There has been a lot of talk about 'animals' in the past couple of days, as the Biden campaign and their media lackeys have once again tried to deceptively edit a clip of Donald Trump speaking to claim that he called all immigrants animals.
Of course, like everything else that comes out of the Biden campaign, it wasn't true. Trump was specifically referring to the murderer of Laken Riley and other illegal immigrants who have committed violent crimes in the United States after swarming across the southern border in recent years. But, of course, that didn't stop the media from trying to run with the lie anyway. (Fortunately, Twitter is on to their game and buried them for it.)
But just a couple of days after that latest episode of political gaslighting, unfortunately, we got a first-hand glimpse of who these 'animals' in our society are. Sadly, it took the brutal murder of a K-9 corrections officer named Rivan to demonstrate it.
The VADOC is mourning the line of duty death of Rivan, a K-9 killed by MS-13 gang members while heroically protecting its assigned Corrections Officer, staff, and inmates at Sussex I State Prison.
— VADOC (@VADOC) April 3, 2024
Read more: https://t.co/yA1H7wsJ2L pic.twitter.com/MQpJBRkgTK
Rivan was a Belgian Malinois who became a K-9 officer in 2019. Like many in law enforcement, he came from a family of fellow officers. His father was a police dog in Southwest Virginia and his mother was a K-9 officer with the United States Secret Service. His job with the Virginia Department of Corrections was to protect his fellow corrections officers, as well as inmates when necessary.
The details of Rivan's killing are, quite frankly, brutal. But I am going to share them anyway because I think we need to redefine to whom we apply the word 'animal.'
On Tuesday, April 2, three inmates affiliated with the MS-13 gang who are housed at Sussex I State Prison viciously attacked another inmate within one of the facility’s housing units. A fourth inmate appeared to be supervising the brutal assault.
Corrections Officer Kharmishia Phillip Fields and her assigned K-9 Rivan were on duty and working in the area at the time of the attack. Officer Phillip Fields and Rivan responded to stop the attack, protect the inmates, and restore order. Rivan was violently and repeatedly stabbed and kicked by the inmates and later tragically died at the facility while VADOC staff attempted lifesaving measures. Officer Phillip Fields, a trained K-9 handler and 4-year veteran of the Department, sustained no serious injuries due to her training and Rivan’s courageous actions. Order was restored by Officer Phillip Fields, responding Corrections Officers, and Rivan’s actions.
The human officer suffered no serious injuries. Thanks to Rivan. Even as he was being viciously beaten, kicked, and repeatedly stabbed, Rivan performed his duty, even though it cost him his life.
Rivan is not an animal. Rivan is a hero. Here are the ACTUAL animals:
The inmates involved in the malicious attack are from El Salvador and Guatemala and at least three are verified members of MS-13. The Department has confirmed that all four of the inmates were in the United States illegally at the time of their arrest and conviction. The inmates are incarcerated for several charges, including first degree homicide, attempted rape, kidnapping/abduction, malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, child pornography charges, grand larceny, and possession of a Schedule III Drug.
Homicide, rape, kidnapping, child pornography ... and Democrats pretend to be shocked and clutch their pearls when we refer to such people as animals.
I, for one, do not care anymore. I will call them what they are.
Both the Virginia DOC and Governor Glenn Youngkin have promised to punish Rivan's killers to the fullest extent of the law.
God bless Rivan, a heroic K-9 who was killed in the line of duty in Virginia.
— Governor Glenn Youngkin (@GovernorVA) April 3, 2024
These barbaric members of MS-13 will be held accountable. https://t.co/FC9mHwV2bs
Unfortunately, at least in Virginia, killing a K-9 officer is only a Class 5 felony, so the maximum punishment would be an additional 10 years in prison. Frankly, it's not enough. It's not nearly enough.
If you follow my @Grateful Calvin account on Twitter, you know that I have a special place in my heart for dogs. They are part of our families, they are angels sent to us without wings, and we don't deserve them. But we are eternally grateful for them.
And in Officer Rivan's case, he was even more than that. He was a police officer, regardless of his species. He deserved a better fate than to be brutalized by inhuman monsters. And those monsters deserve a far greater punishment.
Many on Twitter shared this sentiment. There were many calls for immediate deportation. Lacking that, life imprisonment or even capital punishment. I don't think that's going too far. Again, Rivan was a police officer. Virginia does not have the death penalty, so that is off the table, but a life sentence without the possibility of parole should not be.
(You don't want to know what MY preferred punishment would be for these MS-13 animals. If I shared that, unedited, I might not be writing for Twitchy much longer. But if you ever watched Game of Thrones, you might start to get an idea.)
But since I can't change the laws, instead, here are some of the more touching remembrances for Rivan.
#VirginiaStatePolice extends its sincere condolences to Officer Fields for the tragic loss of her dedicated partner, K9 Rivan. #RIP https://t.co/QioWgnXJu2
— VA State Police (@VSPPIO) April 3, 2024
Team Andrews stands in solidarity with @VADOC as we mourn the loss of K-9 Officer Rivan. A true hero of the VADOC, he gave his life protecting Corrections officers, staff, and inmates from the MS-13 gang. Our hearts are with his colleagues and loved ones during this difficult… https://t.co/hZ2u93C0sG
— Aliscia Andrews (@alisciaandrews) April 3, 2024
A heartbreaking reminder of the importance of K-9 units in correctional facilities. Rest in peace, K-9 Rivan. Your service to the Commonwealth will not be forgotten. https://t.co/q57peHAGy6
— Jake Petzold (@PetzoldVA9) April 3, 2024
Pray for Corrections Officer Kharmishia Phillip Fields. 🙏
— Janell Blizzard (@NellBlizzard) April 4, 2024
Rest peacefully, K-9 Rivan. May VA deliver swift justice to the horrible human beings who chose to behave like animals. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. 😢🐕 https://t.co/cdjhif5iNy
This breaks my heart….RIP Rivan. https://t.co/U3fBqJVwke
— libby (@barcsterberty) April 4, 2024
Our hearts go out to the @VADOC and K9 Rivan's handler, CO Kharmishia Phillip Fields. https://t.co/19mBA0aJTo
— Arkansas Department of Corrections (@ADCPIO) April 3, 2024
Rest in peace Hero 💙
— Free River Girl (@ChazDogs) April 4, 2024
And here's one final tweet that captures my thoughts a little better.
This brave K9 served #Virginia with honor. Illegal, criminal animals killed him. But, how I hope he bit them in the gonads before he died. 🥹 https://t.co/fNK6wPdEEA
— Betsy Golden (@BetsyGolden16) April 3, 2024
I hope he did far more damage than even that.
Rest in peace, Rivan. Your watch is ended, brave K-9 officer and hero. Brutally slain by worse than animals, but dutiful, loyal, and faithful to the very end.
As I said earlier, we did not deserve you, but we are grateful for you.
Cross that rainbow bridge and join all your fellow dogs in Heaven, goodest of good boys.
