The GoFundMe Uproar: Why Some Cops Feel They’re Being Targeted

Sometimes stories just… spiral. This one did, fast. After a tragic encounter that ended with an officer killed and a young man fatally shot, the internet found its sides — and not everyone landed where you might expect.

What Sparked the Outrage?

Rodney Hinton Jr., a father from Ohio, is facing charges of **aggravated murder**. Police say he drove straight into Deputy Larry Henderson, who had been helping with traffic during a graduation event in Cincinnati. The hit was described as intentional.

This happened just a day after Hinton’s son, Ryan, was **shot and killed by police** during a pursuit involving a stolen vehicle. Officers say Ryan was armed and had tried to hide behind a dumpster. When he came out, they fired.

Sudden Support — and a Backlash

After the arrest, some people rallied behind Hinton Jr. Online fundraisers popped up quickly. One GoFundMe page claimed to raise funds for legal help and funeral expenses. Another focused on Ryan Hinton’s memory and justice. Depending on who you ask, the numbers raised are fuzzy — one page said $5,000, while GoFundMe insisted it was under $600.

Meanwhile, **law enforcement advocates** weren’t having it. Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith, with the National Police Association, voiced deep concern. She said this kind of support fuels a dangerous message — one that she believes makes officers even more vulnerable. “It’s already tough out there,” she said. “This just adds pressure. And maybe even danger.”

Conflicting Views and Raw Emotions

There’s a legal right to defense, of course. But some social media posts went beyond that — suggesting Rodney Hinton was innocent, or that the entire police narrative was suspect. Brantner Smith called these claims “false” and added that they feed an unhealthy distrust in law enforcement.

It’s not the only voice. Ohio