Despite being stabbed and shot twice in the violent, crime-ridden area of Hartford, Connecticut, our hero, police officer Robert Lawlor was still protecting the public and enforcing the law in that same area the night of May 7, 2005.  Now because of another incident in that neighborhood, Robert has lost his job and is facing twenty years in prison just because he was trying to protect the community. Robert, his wife and his six daughters need your support to defend Robert from unfair and outrageous charges---- Let me tell you about these charges!
While on patrol with his partner, Robert saw a black Toyota Maxima in a parking lot ---- they recognized the car as one involved in a drive-by shooting and murder. A man by the name of Jashon Bryant stood outside the passenger door operating the slide mechanism of a semi-automatic pistol. The two officers walked across the street to investigate, both prominently showing their police badges. Then another man, Brandon Henry, exited a convenience store and got into the drivers side of the vehicle. The man with the gun, Jashon Bryant opened the passenger door and got in too. Robert stood in front of the car, weapon drawn, and shouted - - - POLICE OFFICERS! CUT THE IGNITION, AND PUT YOUR HANDS ON THE DASHBOARD. The two men initially complied - - - they shut off the engine and put their hands on the dashboard. They started talking rapidly and then pulled their hands away from the dash- - - A signal for trouble recognized by Robert - - - Robert immediately told his partner to call for backup because he thought that Bryant was trying to hide the gun he was holding moments earlier. Robert walked toward the passenger side while his partner stood on the left front of the car facing the driver. At the same time, the passenger reached down for the floor while the driver restarted the car, accelerating it forward.
Fearing that his partner was about to be run over by the onrushing car and that the passenger was about to raise his gun and shoot him, Robert jumped back from the car and fired five times. He hit the passenger twice in the head fatally wounding him. A bullet hit the driver in the chest - - - yet he still managed to escape by driving the car out of the parking lot over curbs and grass, almost hitting Robert’s partner. In a previous incident with police, the driver, Brandon Henry, had fled from a scene of a crime. A search of his home turned up a handgun, which forensic evidence had shown the gun to be used in a drive-by shooting.
After a half hour chase- - - the officers found no gun on the driver. But a bag of cocaine was stashed under the front seat of the vehicle. The driver later admitted that he fled from the two police officers because of the illegal drugs and did not want to return to jail.
The man in the passenger seat of the car, Jashon Bryant, was also linked to an earlier crime. He was positively identified as the shooter of a business owner during a robbery. His gun was linked to five other shootings and carjackings!
For his brave actions, instead of a medal, Robert is charged with first degree manslaughter and assault - - - for doing his job. These two men were believed to be dangerous by Robert and his partner and it’s EASY to understand why. The two officers felt threatened AND they wanted to keep the public safe. Robert was taking the necessary actions he was trained for and had to take to stop these two men from committing other crimes. Robert recognized the car as being wanted by police in a drive-by shooting, and he knew at least one of the two occupants of the car had a gun. Robert acted reasonably, very responsibly in this situation, putting the public’s safety first. The Hartford Police Department investigation said that shooting was justified to protect Robert and his partner from suspects who refused to obey police orders. The department said Robert felt he and his partner were in immediate danger. Robert is charged with these crimes even though he followed all police procedures. LELDF is trying to help Robert Lawlor - - - But, we cannot do it alone. Robert and his family need your support. LELDF is a non-profit organization founded support and defend police officers from unfair charges for actions taken in the line of duty - - - Robert Lawlor is facing charges for enforcing the law! We are assisting Robert with legal fees as well as the expenses of experts in ballistics, computer regeneration of the crime scene and proper-use-of-deadly-force. This expert evidence is crucial to demonstrate that Robert’s actions were justified. Robert’s attorney has reason to believe there was improper influence exerted by a prosecutor on the Grand Jury to indict Robert in the first place. This was key evidence that may have demonstrated to the grad jury why Robert should not be charged. It could also be evidence of malfeasance by the prosecutor. Yet Robert and his lawyer still have not been allowed to see it. The good news is that we’ve just learned that the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled in Robert’s favor and halted all proceeding pending Robert’s examination of the Grand Jury proceedings. These are serious charges against a hero police officer who placed his life on the line everyday to protect his fellow Americans. We need to show Robert and his family that they are not alone. They need our support to get through this hard time - - - a difficult time that they do not deserve.
A donation of any amount that you give will be greatly appreciated. You will make a huge difference in the lives of Robert, his wife, and six daughters. These girls are proud of his dad and see him as a hero and so should we. LELDF exists to help officers like Robert and can only do its mission through the generosity of Americans like you who appreciate the dangerous job our police officers face every day. LELDF is asking you to show your support by making a gift of $25, $50, $100 or any amount that you can afford. A generous gift of any amount is tax-deductible. Many thanks you for your support. Sincerely,
David H. Martin
Chairman | 
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