| BARRIOZONA |
| Bilingual Community Expression Published by the Hispanic Institute of Social Issues |
| Widow of Slain Police Officer Nick Erfle Calls for Comprehensive Immigration Reform |
| Julie Erfle praises revised Order 4.1, feels "more needs to be done." |
Eight months ago when it was revealed that the person responsible
for my husband’s death was in this country illegally, I watched and
listened as people debated not just what the Police Department
should do about illegal immigration but what also needs to be done
on a larger scale in this country.
And for the most part I have remained silent. I have not said much
on this issue. But today I’d like to speak out. I would like to speak out
in support of this policy. I believe this is a very
good policy. A well thought out policy, for a couple of reasons.
One, because this policy took into consideration the experts in this
matter and that is the Officers. The people who are out there, day in
and day out, performing this job. Officers in the streets, our
Sergeants, our Lieutenants. Those are the people who know best
how to keep this city safe.
for my husband’s death was in this country illegally, I watched and
listened as people debated not just what the Police Department
should do about illegal immigration but what also needs to be done
on a larger scale in this country.
And for the most part I have remained silent. I have not said much
on this issue. But today I’d like to speak out. I would like to speak out
in support of this policy. I believe this is a very
good policy. A well thought out policy, for a couple of reasons.
One, because this policy took into consideration the experts in this
matter and that is the Officers. The people who are out there, day in
and day out, performing this job. Officers in the streets, our
Sergeants, our Lieutenants. Those are the people who know best
how to keep this city safe.
| Julie Erfle, widow of slain Police Officer Nick Erfle. Photographs by Eduardo Barraza/BARRIOZONA |
| Remarks by Mrs. Erfle on May 22, 2008 |
| Julie Erfle listens to Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon prior to the press conference, where he and Police Chief Jack Harris (background) released the revised policy. |
| Hispanic Institute of Social Issues © 2006-2008 All rights reserved. webmaster@hisi.org |
However, the policy also balances concerns of citizens. It provides for Supervisor approval and it also provides for a
way to track the information and let us know what is happening out on a street level.
I also want to note that I think that just a couple of months ago, maybe just a couple of weeks ago, what we have
here today seemed impossible. I think we should all be very interested and proud to see who is standing here in
support of this policy. We have our Chief, we have our Mayor, members of our Council, members of our Police
Unions. All in support of this policy. It almost makes me want to sing “Kumbaya,” but I won’t. I will not do that.
This is a great policy and I think it’s a great day for the city of Phoenix. However, there is more to be done. This
country is in need of comprehensive immigration reform. We need comprehensive immigration reform that puts
safety and humanity on an equal footing.
And I’ll say that again. We need comprehensive immigration reform that puts safety and humanity on an equal
footing.
We cannot have one without the other. For too long we have listened to the extremes of both sides, tell us what
should or shouldn’t be done and what can and cannot be done. And we have yet to find common ground.
way to track the information and let us know what is happening out on a street level.
I also want to note that I think that just a couple of months ago, maybe just a couple of weeks ago, what we have
here today seemed impossible. I think we should all be very interested and proud to see who is standing here in
support of this policy. We have our Chief, we have our Mayor, members of our Council, members of our Police
Unions. All in support of this policy. It almost makes me want to sing “Kumbaya,” but I won’t. I will not do that.
This is a great policy and I think it’s a great day for the city of Phoenix. However, there is more to be done. This
country is in need of comprehensive immigration reform. We need comprehensive immigration reform that puts
safety and humanity on an equal footing.
And I’ll say that again. We need comprehensive immigration reform that puts safety and humanity on an equal
footing.
We cannot have one without the other. For too long we have listened to the extremes of both sides, tell us what
should or shouldn’t be done and what can and cannot be done. And we have yet to find common ground.
I believe common ground exists. I believe that there are
solutions out there. We can no longer let our airwaves and
our papers be controlled by those who refuse to find any
type of common ground. Today I would like to propose that
because our leaders in Washington seem to refuse to do
anything on this matter, because as I’ve been told, it’s an
election year, it’s too controversial of an issue, and nothing
will be done. I would like to propose that this state takes
the lead on this issue.
We are a border state. We have a vested interest in what
happens. So I would love to see Governor Napolitano set
up a taskforce of individuals, individuals who could come
together and make recommendations on what could be
done on a state level and what needs to be done on a
national level to provide comprehensive immigration reform.
I believe this should be a taskforce that is first and foremost
nonpartisan.
We have already seen what happens when there are
people who join together for the sole purpose of political
gain. Nothing happens. You need people who are
interested in this issue and do not have a political agenda.
We need individuals who are here because they are
experts on immigration. Individuals who can give their
perspective, their knowledge, their insight into what needs
solutions out there. We can no longer let our airwaves and
our papers be controlled by those who refuse to find any
type of common ground. Today I would like to propose that
because our leaders in Washington seem to refuse to do
anything on this matter, because as I’ve been told, it’s an
election year, it’s too controversial of an issue, and nothing
will be done. I would like to propose that this state takes
the lead on this issue.
We are a border state. We have a vested interest in what
happens. So I would love to see Governor Napolitano set
up a taskforce of individuals, individuals who could come
together and make recommendations on what could be
done on a state level and what needs to be done on a
national level to provide comprehensive immigration reform.
I believe this should be a taskforce that is first and foremost
nonpartisan.
We have already seen what happens when there are
people who join together for the sole purpose of political
gain. Nothing happens. You need people who are
interested in this issue and do not have a political agenda.
We need individuals who are here because they are
experts on immigration. Individuals who can give their
perspective, their knowledge, their insight into what needs
to be done on a safety level. Enforcement. What needs to be done needs to be done on a humanitarian level. Civil,
Criminal law, Constitutional law and so forth. I believe this is a real possibility. I believe if we do this, we can finally
find solutions.
For far too long, we have done nothing. And because of that, people across this country have paid dearly. And some
have paid with their lives. Doing nothing should not be an option.
My husband was an inspiration to many people, because of the way he lived his life. Because of his strength and his
courage, when facing some pretty insurmountable odds. I believe his death can also be an inspiration. An
inspiration for positive change. I hope that we will take the lessons from his death and we will heed those lessons,
and we will move forward. I hope that today will be a first step in immigration reform, and not a last step.
Thank you.
Criminal law, Constitutional law and so forth. I believe this is a real possibility. I believe if we do this, we can finally
find solutions.
For far too long, we have done nothing. And because of that, people across this country have paid dearly. And some
have paid with their lives. Doing nothing should not be an option.
My husband was an inspiration to many people, because of the way he lived his life. Because of his strength and his
courage, when facing some pretty insurmountable odds. I believe his death can also be an inspiration. An
inspiration for positive change. I hope that we will take the lessons from his death and we will heed those lessons,
and we will move forward. I hope that today will be a first step in immigration reform, and not a last step.
Thank you.
