A Debt of Gratitude

As we go to print, few details have been publicly released about the confrontation involving Ibragim Todashev, a 27-year-old man who turned violent while being questioned in his Orlando townhouse regarding the Boston marathon bombing attack and an unsolved 2011 slaying of three men in the Boston suburb of Waltham.

According to unconfirmed media reports, Todashov, a mixed martial arts fighter, attacked an FBI agent after admitting that he was directly involved in the murder of Brendan Mess, 25, of Waltham; Erik Weissman, 31, of Cambridge; and Raphael Teken, 37. Weissman and Teken, Hy”d, were both Jews.

When the incident was over, Todashev had been shot to death and an FBI agent was taken to a hospital. Fortunately, the agent’s injuries were not life-threatening, but this latest development is another reminder of the very real dangers that Americans in general — and law
enforcement in particular — face on a daily basis. We are grateful that the FBI agent in question wasn’t seriously injured and wish him well.

Because of his connection with an infamous terror attack, the Todashov story has drawn considerable media coverage. It is important to bear in mind that FBI agents constantly have to deal with the very real threats presented by violent and highly dangerous individuals.

While we may on occasion disagree with individual decisions made by the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, these brave men and women put their lives on the line as they seek to make this country a safer and more just place to live. The American people owe each of them a debt of gratitude.

To Read The Full Story

Are you already a subscriber?
Click to log in!