful day when he shot Michael Brown, the Big Hulk with an anger problem! Sickens me!!!
Horty, I didn’t forget it. I am appalled. He has chosen to disrespect himself and every other American. Miss you. Hugs, Barbara
Hugs sweet friend!!
how sad
I am still struggling with mourning for Michael and fo our country. Very, very sad! You have a well written piece and your humanism shines!!
Thank you for the for review.i respect your expertise. Hugs, Barbara
IMO, Darren Wilson should consider a new career in the middle-east as a camel herder. He won’t have to interact with people and camels’ spits in the eyes does not justify self-defense.
This is a good plan. He should take his new wife with him. Hugs, Barbara
🙂 He wouldn’t have to live wearing a disguise and looking over his shoulder each time he goes out in public. With the money donated to him, he could live a decent life in another country — even North Korea.