Several of us were huddled around the break room TV as live news crews tried to figure out what had occurred. The story unfolding ever so slowly and painfully was that a local police officer was down and had been ambushed in broad daylight in the neighboring community. While watching, I stood there stunned and absolutely heartsick.
A co-worker turned to me and said, “Hey, different suburb from where your husband and son work, so you should be all good!” Although he may have had good intentions by saying this, at that particular moment in time, all I could do was stare blankly in shock at his words and walk back to my office.
No, it’s not all good…not at all…I wanted to shake him and make him understand why it wasn’t but I know my efforts would have been futile. While I do think my misguided co-worker was trying to be encouraging, he simply has no clue what it means to be a part of this blue family.
My LEO works for an entirely different department, in an entirely different city in our metro area than the fallen officer. Yet, in the coming days, the motorcycle team my husband is assigned to will lead the funeral procession. My LEO will prepare by spending extra time shining his bike and his boots. He will thoughtfully place a black ribbon over his badge and he will tie one around the pole where the American flag hangs on our home. His team will work to shut down traffic along the procession route and they will guide the hearse to this officer’s final resting place. They may have never met this man, but to them it is a great honor and their duty to be a part of this day.
Hundreds of law enforcement vehicles will line the procession route from cities and towns all over our state. Thousands in full uniform will attend the memorial service. Each and every one of them knows that just because this horrific incident did not occur in their department, it does not for one second mean that it’s “all good.”
While mere words can not express how thankful I am to have my LEO right beside me, my heart aches for this widow I have never met and her sons who will grow up without their father. I won’t pretend to know what they are going through or how they are feeling and I wouldn’t dare try. I just know the fear of her situation becoming our reality lives within the hearts of LEOW’s across our nation. As sisters bound by this invisible bond we will weep for her…because this is just not in any way shape or form, “all good” simply because we don't know her.
All too soon, and once again, I will feel overwhelmed when I stand on the highway offering my prayers for this family and my respect for the fallen officer as the procession moves by. I will feel nothing but pride as my LEO’s team rumbles by in formation. As he takes his place in a long line of emergency vehicles for the first time as a fully sworn officer, I have no doubt that tears will be shed as my son’s patrol car passes by. And…as always…I will feel humbled and extremely privileged to be a small part of such an amazing blue family.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9
l Sandee l