KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Some Kansas City, Mo., police officers are questioning the motive of those who hung ribbons around the city to celebrate what would have been the 27th birthday of a man killed by a Kansas City, Mo., police officer.
In December, Kansas City police officer Donald Hubbard shot and killed Kansas City firefighter Anthony Bruno during a fight between the two. Witnesses said, and an investigation later determined, that Hubbard was justified in shooting Bruno after Bruno allegedly punched a cab driver and then fought with Hubbard during arrest.
The Fraternal Order of Police claim on its website that the red ribbons with Bruno’s name on them were placed all around the city, and most notably in the neighborhood where Donald Hubbard lives, by members of the Kansas City, Mo., Fire Department.
Leaders at the fire department declined to comment on the matter and calls to the Firefighters’ Union were not returned late Monday afternoon.
FOX 4 met one woman who was cutting down as many of the ribbons as she could. She didn’t want to be identified, but she told FOX 4’s Shannon O’Brien that she thought it was a terrible thing to do.
“Only doing it around police buildings and around the officer’s home,” she said. “Bringing this to a level where you involve this person’s family. It’s just disgusting.”
Earlier, while firefighters and Bruno’s friends hung ribbons in Hubbard’s neighborhood, someone called the police.
“It’s a slap in the face,” said Brad Lemon, President of the Fraternal Order of Police. “They are creating a rift between the police and fire departments that don’t need to be there.”
FOX 4 asked Mayor Sly James if he would intervene in the dispute.
“I expect our two departments and everyone in them to be professional, to let the legal process take its course,” he said.
When asked if he thought it was appropriate the Mayor said: “I don’t make any comment on that I don’t know that it wasn’t appropriate. I know there were ribbons placed. I will wait to see what happens from this point on.”
Related: Lawsuit looms against officer who shot and killed firefighter
Related: Cell phone video shows final moments of confrontation