As a doctor rounding in the hospital, I see a lot of sick patients. And when things go south, and people’s lives are hanging by a thread, the first staff to react are the nurses. Especially in the intensive care unit, at a moment’s notice, the nurses will be doing CPR, giving lifesaving medicines and comforting family members. These ICU nurses just want to help others, and that is exactly what Alex Pretti was doing when he was needlessly killed by federal agents.

I did not know Alex Pretti, but having worked alongside countless nurses in and out of the ICU, I can say he must have been compassionate, selfless and warm. These are the characteristics that draw someone into such a difficult profession – one in which, when life-and-death situations arise every day, you need to face them with competence and sincerity.

As a fellow health care professional, it makes me indescribably mad that he was killed while following his instincts to protect someone. And not only that, but........

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