In a world where everybody thinks a keyboard is a badge, consequences still matter. The Denver Post reports an Erie police officer is no longer employed after an alleged Facebook comment that appeared to condone shooting ICE agents in the head.
This happened in Erie, inside a profession that survives on public trust and strict standards, not edgy comment threads and moral shortcuts.
The Bullet Point Brief
- Erie Police say the officer is no longer employed after an alleged Facebook comment that appeared to condone shooting ICE agents in the head.
- The officer named in the article is Haili Shimko.
- Erie Police say a resident filed a complaint about a social media comment around 7:30 a.m. Jan. 25, before a later social media post amplified the allegation.
- The department said it found multiple violations of directives, but did not specify which or how many.
- Whether the officer was fired or resigned was not released, described as a personnel issue.
My Bottom Line
The Town of Erie made the right decision here. Political violence, any sort of violence, should never be tolerated. And yes, I can already hear the cries, What about freedom of speech?! because we apparently can’t walk and chew gum in 2026.
Free speech is not a magic shield against consequences. This officer was free to make these vile comments, and they will not be imprisoned for them. But actions have consequences, especially when you’re a sworn officer, and the job is literally enforcing the law, not fantasizing about bypassing it.
You don’t get to wear the uniform and talk like the cartel.
Hopefully, never again as a law enforcement officer. If you can’t restrain your mouth online, I’m not trusting your judgment in a tense situation on the street. If you need “headshots” in your vocabulary, you don’t need a badge on your chest.
I am of the opinion that our society is where it is because there are too few consequences. It’s good to see Erie actually provide consequences instead of hiding behind paperwork, vague directives, and the usual institutional shrug that magically appears whenever the public is paying attention.
Now do the next right thing: be clear about standards, enforce them consistently, and don’t let ideology, outrage mobs, or career-protection instincts run the show. Most neighbors are decent people trying to live their lives. They deserve law enforcement that acts like grown-ups, even when the internet is begging them not to.
Source: The Denver Post
