Wins and Losses

Today was a rough day at work...and life.  The first official word that a "routine disturbance" call did not go well.  A report of a "minimum" of three officers down with one still inside did set well with me at 6:18 this Sunday morning.  A rescue team was being formed.  A New Year's Eve morning.  Please no!

A neighboring jurisdiction yes, but that doesn't matter.  We all want to help in any way, shape or form, no matter what, when that information is received.  Messages continued to come in that the media is not privy to.  And thank god for that.  That is another matter for another day. 

As the messages came in, I could read between the lines.  I knew the official word would not be what I was hoping for.  Knowing folks who work with that agency in both sworn and civilian roles, I pray for both equally.  For those in uniform, I pray they are safe and sound.  For those on the "other side" I pray those on-duty during the incident can endure what they will experience over the coming days and beyond as I know this experience first-hand. 

Then the word came.  They are organizing as "escort" from a hospital to the "Sheriff's Office."  That crushed me as this brought back those feelings from that past personal experience.  It reminds you that life is precious and not guaranteed.  It reminds you good must Win over evil.

Wins and Losses-

I am not talking in the literal sense of the word - Win.  Today was a day when the "good guys" Won.  A threat to the community was eliminated forever. That person made choices that none of us will ever understand.  Enough said on that.     

I am talking in the literal sense of the word - Loss.  Today was a day that a community in America suffered a great loss.  The Loss of someone who chose to serve the greater good to the benefit of that community.  The void left behind for those who continue to serve will never be filled.  That is an unfortunate consequence and one that must not be forgotten.      

16 Years

16 years.  Let's think about that.  16 years.  It seems like just another number.  Or is it?  

If you look at it as a time period from the birth of your child, 16 years goes quickly.  All too quickly.  You are able to witness the growth of a human in its truest form.  You help them learn, grow and become independent.  You see them in their moments of sheer joy and laughter and you see them in their most sad moments.  You are their protector and you hope you have raised them well.  You now take a supportive backseat and watch how they react when life slaps them in the face.  Sometimes that slap is gentle, other times, not so.  You're hope is you have done your job well.  

Let's look at 16 years from a different angle.  16 years of a career in law enforcement.  A career that is extremely challenging and a career that can be very rewarding.  Much like birth itself, the start is rough.  This is a new world that requires many hours of training before you are even allowed to "hit the street."  The training and the on the job experiences further shape you as person and a professional.  Your protector is still there however, this role has now been taken on by many.    

After 16 years, much has been accomplished.  Whether in childhood or career, we believe there is much more to come. As happens all too often though, much more to come is not always the reality.  This is a sad reality that I am more than happy to never experience again.    

I'm talking the same amount of years, 16.  Each come with their unique difficulties just the same.  Most times those difficulties are overcome.  When they are not, often the hurt is real and goes deep.  This is yet another thing I could live without for the rest of my life.  

This has been a rough few days and this road is just beginning to be traveled.  Travel it we will and it is a journey that, like many others, will never be erased from my memory.

Tom-23, you will be missed.  

     

Help Me To Understand

I'll never fully understand life.  I'll never fully understand people.  This is why I find myself saying the words.....help me to understand.....more and more the older I get.  Yesterday, an outstanding group of professionals I have the honor and privilege to work alongside lost one of our own.  Yesterday, a community lost a man who took the oath to serve and protect them.  Serve and protect them he did.  He did so with that big smile and often with a very subtle mischievous look on his face.  That's what I'll remember.

Here's what I do understand.  We are a family and we will carry on.  We will do so in honor of those we have lost during the course of our time together in this profession.  We will continue to answer the call to duty for the community we serve, and more importantly, for each other.  We have to.  If not us, then who?

Jason will be greatly missed and I know there will be much that may never be understood.  I'm O.K. with that, for I know and understand much of his time on earth was spent in the service of others.  Can't beat that.

Peace be with you, Jason.