Cousin of slain Delaware cop rails against media, politicians over defunding police, qualified immunity

A cousin of a Delaware police officer who was fatally beaten by an unarmed suspect last month used his funeral Monday to rail against the media and politicians for underscoring the risks law enforcement take on the job.

"What if the scenario were different and Cpl. Heacook had to take the actor’s life? What would have happened to his life? It would have been hell. The media would have been here in full force," he said. "Major newscasts ‘unarmed this, unarmed that’ every night without fail makes a great news bite for ratings. Keith would have been placed on administrative leave while the investigation was conducted." "That investigation would have taken weeks, if not months, to complete," Schwartz continued. "During that time, Keith's life would have been put under a microscope, as it's easy for folks who have no idea about police work. His family would be shunned. Even when Keith was cleared, that does not generate enough news … Off the media goes to the next story. The damage you left behind with no consequences. Just fallout for the family. But at least we’d have Keith." Heacook, a 22-year veteran of the force and just weeks from retirement, suffered traumatic head injuries when allegedly attacked by 30-year-old Randon D. Wilkerson inside a home in Delmar, Delaware, on April 25 while responding alone to 911 calls about a fight in progress. He was transported to a trauma center in Baltimore but was taken off life support four days later after his organs were donated.