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Original Message

Our Response

To: meme@stcloudstate.edu
Sent: Sunday, February 23, 2003 2:34 AM
Subject: response to letter regarding your reaction to signs on car@SCSU

Dear Melissa,

I am writing to you in response to your note on my windshield at SCSU. Since you did leave your e-mail address I assume you want a reply. I do appreciate your concerns about your husband's role as a deputy. The public is always made aware of how dangerous an officer's job is.

If your husband works for Stearns County it is very possible that he knows me because I have been a water patrol officer for Stearns County for 9 years. I have started and have been the Neighborhood Crime Watch captain in our area for two years and I am part of a police bagpipe band for the last 3 years. My son Justin whom the St. Cloud Police nearly shot was in Explorers until his mental illness forced him to quit. We have given donations to almost every law enforcement program in the state of Minnesota. I also have another relative who is in law enforcement. I am not against police because they are a necessary part of our society. However, what I do resent is the fact that when an officer makes a mistake he/she is not held accountable for their actions. They are exonnerated from almost every wrong decision they make. I hope you have had a chance to read our website at www.injusticeunveiled.com.

As a mother you can understand that your family is the most important thing to you. Your children are the ones you would protect with your life. They are and always will be part of you. You must know that I am no different when it comes to my children and my family. My son Justin was once a normal, happy boy who looked forward to all the joys and dreams other kids have. But a mental illness called schizophrenia has taken all of his hopes and dreams from him. It is no fault of his- mental illness just happens. It is a biological brain disorder caused by too much dopamine in the brain which causes bizarre thinking and withdrawal from reality and society. With proper medication he can do better at least with the hallucinations and delusions.

We had tried everything humanly possible to get Justin help after his new doctor, Dr. Davis, reduced his meds. With the reduction in meds and the St. Cloud Hospital refusing to admit him he became more delusional. I had called 911 for help and my husband and I told Officers Stellmach and Gohman he needed to be taken to the hospital. They would not listen. Instead of help we almost saw our son shot to death in front of our eyes. Put yourself in my shoes and ask yourself, How would I feel if this was my family? How would I feel that all those involved in this injustice refused to accept responsibility for their actions? As Chief Ballentine stated, "Yes they made mistakes. Yes they did not follow all procedures. But it's unfortunate that it happened to your family". What kind of response would you or your husband have to that?

Mental illness can happen to anyone. One out of 4 families have someone with a mental illness. I hope you never have to go through the heartache, the constant worry, and the pain that people with mental illness and their families face every day because of the stigma and the discrimination against them. I have learned to live with the mental illness Justin has but I can't understand nor can I let the system continue to treat those with mental illness so inhumane. I have to speak out not only for Justin but for all the people with mental illness.

I know we need police officers to protect the public. I know that their job is dangerous. They also know danger is the reality when a police officer takes the oath to protect and to serve. I know that most officers are good people. It is the few officers that, as you pointed out, try to control people, have difficult personalities, are arrogant, and are hard to deal with. When these officers make "mistakes" should they not be held responsible for their action? Unfortunately, I have lost all confidence in police officers. Would I ever call 911 for help again especially for an officer? Absolutely not! I am afraid that the next time may cost the life of another individual. The guilt I carry for calling 911 on May 3rd, 2002 which nearly cost my son's life and had caused him unbelievable suffering in the Benton County Jail will never be forgotten. How anyone involved in this ordeal can turn away and live their lives thinking they have served justice is incomprehensible.

I do wish you and your family well. I do appreciate that you wrote the letter. I hope you have a better understanding of why I have to advocate for changes in our system regarding the people with mental illness. Maybe by showing this letter to other officers they can understand that how they respond to certain situations has lasting effects on all those involved. They may write up their reports and go home but the families they effect have to live with the trauma that they experience for the rest of their lives.

Sincerely,
Carol Otremba

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