Blue Bloods, CBS’s popular police procedural drama, delivered another moving portrayal of the hardships our heroes go through on and off duty. “Life during Wartime” was Friday’s episode. It showed the pain officers feel when they are forced to use their weapon in tragic circumstances as well as the emotional toll it has on their lives.
The episode also highlighted how crime is “spiking” in New York City, where the show is set. It also noted that attrition has reached a record high and that it’s “a tough period for cops out out there”. All of these are true in real-life. It is not surprising that crime would rise as good cops retire or resign in record numbers in the city.
Friday’s episode featured Officer Lester (Cameron Knight), a police officer who is called into the office of Police Commissioner Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck) because the liberal mayor of the city wants to reopen a shooting-death case in which Lester was declared innocent.
Abigail: Officer Lester.
Frank: Take a seat. Do you know why?
Lester: No, sir.
Frank: 26 months ago, you were cleared for the shooting death Louis Lamar.
Sid: By a Queen’s jury and by the NYPD.
Lester: That’s what I know.
Frank: Frank, The mayor has asked that the department reopen the case.
Lester: I don’t understand.
Sid: This makes us two.
Lester: Do you have any new evidence?
Frank: They haven’t shared any of their knowledge with us.
Lester: How is that fair?
Frank: It wasn’t.
Sid: Lamar’s relatives have been pressing City Hall to reexamine the shooting.
Lester: I was innocent then and I am innocent now.
Frank: From your perspective, what happened that night?
Lester: Lamar’s car fit the description for a vehicle used to commit a gunpoint robbery. I pulled him over and ordered him to not touch the wheel. He instead reached into his jacket, almost like a hawk.
Sid: It’s impossible to know where he was taking his cell phone.
Lester: Or that it was not his fault. It hurts me to this day. I would do the exact same thing if it happened again tomorrow. I would.
Frank: So, are you at peace with your actions?
Lester: I’m far from at peace, and probably will always be. But I did my duty and I’m trying to live with the consequences.
Frank: Thank you for your visit. We’ll be in touch. This thing is going to beat him up pretty well. Keep an eye out for him.
Frank later meets his team to discuss the case. His Deputy Commissioner for Public Information Garrett Moore (Gregory Jbara), pointed out that times have changed and it doesn’t matter whether a minor victim is shot by an officer of color. He says that “a cop is not black, brown, or white” these days. They’re just blue.
Frank defends his officer with his usual wittiness and wisdom.
Abigail: I pulled the case folder from my desk and the trial transcript. Lester was found to be justified in using deadly force. It was a great shoot.
Sid: This is exactly why our shooting team cleared Sid and a jury acquitted.
Frank: That’s why I signed it off.
Abigail: It was a tragedy, and not a crime. That has not changed.
Garrett: Other times.
Sid: What does that mean?
Garrett: Really? We have a minority victim.
Frank: And a minor cop.
Garrett: These days, distinction is all that’s needed. A cop is not black, brown, or white. They are just blue.
Frank: A bumper sticker?
Garrett: No.
Frank: It sounds like it. It’s as thin as the decal that it’s printed on.
Garrett: It’s common wisdom out there.
Frank: We’re not out there Garrett. We’re in here. Any wisdom is built upon actual facts. This year, the department saw record numbers of people leave. This is the largest in NYPD history. It’s a fact. My wisdom is that I cannot afford to lose another great cop. Lester is actually a good cop, who was cleared of any tragic incident.
Sid: Boss! I never thought that I’d say it, but you sound a lot like me. Except that you are way more articulate.
Garrett: Are you saying no to the mayor?
Frank: I don’t believe it is justice to harass a person for as long you need until you get what you want.
Garrett: It might be possible to spin that into “We’re working towards it.”
Frank: Yes, but that’s going to sound like we’re stonewalling.
Garrett: Let me do my magic.
Abigail: But they’re going, “Cops protecting police again, same old tale.”
Sid: If we don’t, then who will? Sid: If one PP starts to pursue cleared cops then the rank and file will go crazy and there will be another stampede for exits.
Frank: Yes, that’s right.
Garrett: How?
Frank: I don’t know. But we count on you.
Frank is a beloved character because of this! He speaks truth boldly and confidently in a time when the country desperately needs it.
Officer Lester later decides that he will visit the family member of the man he shot. This scene powerfully portrays the overwhelming emotions both victims’ families and the officers involved feel.
Lester: Mrs. Lamar, I’m Robert Lester.
Mrs. Lamar: We are aware of who you are.
Lester: I don’t mean to bother, and I know that you must hate me.
Mr. Lamar, You killed our son.
Lester: You should know that I think about Louis every single day. I killed a man that I had never met, and that is what kills me.
Mrs. Lamar: Do you want to share your pain with us? You don’t understand the meaning of the word.
Sid: Robert? Let’s go. Let’s go.
Mr. Lamar: Make certain he doesn’t touch his hands when you are not looking.
Lester: What’s your purpose?
Sid: They bought a doorbell camera. It was rung the moment you arrived.
Lester: I just want ’em to know that I’m sorry.
Sid: Robert it’s not the right time or the right place.
After the weekly Reagan family dinner Frank has a conversation with his father and sons regarding Lester’s case. All of them share their thoughts about their experiences as officers.
Frank: A jury of his peers cleared Officer Lester.
Henry: And the computer. And nobody gives a damn.
Frank: I could refuse review of the case.
Henry: And go to war against the mayor?
Frank: Pop, it is my job to stand beside my officer.
Henry: You have 35,000 more to worry about.
Danny: Do you want to have a private conversation?
Frank: Only for cops
Danny: There are two of you right here.
Jamie: This is about Lester?
Frank: Word’s out. I see.
Danny: Yes, it is. Every house in the city is talking.
Jamie: What are you waiting for?
Frank: Not hardly.
Jamie: If Lester skates the public will call it a cover up.
Danny: Yes, but if he does, then every cop who has ever been charged with excessive force will be a target. Me included.
Henry: If you stay in the same job for long enough, someone will point a finger.
Frank: Sometimes that’s a good thing, but not in this instance.
Jamie: Said another cop.
Danny: There’s no way to be perfect.
Henry: Amen.
Jamie: Lamar is not a bad person. He did nothing more than reach for his phone, and he was killed for it.
Henry: He died because of his refusal to follow an officer’s instruction.
Danny: This means that you can’t pin the item on Lester.
Jamie: I am not blaming anyone.
Frank: Frank, unfortunately, the mayor is trying to make that my job.
Henry: What are you going to do about it?
Frank: Lester took it from my hand.
Danny: What did he do? Turn in your papers
Frank: Yup. Friday, the end of the tour.
Danny: Wow.
Jamie: Well, damn. Jamie: Well, damn.
Frank: Well, not quite. I gave them back. I pointed out that a cop in active investigation cannot resign.
Danny: That’s in the book!
Frank: It is.
Danny: Very well played.
Jamie: You threw the book at his head. Jamie: So, you threw the book at him. Why not let him go in peace?
Frank: Because without one officer, I can’t fight the battle for all of us.
Lester’s case was finally examined by two agencies and cleared again. Frank warns him that “Full disclosure” of his findings would not prevent a review by CCRB, a possible civil suit from the family or any kind of federal civil rights violation. But I will stand by you, representing the 35,000 police officers who will be standing beside you, no matter what.
Frank offers him the opportunity to resign if desired, or to “stand with me and stand for your department” during a press conference to announce the results of the second inquiry.
Frank’s unwavering support and bold encouragement encouraged Lester to reply, “Let’s do it,” to which Frank replied, “Thanks Officer.”
We are truly grateful! This episode was a well-deserved thank you to all the officers who risk their lives every single day in such difficult and thankless situations. Bravo, Blue Bloods! We salute you!
Conservatives Fight Back! This episode was sponsored in part by Kohl’s and Capital One. Click on each advertiser to find their contact information.
