I want to start by saying that this piece is not about some facet of criminal justice — a doctrine, a law, an issue. This piece is about respect and humanity, as shown by the inspiring man, Leroy Walker.

For context, Walker lost his son recently during a mass shooting in Maine. A deadly shooting in which 18 people were killed, including a 14 year old. This was the deadliest shooting in state history.

Walker’s son had tried to stop the gunman but was fatally shot after his failed attempt to do so. His actions will be remembered by all, especially his father who was proud of him and knew that his son would be the person to defend those he loved.

Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult things anyone can go through, let alone a son to such a violent circumstance. However, despite the amount of pain that Leroy Walker is in, he has told reporters that he is unable to hate the shooter who killed his son.

His reasoning? That hating the shooter will not do anything for his son. A seemingly simple and logical reason, but amidst so much suffering and hurt, the ability to approach this from such a clear and mature point of view is respectable in so many ways.

Walker could easily foster resentment for the rest of his life against the shooter, and go on news channels displaying his rage. He instead chooses to recognize that the killer is human, and has parents who love him. Walker focuses on the fact that the perpetrator was not a destined killer, but instead of victim of something that went wrong in his own life.

For me, this was so inspiring and motivating to see. To actually witness someone go against their immediate reaction of anger and retribution and choose to humanize the perpetrator and channel that pain into something productive seems so alien in today’s world — yet it has just been done.

It’s so hard to demand that people think logically when they can do anything but, while this man represents everything criminal justice works towards. This is not to reduce him down to a vehicle of reform, as he is a remarkable person on his own; taking the time to focus on his words is simply a way to understand how theory can be put into practice, in a sense, and be done so with such compassion and genuinity.

Walker emphasized that his hate will only drive him to harm others, a thought that most people fail to consider as rational thought can often be drowned out by anger and other intense emotions.

The amount of sympathy and respect Leroy Walker commands is immeasurable, as his words and actions during such a troubling and difficult event have hopefully prompted new ideas in peoples’ minds — hate does not have to be the sole driver in consequence.