REFLECTIONS ON SACRIFICE

This Noble Calling

I remember where I was when I heard President Kennedy had been shot. Nearly two decades later, I know where I was when President Reagan was shot. I remember what I was doing when the space shuttle Challenger exploded. And I remember where I was when I received the phone call that two Westerville Police Officers had been shot and killed –

it was one of the darkest days of my 38 years in law enforcement.

Even as I write this letter to the editor the evening news is reporting that five Houston Police Officers have been shot. When a member of the law enforcement community is injured, or worse killed, in the line of duty, it is an affront to our collective humanity and a challenge upon our democracy.

The men and women that represent this noble profession are not a part of the nobility. They are the citizen Guardians that have chosen an honorable calling to uphold our Constitution, our laws and protect our collective freedoms so that we may all pursue life, liberty and happiness. But these freedoms come with a daily cost. They have been purchased in the blood and sacrifice of our forefathers, whose names upon the Declaration of Independence was the same as signing a death warrant. The sacrifices of a new generation continue to pay the price for the freedoms we enjoy even still today.

This week we will mark the anniversary of that fateful event that cost Officers Joering and Morelli the ultimate sacrifice. Unfortunately we are reminded once again that in protecting freedom there are two rules. Rule number one is that some will lose their life in service as the guardians of freedom, and rule number two is that you cannot change rule number one.

There is no closure when a loved one dies, only a change and a hope that you may return to some level of normalcy. But the truth be told is that the best you can hope for is a manageable new normal. I know that every man and woman in this profession was impacted that day. A few days after the shooting a young recruit from our Office resigned only a few days into his academy training. I understood then and I know now when tragedy strikes close to home you see the consequences up close and personal.

Delaware Bible Church, of which I have been a member for nearly four decades, has chosen this week to honor their police department in memoriam of the Westerville Police Department’s loss. I know the Guardians of this profession. I have met them across this great state and nation. They do not serve to be recognized. But they are always humbled by the show of support and moved when genuine compassion and empathy is bestowed upon them.

May God continue to bless the citizens that answer this noble call and may we all extend a hand of comfort and compassion to those who sacrifice for our collective betterment.