Police sergeant releases song about George Floyd: 'I'm so sorry that's how we know your name'
The Metro Nashville Police Department in Tennessee released a song Thursday that one of its own officers wrote in the wake of George Floyd's death.
Henry Particelli, a veteran sergeant with MNPD, wrote and performed the ballad "Your Name," which he said he believes represents the feelings of his law enforcement colleagues as well as families throughout America.
Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, died on May 25 in Minneapolis after a white police officer kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes. The horrifying video of Floyd's death spread quickly on social media, sparking protests around the country and calls for justice. Former officer Derek Chauvin was charged with second-degree murder in Floyd's death.
Floyd, who repeatedly said he couldn't breathe while Chauvin restricted his airway, is not the only example of this. A USA TODAY investigation found that the plea is uttered by dozens in fatal police holds across the country.
The song was released on the one-month anniversary of Floyd's death. Since his death, the Minneapolis City Council approved a ban on police chokeholds and neck restraints as part of an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, which launched a civil rights investigation after Floyd's death.
On Thursday, also in response to Floyd's death, the House passed a sweeping police reform package that would end certain legal protections for officers accused of misconduct and ban chokeholds.
The song was recorded at Nashville’s Sound Emporium, a destination for some of music's biggest stars for almost 50 years. Famed producer “Cowboy" Jack Clement built the studio in 1969. Over the years, Johnny Cash, Taylor Swift, Jason Isbell and Alabama Shakes have recorded there among countless others.
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The studio’s Juanita Copeland donated the studio time and helped oversee the video's overall production. The chief audio engineer and producer was Mike Stankiewicz, and Tim Sutherland and Ron Peterson produced the song's video.
In the video, Particelli is seen sitting in a dimly lit room and playing guitar.
“I cry for you today but I don’t know you / I wish that you were here so I could show you,” he sings. “There’s not a soul on Earth that thinks this is fair."
He continues, “I’m sure you never wanted this kind of fame / I’m so sorry that’s how we know your name”
People holding signs also appear in the video and consist of mostly MNPD officers, a department spokesman said. Some of the signs read: "United we stand, Divided we fall," "Respect" and "We rise by lifting others."
The recording isn't Particelli's first. Last year he recorded a song he wrote, "The Good Guys," which is about badges, bravery and helping the public.
Purchasing a download of "The Good Guys" for $2 or more benefits the Good Guys Foundation general fund, which will helps "fallen Officer’s families (and assists) living Law Enforcement Officers with special needs, and other initiatives," according to its website.
It is unclear whether "Your Name" will benefit any organization.
Contributing: Jenny Berg and Sara Moniuszko, USA TODAY
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: George Floyd: Nashville police sergeant releases song about death
