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Bellevue Police Force Resources Stretched During Bailey Funeral

Bellevue Police resources were stretched on Tuesday, June 5th with one of the largest funerals this city has ever seen. Specialist William Bailey, a dedicated soldier and a volunteer firefighter was killed by a roadside IED in IRAQ and the immense outpouring of support from citizens miles away required several roadways to be shut down to accommodate everyone. Chief Stacey said that department resources were stretched even farther during the event, when a group of Kansas protestors arrived to protest the funeral. He added, "This, as we all know is their right as a citizen of this fine country. They went a little too far when the mother of a 10 year-old child allowed her child to desecrate the flag of the United States next to two Bellevue Police Officers." Desecration of the flag is against the law in Nebraska.

The mother, Shirley Phelps-Roper, was arrested and taken to jail. Phelps-Roper is a member of the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas. The group is known for protesting at the funerals of U.S. soldiers and for its belief that the deaths of soldiers is God’s retribution for a nation that harbors gays and lesbians. She is charged with flag mutilation, disturbing the peace and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. She was booked and released on bail.

Photo: Shirley Phelps Roper