Sadness Won't Overcome Hope

Why the police? What is it about law enforcement? I'm not sure there is another career that produces more diverse responses, more clichés, more venom, more honor than law enforcement.

Our Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) can be arrogant. I witnessed one tell a man that, "no, I can't explain this to you. You are going to go with (chaplains name) and I will talk to you in a moment.  Go with him."
By the way, this LEO was trying to keep someone from finding their child dead in the bedroom... it was this deputies 2nd dead person in a weeks time.

Our Law Enforcement Officers can be impatient. I witnessed one tell a lady, "would you please move along? I don't care that you just purchased 2 gallons of milk and you have to go another way home. Just go"
By the way, this LEO had just witnessed a van with a family hit by a dump truck and he was redirecting traffic.

Our Law Enforcement personnel can be hateful. Again, I witnessed one tell a man, "shut your mouth and go outside. I don't want to hear anything else come out of your mouth till you're outside. GO NOW!"
By the way, this LEO had just, earlier in the shift, rendered aid to a battered woman from the hands of her father.

I agree, they can be different and difficult. But they are so human.

I witnessed one go to the car while her colleagues were providing aid to an elderly woman who had fallen, and get a sticker for the scared toddler that had gone for help.

I witnessed one put his arms around a, now, widow who's husband had taken his own life and the poor girl was just devastated. He just stood there, somewhat awkwardly, and held her while she cried.

I witnessed one stand by his car and weep (literally weep) because the baby he had performed cpr on didn't make it. Wouldn't be in the news, wouldn't be on youtube, to be honest it may not be spoken of again.

They are human. They are fathers and mothers. They are sisters and brothers. They are sons and daughters. They are real people. If they are real, you ask, then why do they act the way they do sometimes. Why are they seemingly always on edge? Why, why, why?

3 years ago today is just one reason. A husband, a father, a brother, a son, an uncle, a friend, was killed simply because he was a law enforcement officer. Wasn't even their call but he and his partner were close by and heard the call for service from a citizen that needed protecting. At some point in their career, they all sort of become routine. People argue. People have drug issues. People can't control their vehicles. The human in the box speaks and they go. But then this happens. In a moments notice the world is turned upside down and they are under attack. Not verbally, not only in social media but they are physically under fire. A moments notice causes everything else to stop. And while they are fighting for their fallen brother's life, and notifying a wife that her husband is never coming home, and children, HIS CHILDREN, he won't be able to build fires or play ball or say good night or say I love you ever again on this earth, and telling a mom that her boy has given the ultimate sacrifice, and telling a father that Hammerhead is gone, and on and on and on... while they are fighting for justice, others are going about their lives. And the world keeps spinning and our life continues. It isn't fair. It isn't understandable. It isn't what anyone wanted but now its here and we have to deal with it.

And deal with it they do. Not only did the world go on but they continue to protect and serve. The awesome people in the box continue today to tell the awesome people in the vehicles with the lights and sirens about people in need and they go. Maybe a little more cautious, maybe a little more prepared, maybe even a little bit scared (though they would NEVER admit that) but they go. They answer the call. And they do it well.

So would you join our great community and honor our law enforcement humans? Would you offer respect instead of hostility, patience in the place of hurriedness, acknowledgement rather than indifference? Today, of all days, be proactive for our brothers and sisters in blue and shake a hand, buy a meal, offer a cold bottle of water, maybe even a universally understood eyes-locked nod in appreciation for those who fight the fight everyday to keep the wolves away from the sheep.

To the sheepdogs, we salute you. And to the sheepdog 156, for me and many others, we're not letting your sacrifice be in vain. We won't let it.

Pastor Dad