A new bill in Texas could change how the public can see police records. This bill, called Senate Bill 15, has already passed the Senate and is now waiting for a vote in the House. It has the support of a large police union in the state but is not liked by groups that want more government transparency.
What’s in the Police Records Bill?
This bill would create a new type of file for police misconduct records. These records would include information about bad behavior, investigations, and any punishments given to officers. The public would not be able to look at this new file. However, other police departments could see it when they are hiring. This file could also be used by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and during certain criminal court cases.
People who support the bill say it is important to protect the privacy of police officers. They believe that officers should not be treated differently based on where they work. These supporters also say the public could still get some information about police misconduct, just not from this new file. They argue that other ways to get these records would still be available.
On the other hand, people who are against the bill say it would make it much harder to hold police officers accountable for their actions. They worry that it would create a “secret file” of police misconduct. They believe it would be much more difficult for regular people to find out what happened and get the records they need. This would make it harder to know if the police are doing their jobs correctly.
Senate Bill 15 has already been passed by the Senate and is now awaiting a vote in the House. If it passes the House, it will be sent to the governor for his signature.
On August 12, 2025, the city of West Memphis made a significant move: Major Stacy Allen, Captain Mose Walker, Officer Treasure Gaither, and Officer Blake Forthman were fired from the police department. These four had previously been placed on paid administrative leave while an investigation was underway.
Why Were They Fired?
The department launched both internal and independent investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct. The findings led to the termination of these officers, reflecting the city’s intent to uphold public trust and fairness.
A Voice from Within: Jennifer Jordan Speaks Out
Jennifer Jordan, a former West Memphis Police sergeant who served for 13 years before leaving in 2021, revealed that she had been aware of serious concerns for years. Between 2019 and 2020, at least 12 women approached her with complaints of harassment and unsafe working conditions. She reported these to department leadership, but little was done at the time.
Jordan expressed deep frustration: “I’m not happy, because it took so long, and now we have other alleged victims. It didn’t have to come to this.” She emphasized the lack of a safe process for reporting such issues. In her view, officers had to go through a chain of command that included the very person accused—Major Allen.
Jordan hopes these firings mark the beginning of meaningful change in the department.
In recent days, our news feeds have been flooded with heartbreaking stories—each one a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the urgent need for justice. From police shootings and homicides on Black children to mass violence, these events demand our attention and collective action. It is imperative that we come together as a society to discuss these pressing issues and work towards creating a safer and more just world for everyone. These stories serve as a call to action, prompting us to advocate for meaningful change in our communities and beyond.
Sonya Massey’s Assassination: A Shocking Police Shooting
In Springfield, Illinois, the tragic death of Sonya Massey has sent shockwaves through the community. On July 6, 2024, Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman, called 911 to report a suspected prowler near her home in Springfield, Illinois. Two deputies from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, including Sean Grayson, responded to her call. The situation escalated rapidly, leading to a tragic outcome.
The 36-minute body camera footage, released by the Illinois State Police, reveals the chaotic moments leading up to Sonya Massey’s death. Here are the key details:
The Encounter: Grayson and the other deputy arrived at Massey’s home just before 1 a.m. They found a black SUV with broken windows in the driveway. Massey opened the door and engaged in conversation with the deputies. The officers asked for her identification card and discussed the vehicle parked in her driveway.
The Boiling Pot Incident: Grayson noticed a pot of boiling water on Massey’s stove and asked her to move it to avoid a fire risk. Massey, seemingly upset, said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson drew his weapon and threatened to shoot her. Massey immediately apologized and ducked behind her kitchen counter.
The Fatal Shots: Grayson fired his pistol three times, fatally striking Massey in the head. Most of the footage was recorded by Grayson’s partner, whose identity remains undisclosed. The second deputy did not fire their weapon and is not facing charges. Grayson did not bother to render aid and told the partner it wasn’t necessary after the partner attempted to grab his medical kit to render aid.
Sean Patrick Grayson, the deputy responsible for the fatal shooting of Massey, had worked in SIX different police departments in less than 4 years. He was fired after the shooting. Before joining the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, he had two DUI convictions. Grayson discouraged his partner from trying to save the victim, as shown in bodycam footage released on July 22, 2024. Grayson’s lawyer recently stated that he is an army veteran with stage 3 colon cancer, diagnosed last fall. The lawyer also mentioned that Grayson surrendered himself within half an hour after his arrest warrant was issued and emphasized that he is not a threat to the community.
2. Indianola MS Mass Shooting: A Night of Horror
Areon Butler, 19, of Indianola, MS
Outside a nightclub in Indianola, Mississippi, a mass shooting left three 19-year-olds dead, and more than a dozen injured. The tragedy unfolded during a birthday celebration, casting a dark shadow over what should have been a joyous occasion. According to reports, officers were putting up barriers to manage traffic flow when the shooting broke out. The three victims were Areon Butler from Indianola, Cameron Lee Butts and Marquette Bates from Greenville. Areon Butler just graduated from high school and was set to attend Mississippi Delta Community College this fall with plans of becoming an auto mechanic. The City of Indianola declared a state of emergency and placed a curfew to keep people off the streets while they continue to investigate this among many incidents related to gun violence.
3. Fort Lauderdale Birthday Party Shooting: Innocence Lost
Three-year-old Rylo Yancy was one of the children killed in the drive-by shooting at a kids’ birthday party.
On a fateful Sunday afternoon (July 21st), 3-year-old Rylo Yancy was attending a birthday party at Riverland Park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The celebration was meant to honor the first birthday of another child. However, tragedy struck when gunfire erupted around 4:30 p.m. The incident was a drive-by shooting near the 900 block of Southwest 27th Avenue.
In the chaos that followed, 911 calls captured the panic and urgency. Witnesses screamed for an ambulance, desperate to save the injured toddler. Despite swift efforts by Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue, Rylo Yancy succumbed to his injuries. He had just turned 3 years old in May.
The aftermath left family members devastated, and social media overflowed with expressions of grief. At the park, remnants of the celebration—balloons and decorations—were scattered around the scene. Food, drinks, and other items were left behind on picnic tables, a stark reminder of the innocence lost to senseless violence.
WLPG Local 10 News in Broward County, FL
Detectives have identified and located one of the vehicles involved, but no arrests have been made yet.
4. Noah Burns’ Mysterious Death: A Homicide Uncovered
Noah Bush, 8, of Jessup, GA
In the quiet town of Jesup, Georgia, tragedy struck when 8-year-old Noah Bush was found dead in a borrow pit near his home. What initially appeared to be a heartbreaking accident soon took a dark turn, leading to a homicide investigation. On May 16, Noah was reported missing. His lifeless body was discovered the next day in the borrow pit filled with water. He had last been seen with two boys: a 10-year-old friend he had known for a few months and an 11-year-old he had just met that day.
Noah’s family immediately questioned the official account. They knew their son was afraid of water and wouldn’t willingly approach it. Their doubts intensified when the sheriff’s department declared Noah’s death an accident, ruling out foul play. Noah’s mother, grief-stricken and determined, refused to accept the accident theory. She believed there was more to her son’s tragic end. Her persistence paid off when, after 55 days, authorities reversed their stance. The cause of death? Homicide.
During the investigation, it emerged that one of the boys had pushed Noah into the deep part of the borrow pit. A borrow pit is an excavation site where materials like dirt or soil are dug out for use elsewhere. In Noah’s case, this seemingly innocuous pit became the setting for a devastating chain of events. Suddenly, what seemed like a tragic accident became a criminal act. The 10- and 11-year-olds were arrested and charged, as well as the mother of one of the boys, Natalie Hardison, for a felony charge of making false statements. It just happened to be a coincidence that Noah was Black and the two boys arrested were white.
*sigh* I’m tired, yall.As a Black mother, wife, daughter, and sister…I am tired.Do we live in fear or…what do we do?
