Eric Garner 's final words have become a rallying call for protesters across the country . In the days following a grand jury decision not to indict New York police Officer Daniel Pantaleo in Garner 's chokehold death , demonstrators in New York City and beyond took to the streets demanding justice , chanting `` I ca n't breathe '' -- a reference to Garner 's last utterance . A police officer and small business owner in Indiana is hoping to change the conversation around police-community relations . Jason Barthel , an officer with the Mishawaka Police Department and the owner of South Bend Uniform Company , is selling a T-shirt that reads `` Breathe Easy , Do n't Break the Law . '' The shirt is emblazoned with a graphic of a police officer 's badge . Barthel said the shirt is meant to bring people together and remind communities that police officers are there to serve and protect -- not to harm . `` When we use the slogan 'Breathe Easy ' we are referring to knowing the police are there for you ! The police are here to protect and serve , '' Barthel wrote on Facebook . `` 99.9 % of us have the greater good in our hearts each time we strap on our uniforms and duty belts . '' Not everyone agrees with his reasoning . Many have taken to his company 's Facebook page to criticize the shirt 's reference to Garner and the controversy surrounding his death . `` This shirt shows great disrespect to the family of Eric ( Garner ) , and all victims of police misconduct . Please reconsider its production , '' wrote one commenter . `` As a marketer you know using a reference to that will sell . It is poor taste , and inflammatory . How does this help in any way relations between police and community ? '' wrote another . Barthel maintains that the shirt is `` by no means is a slam on Eric Garner or his family '' and that `` we are one people , one nation regardless of race , religion , creed or gender . '' The shirt sells for $ 7.95 online , where a banner advertising the shirt reads `` Make a Statement . '' Barthel told CNN affiliate WSBT that he has already received over 100 orders and that phones have been ringing nonstop . Garner 's death was later ruled a homicide by the New York City medical examiner . U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced earlier this month that federal officials were moving ahead with a civil rights investigation . The city of Mishawaka is located in northern Indiana , just south of the Michigan border .
Indiana police officer wear T - shirts that read ` ` Go On , Do n't Break the Law '' Jason White says the shirts are meant to remind people that police are there to protect them . Critics are angry over apparent reference to Eric Garner 's last words , ` ` I ca n't " '' It ` ` shows great disrespect to ... victims of police misconduct , '' one critic writes .