Officer Russell Timoshenko, 23, died yesterday due to complications from the gunshot wounds he sustained last Monday on Lefferts Ave. near Rogers Ave. He was a familiar face in the neighborhood - we recall seeing him at K-Dog and putting his best foot forward as a cop in a city that is generally not so easy to police.
Possibly due to his age, familiarity and proximity of the shooting to our home, Officer Timoshenko's death makes us extremely angry and sad. He was too young, earnest and the events leading to his death unfolded much too close to our home for us to pretend that it happened in another dimension or put the event into a space in our brains where death is comprised of statistics.
Around the same time of the shooting, we learned that an acquaintance from college died in Iraq. Again, another earnest, young person killed senselessly.
In our minds, the two deaths are related by the unfortunate reality of indifference. We've got many levels of scum in this country, inflicting callous, contrived and ultimately self-serving actions on others. The narcissism and interpersonal defects involved in such situations are palpable: for one president, the rush comes from inciting a bullshit war through manipulative rhetoric to keep raking in the black gold, without which he's just another guy. For two asshole thieves, the high comes from stealing a BMW and carrying a loaded weapon, presumably to make an impression and later get some bling.
Timoshenko proudly served this neighborhood and died for utterly senseless reasons, as do many young people in Iraq. Regardless of the sentence handed down when Timoshenko's murder case goes to trial, there will be no justice.
It makes us sick to our stomach.
If anyone is clear on what people can do to support the family and precinct of the fallen officer, please post a comment or email us.
Someone on the Lefferts Yahoo List suggested that "perhaps tonight we could bring cards, etc. to the Precinct at 7:30pm for a brief gathering to acknowledge this young man's life and to recognize the work of the colleagues he left behind." I think that's a very good idea--maybe we should also bring candles.
Posted by: Bob M | July 15, 2007 at 10:19 AM
Not to sound so calculated, but when reading the summary of events- it sounds like the NYPD needs to change their procedure for dealing with such a situation. You can watch shows like COPS and even hick police don't just walk up to what they suspect is a stolen vehicle. Hopefully this will be an opportunity to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.
Posted by: CarbonBagOfWater | July 15, 2007 at 11:17 AM
As I have stated on the lefferts/Yahoo listserv, PO Vinnie Martinos of the 71st Pct expects to have info on a fund for PO Timoshenko's family by Tuesday, July 17th. Upon receipt, I will disseminate. Also, the Lefferts Manor Assn Board is discussing what action they can take as well, on bahalf of Lefferts Manor, fbo PO Timoshenko and family.
Posted by: Dan on Lincoln | July 15, 2007 at 02:27 PM
Instead of worrying about stupid flyers and menus, maybe us in the PLG and Prospect Park South neighborhood should be focusing on more important matters such as the numerous shootings recently. Since July there have been many shootings; the 2 police officers, a man shot and killed on Parkside & Flatbush, a 17 year old killed at 5:30 in the afternoon on Woodruff & Ocean and most recently the 3 woman shot by a person on a bike. In order to make this neighborhood nicer, something needs to be done. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. I am a single female living here and I have to say, at this point I’m really scared to be living here.
Posted by: - | September 27, 2007 at 03:35 PM
Dear "-"
Please tell us more about the "3 woman shot by a person on a bike". When? Where? Etc. I haven't heard about this.
Posted by: Bob Marvin | September 27, 2007 at 08:39 PM