"Without the police, what would happen? Chaos:" Folks rally in support of Madison police after officer-involved shooting
MADISON (WITI) -- On a "National Day of Action" Wednesday, March 11th, two demonstrations took place in Madison -- one in support of 19-year-old Tony Robinson, and the other in support of law enforcement and Officer Matt Kenny, the officer who shot and killed Robinson last Friday, March 6th at an apartment home on Williamson Street.
Madison Police Officer Matt Kenny
A group called "We Stand With The Madison Police Department" organized the demonstration in support of Officer Kenny that took place near the Capitol Wednesday. On that group's Facebook page, the message from those encouraging folks to come out to the rally is that Madison police, since Friday's officer-involved shooting, have taken harsh criticism. They say officers, including Kenny, have been unfairly criticized for having to make snap decisions in a violent situation. This group says it wants the Madison police to see that there is a large contingent of people who support them.
Some came from Milwaukee and Madison, but FOX6 News caught up with a group at this rally to support law enforcement from Alabama.
"I want to thank everyone for supporting law enforcement. We just consider ourselves one of the 13,000 strong. As our shirts say, police are the thin blue line between chaos and order," a demonstrator said.
Sandra Barcheski was on hand with her three young girls. Her husband is a Madison police officer.
"I don't think law enforcement gets enough appreciation and support from the public and we are here to let them know they are doing a great job," Barcheski said.
That's why so many came out to say "thank you."
"People are making assumptions with absolutely no facts. None whatsoever," a demonstrator said.
FOX6 News spoke with the first man to arrive at the rally. He said while he chose to take part in the pro-police rally, he's not taking sides in this case.
"I support both sides. (Tony Robinson) supporters have every right to protest, and we have every right to support our police department. I happen to love the police department here. I think they do a good job with the city and I think they've handled things pretty well considering what's been going on in the last year," Ron Torrisi said.
"We have to prevent crime, and there has been quite a rash of incidents of crime and I think that we do need the police department to protect and serve, because without the police, what would happen? Chaos," Leah Emmerich said.
Among those in attendance at the rally was Jim Palmer, the head of the state's largest law enforcement union, the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, and Madison Police Chief Mike Koval.
"No one should be rendering judgments until more facts are known, so this event was to show general support for the jobs, and dangerous jobs our officers do," Palmer said.
"A lot of these are our extended friends and family members and they ought to know we do stand together -- understanding the kinds of risks we take doing this profession," Chief Koval said.
At the rally, some were selling blue porch lights. Homeowners are encouraged to put up those lights to show their support for law enforcement. Also available -- T-shirts that say "We Stand With the Madison Police Department."
Meanwhile, posted to the "We Stand With the Madison Police Department" Facebook page is the following message from a friend and co-worker of Madison Police Officer Matt Kenny. He has been shared hundreds of times.
Matt Kenny is my friend. He is one of the most professional, compassionate, and level-headed people I have ever known. As an officer, he is someone I have trusted many times with my safety and my life. If my family needed help, or if they were in danger, I would want Matt to respond to help them.
On countless occasions, Matt has put his own safety at risk to come to the aid of complete strangers who needed help, and I have no doubt that's what he did on Friday night when citizens called 911 after being allegedly attacked, assaulted and strangled. Having been involved in a shooting myself, I can attest that no officer would ever choose to subject themselves and their families to the stress, fear and trauma that comes with such an incident - unless they believed it was the only possible way they, or another innocent person would survive to see their loved ones again.
Matt is a skilled officer who trains vigorously because understands that people will rely on his performance when they need him in the most dire of circumstances. But more remarkable than Matt's devotion to others as their protector - is his compassion for life. Matt has used his experience as a Coast Guard medic to help bring medical/trauma training and equipment to MPD officers, which has helped save the lives of many citizens throughout the city. As recently as March 1st, officers used that very training to help save the life of a young African American man who was shot multiple times on Russett Rd. Matt trains new recruits and veteran officers in the department on how to respond to mass-casualty events or active shooter situations, so officers will be prepared to help treat victims and provide life-saving first aid during those critical moments. What is clear about Matt is he has fundamental belief in the sanctity of human life, and has invested so much of his time and energy in protecting it.
There are two photos of Matt that perhaps you've seen. One is him delivering cakes to couples who were being married last year at the Capitol after the courts struck down a ban on gay-marriage. The other is Matt administering oxygen to a cat after a fire. Why did he do these things? Because he cares about people, and because he values life.
Matt is one of the many fine officers I am proud to work alongside. The people of Madison are fortunate to have such a man in their service.
Tony Robinson
A spokesman with the Madison Police Department says the police department doesn't have a stance as far as Wednesday's pro-police rally. That spokesman says whether it's a demonstration for or against police, the police department's job is the same: to protect the rights of everyone involved.
The Madison Police Department spokesman told FOX6 News he did not anticipate any sort of confrontation between the two groups protesting Wednesday.
FOX6 News spotted a small handful of folks shouting at the group supporting law enforcement as they wrapped up their gathering. Instead of yelling back, they chose to drown out the words with song.
Chief Koval attended both rallies in Madison Wednesday.
Rally in support of law enforcement in Madison
The incident involving Tony Robinson and Officer Matt Kenny began last Friday began when authorities got a call that a male was yelling and jumping in front of cars, Madison Police Chief Mike Koval said.
A little later, the dispatcher says, “Apparently Tony hit one of his friends. No weapons seen.” Dispatchers identified him as Tony Robinson, according to 911 audio obtained by WKOW.
About four minutes later, the dispatcher says, “I got another call for the same suspect at . He tried to strangle another patron.”
About 30 seconds later, an unidentified officer says, “Shots fired, shots fired.”
When Officer Matt Kenny went to the apartment, he heard some commotion and forced his way in, Koval said.
“Once inside the home the subject involved in this incident — the same one allegedly out in traffic and that had battered someone — assaulted my officer,” Koval said.
Koval says Robinson attacked Officer Kenny.
After that, according to the chief, “The officer did draw his revolver and subsequently shot the subject.”
Robinson had a criminal history. Wisconsin Circuit Court documents indicate Robinson pleaded guilty in December to an armed robbery that occurred last April.
Officer Kenny remains on administrative leave following this officer-involved shooting. The Wisconsin Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation is handling the investigation.
Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.
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