The 10 year anniversary of Sean Bell’s murder at the hands of law enforcement is fast approaching, and to honor Bell’s life, his mother, Valerie penned a memoir entitled “Just 23: Thoughts From a Mother.” On Saturday (Oct. 29) Valerie explained the meaning behind the book’s title.
“I wrote the book ‘Just 23’ cause that’s the age he was killed,” she said. “It’s a book that’s telling you about my feelings.”
On the morning of what would’ve been his wedding, Sean Bell and friends were leaving a strip club in Queens when they were hit with 50 bullets by pain clothes officers. Bell was killed and the others seriously injured. The officers involved were charged with manslaughter, assault and reckless endangerment and later found not guilty.
Valerie read an excerpt from the book, and signed copies at the National Action Network Headquarters this weekend. At the event, Valerie also offered advice to law enforcement.
“You have to take time to think,” she said. “Cops need to know how humans are. They need to go out in the communities and know people.”