Never again must the blood of law enforcement officials be spilled upon our streets.
Never again must police officers' widows, widowers, and children be left without the most important person in their lives.
Never again must we allow our safety, our security, our protectors, our freedom, and our nation to be held hostage by a madman.
Never again, America. Never again.
Slain in the line of duty on Sunday, November 29 are: Lakewood WA Police Sgt. Mark Renninger, age 39; and Lakewood WA police officers Tina Griswold, age 40; Ronald Owens age 37; and Greg Richards, age 42.
These servants gave their lives doing what they loved, ambushed by a piece of trash with no regard for life. There are (as of January 2009) 18,274 names on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. Too many will be added this year. Too many will be added next year. And with no end in sight of the blatant disregard some have for our men and women in blue, this memorial will continue to grow. I want it stopped. I want it stopped now. Please take a moment to visit the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund here. I have been a member and contributor of this fine nonprofit for over a decade, and they do so much more than just engrave names on a memorial. A museum is in the final planning stages, statistics are compiled and published, and on and on. This worthy organization is bringing attention nationwide to fatalities of law enforcement personnel and their survivors. Take the opportunity also to follow their excellent blog at http://nleomf.blogspot.com/ . I think you will be impressed.
The Concerns of Police Survivors at this site is also worth considering if one is wondering what they can do to help families who have lost their law enforcement officer. This is also a non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping not only the families of fallen officers, but also the agencies who have lost a valued member.
The price our law enforcement personnel pay is too high for any of us to demand. They patrol on foot, on motorcycle, on horse, in vehicles. They leave their families, never knowing if that may be the last time they see them. They give their all so that we may be secure, while they put themselves in harms' way every day and every night. Some may die by the hands of others, while, in the most tragic scenario imaginable, others may die by their own hand. They give of themselves. They also take. This poem can explain better than I just what they take in return....
A Cop on the Take
First he takes ... the oath. Now look at what else he takes:
He takes ... it in stride when people call him pig.
He takes ... his lousy pay check realizing he'll never be rich.
He takes ... a second job sometimes to make ends meet and support his family.
He takes ... time to stop and talk to children.
He takes ... your verbal abuse while giving you a ticket you really deserved.
He takes ... on creeps you would be afraid to even look at.
He takes ... time away from his family to keep you safe.
He takes ... your injured child to the hospital.
He takes ... the graveyard shift without complaint because it's his turn.
He takes ... his life into his hands daily.
He takes ... you home when your car breaks down.
He takes ... time to explain why both your headlights have to work.
He takes ... the job no one else wants -- telling you a loved one has died.
He takes ... criminals to jail.
He takes ... in sights that would make you cry.
Sometimes he cries too, but he takes it anyway because someone has to.
He takes ... memories to bed each night that you couldn't bear, or even endure for one day.
He takes ... time to explain to his family why he can't make the ball game his child is in and why he has to work on the holiday when other parents are off.
Sometimes ... he takes a bullet.
And yes, occasionally ... he may take a free cup of coffee.
If he is lucky ... he takes retirement.
Then one day he pays for all he has taken ...and hopefully, God takes him.
Written by Texas Police Officer Kendricks as a tribute to his late brother, Police Officer Rodney Kendricks, who died from injuries suffered in an on-duty auto accident in Lubbock,Texas - July 2001.
Please pray for our officers, so that never again tears will fall upon a nation that has just lost one of its finest.
3 comments:
Nicely done, Sugar.
This was certainly a terrible tragedy, and I would so hope that you could get your desire. As I write this, I am listening to the news, and I hear the shooter was shot and killed.
I have a great deal of respect for all the fine officers who face the world's crap every day, and do so professionally.
Have you ever attended the Police Officer Memorial in Victoria? It is always a very moving event, and everyone should plan to attend next time, if for no other reason than to tell all of the assembled officers, "Thank You!" for serving and protecting.
Death is not good enough for this scum. I have read that they have several people in custody for aiding and abetting, and I hope if found guilty, they receive the harshest punishment possible.
I have not attended the memorial in Victoria yet. I certainly shall when I can. I do want to go back to Washington D.C. to see the memorial, and the completion of the museum in 2013. It is a project that is close to my heart.
I supported Gov. Huckabee in his 2008 presidential bid. As far as I am concerned, he has blood on his hands now.
What a wonderful piece of writing that you have compiled, Sugar. Thank you for your care and compassion. You have spoken for many of us who appreciate the people who serve and protect. There are many unsung heroes who are underappreciated and underpaid.
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