The Glade 4.0

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/12/25/ark ... index.html

(CNN) -- A Salvation Army major was shot dead in front of his three children on Christmas Eve in North Little Rock, Arkansas, authorities said.

Maj. Philip Wise, 40, was gunned down Thursday. He was found lying by the back entrance of a Salvation Army facility, said police spokesman Sgt. Terry Kuykendall.

Wise apparently dropped two bell ringers off at home and returned to the Salvation Army building with his three children, ages 4, 6 and 8. Two men carrying handguns approached them and demanded money before shooting Wise, Kuykendall said.

The suspects fled on foot.

Police received a 911 call at 4:17 p.m. Pulaski County Coroner Garland Camper said Wise's wife, Cindy, made the call from inside the building.

"My heart goes out for the family, losing their dad, and I guess having to witness it during this time of year," Camper told CNN affiliate KARK. "It's definitely going to be hard on the kids."

Wise had been active in the Salvation Army for 16 years and was assigned to the Baring Cross neighborhood of North Little Rock for the past three years.

Area Commander Maj. Harvey Johnson said the Salvation Army will hold a news conference on Christmas Day.

"We would hope that whoever the perpetrators are would step forward," he said.

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. It is perhaps best known for its donation centers and bell ringers who collect money for the needy during the holiday season.

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I can't believe the inhumanity of some people. May the killers be caught, tried and justice done. These animals should not be free.

Okay, the Salvation Army is one of the charities I respect, even if I don't want to join them. They aren't perfect and don't claim to be, but they are there, every disaster they can get to, they are helping people and work their tails off doing it. In normal times they make you listen to a sermon to get your free meal and bunk for the night. If you're down and out, you've got the time, might do some good. What were these idiots thinking, that he'd be carrying the kettle receipts for the day? Gunning down a man in front of his kids?

Really pissed off right now. I didn't know the man who was killed, didn't have to, he didn't deserve that.

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The U. S. Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself. B. Franklin

"A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone." -- Tyrion Lannister, A Game of Thrones

Ugh. That's all I can come up with

The other night I had no cash but ended up chatting with a SA worker outside the grocery store for about half an hour. She seemed like an amazing woman. Arguably a little over zealous, but incredibly passionate about people. I need to do more.