Honoring Our Fallen Hero’s

As we get ready to celebrate Mothers Day, I am drawn to another very important day that several hundred thousand people will observe.  This will be a day of mourning, a day we honor those that sacrificed them selves to protect others.

 

Each year Police Officers loose their life in the Line of Duty and each year we honor them on May 15^th which has been designated as National Peace Officers Memorial Day.  The week that the 15^th falls in has been designated as Police Week and there are many events are scheduled in Washington DC , and more often than not that week starts on Mothers Day.

 

While some say that it should be changed, I have spoken with the mother of a Fallen Hero and she has said that she would not have it any other way.  Yes it is painful for her, but she remembers not only her loving son, but the way in which he lived his life.

 

My last post touched on four Fallen Hero’s from Oakland, California who were going to be laid to rest after being killed in the line of duty.  I cried during the typing of that post and I will cry before I am done typing this one.

Whenever I hear of a brother or sister killed while serving the public I think of Romans 13:1-4 which says “¹ Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. (the Lord has appoint those to act as guardians over us)
² So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. (the Lord will judge all of us! Some will receive eternal damnation others will walk a beat on Heavens street.)
³ For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do good and you will have its approval. (We {Peace Officers} do not want you to fear us or tell your kids we are the boogie man.)
⁴ For government is God’s servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.” (Authority has been placed over us by God!)

This year there are 134 mothers will not have the chance to ever hold their child again.  Officer Nicola Cotton was 8 weeks pregnant when she was shot 15 times by a rape suspect that she was attempting to arrest.  She is but one of the 12 female officers that lost there life during 2008.  A total of 36 states, the Virgin Islands and the Federal Government all suffered losses in 2008.  Jesus tells us in John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

I do not know the relationship that any of these men and woman have with our Father, but I do ask that you remember their families in your prayers, lift them up and ask the Lord to show Himself to them and to reveal his plan to them.

Detective James Merry Walker Miami Police Department, FL EOW: Tuesday, January 8, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Deputy Sheriff Anthony (Sean) Pursifull Bell County Sheriff’s Department, KY EOW: Thursday, January 10, 2008 Cause of Death: Vehicular assault

 

Deputy Constable David Joubert Sr. Harris County Constable’s Office – Precinct 7, TX EOW: Sunday, January 13, 2008 Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident

 

Police Officer Eric Cecil Barker Sr. DeKalb County Police Department, GA EOW: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Police Officer Ricky L. Bryant Jr. DeKalb County Police Department, GA EOW: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Detective Jarrod Brent Shivers Chesapeake Police Department, VA EOW: Thursday, January 17, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Senior Border Patrol Agent Luis Alberto Aguilar United States Department of Homeland Secur…, US EOW: Saturday, January 19, 2008 Cause of Death: Vehicular assault

 

Police Officer Matthew Barret Thebeau Corpus Christi Police Department, TX EOW: Sunday, January 20, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Police Officer Akeem Basil (Teddy) Newton Virgin Islands Police Department, VI EOW: Sunday, January 20, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Detective Christopher Alexander Ridley Mount Vernon Police Department, NY EOW: Friday, January 25, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire (Accidental)

 

Trooper Daniel Roy Barrett Indiana State Police, IN EOW: Sunday, January 27, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Police Officer Nicola Diane Cotton New Orleans Police Department, LA EOW: Monday, January 28, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Lance Corporal James Darryl Haynes South Carolina Highway Patrol, SC EOW: Friday, February 1, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Sergeant Richard C. LeBow Arkansas State Police, AR EOW: Monday, February 4, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Deputy Sheriff Dustin Shawn Duncan Latimer County Sheriff’s Office, OK EOW: Monday, February 4, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Police Officer Thomas Frederick (Tom) Ballman Kirkwood Police Department, MO EOW: Thursday, February 7, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Sergeant William King Biggs Jr. Kirkwood Police Department, MO EOW: Thursday, February 7, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Police Officer Randal D. (Randy) Simmons Los Angeles Police Department, CA EOW: Thursday, February 7, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Corporal Harry Lane Thielepape Jr. Harris County Constable’s Office – Precinct 6, TX EOW: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Senior Corporal Victor Antonio Lozada Sr. Dallas Police Department, TX EOW: Friday, February 22, 2008 Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident

 

Police Officer Mark A. Beck Baton Rouge City Police Department, LA EOW: Monday, February 25, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Trooper Kara M. Kelly-Borgognone Nevada Highway Patrol, NV EOW: Thursday, February 28, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Police Officer Derek Wayne Owens Cleveland Police Department, OH EOW: Saturday, March 1, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Captain Keith Paul Chiasson Thibodaux Police Department, LA EOW: Monday, March 10, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Police Officer James Dean Fezatte Millbrook Police Department, AL EOW: Saturday, March 29, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Deputy Sheriff Paul William Derouen Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, CA EOW: Saturday, March 29, 2008 Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle

 

Border Patrol Agent Jarod C. Dittman United States Department of Homeland Secur…, US EOW: Sunday, March 30, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Constable Joe E. Howard Sr. Harlan County Constable’s Office, KY EOW: Tuesday, April 1, 2008 Cause of Death: Heart attack

 

Correction Officer Kenneth Michael Duncan New York City Department of Correction, NY EOW: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Police Officer Ralph McMoran North Little Rock Police Department, AR EOW: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 Cause of Death: Heart attack

 

Trooper James Scott Burns Texas Department of Public Safety – Texas …, TX EOW: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Deputy Sheriff Robert Armand Griffin Decatur County Sheriff’s Office, GA EOW: Thursday, May 1, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Senior Investigator Laura Jean Cleaves Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s O…, CA EOW: Thursday, May 1, 2008 Cause of Death: Vehicular assault

 

Deputy Sheriff William Howell Jr. Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office, SC EOW: Saturday, May 3, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Sergeant Stephen Liczbinski Philadelphia Police Department, PA EOW: Saturday, May 3, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Special Agent Aaron Garcia Union Pacific Railroad Police Department, RR EOW: Wednesday, May 7, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Deputy Sheriff James Edward Throne Kern County Sheriff’s Department, CA EOW: Friday, May 23, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Deputy Sheriff Michael Sean Thomas Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, GA EOW: Sunday, May 25, 2008 Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident

 

Sergeant Leslie Eugene (Les) Wilmott Kiefer Police Department, OK EOW: Thursday, May 29, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Lieutenant Michael C. Avilucea New Mexico State Police, NM EOW: Friday, May 30, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Police Officer Erik David Hite Tucson Police Department, AZ EOW: Monday, June 2, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Police Officer Everett William Dennis Carthage Police Department, TX EOW: Tuesday, June 3, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Deputy Sheriff Anthony Shane Tate Grundy County Sheriff’s Department, TN EOW: Thursday, June 5, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Police Officer Todd Allen Bahr Fredericksburg Police Department, VA EOW: Friday, June 6, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Sergeant Barbara Leggett Shumate Texas Department of Criminal Justice, TX EOW: Friday, June 13, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Deputy Sheriff Steven Christopher Boehm Onslow County Sheriff’s Department, NC EOW: Saturday, June 14, 2008 Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle

 

Deputy Sheriff Jose Antonio (Tony) Diaz Yolo County Sheriff’s Department, CA EOW: Sunday, June 15, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Trooper David Shawn Blanton Jr. North Carolina Highway Patrol, NC EOW: Tuesday, June 17, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Correctional Officer Jose Rivera United States Department of Justice – Fede…, US EOW: Friday, June 20, 2008 Cause of Death: Stabbed

 

Police Officer Nicholas Karl Heine Pueblo Police Department, CO EOW: Saturday, June 21, 2008 Cause of Death: Heart attack

 

Sergeant Richard Scott Findley Prince George’s County Police Department, MD EOW: Friday, June 27, 2008 Cause of Death: Vehicular assault

 

Police Officer Gary Allen Gryder Houston Police Department, TX EOW: Sunday, June 29, 2008 Cause of Death: Vehicular assault

 

Police Officer Richard M. Francis Chicago Police Department, IL EOW: Wednesday, July 2, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Police Officer Kenneth (Greg) Surles Pell City Police Department, AL EOW: Friday, July 4, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Agent Osvaldo Pérez-León Puerto Rico Police Department, PR EOW: Tuesday, July 8, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Police Officer Joshua T. Miktarian Twinsburg Police Department, OH EOW: Sunday, July 13, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Police Officer Andrew Allen Widman Fort Myers Police Department, FL EOW: Friday, July 18, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Deputy Sheriff Anthony E. Forgione Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, FL EOW: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Police Officer Aldo A. Rossi Jr. Port Dickinson Police Department, NY EOW: Sunday, July 27, 2008 Cause of Death: Vehicular assault

 

Deputy Sheriff Juan A. Escalante Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, CA EOW: Saturday, August 2, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Trooper Shawn W. Snow New York State Police, NY EOW: Sunday, August 3, 2008 Cause of Death: Electrocuted

 

Detective Sandra Joyce Bullock Bushnell Police Department, FL EOW: Tuesday, August 5, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Deputy Sheriff Dennis Carl Compton Colleton County Sheriff’s Office, SC EOW: Wednesday, August 6, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Officer Monte Ruby CoxHealth Department of Public Safety, MO EOW: Wednesday, August 6, 2008 Cause of Death: Assault

 

Agent Orlando Gonzalez-Ortiz Puerto Rico Police Department, PR EOW: Thursday, August 7, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire (Accidental)

 

Detective Michael Smith Phillips Virginia Beach Police Department, VA EOW: Thursday, August 7, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Lieutenant Michael Patrick Howe Baltimore County Police Department, MD EOW: Monday, August 11, 2008 Cause of Death: Duty related illness

 

Deputy Probation Officer Irene Beatrice Rios Imperial County Probation Department, CA EOW: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Lieutenant Robert James Curry Gulfport Police Department, MS EOW: Thursday, August 14, 2008 Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident

 

Sergeant Nelson Kai Ng Ellensburg Police Department, WA EOW: Friday, August 15, 2008 Cause of Death: Duty related illness

 

Deputy Sheriff Martha Ann Woods-Shareef Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Department, LA EOW: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 Cause of Death: Vehicular assault

 

Ordinance Officer Kathy Ann Cox Gordon County Sheriff’s Office, GA EOW: Thursday, August 21, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Police Officer Thomas Emil Raji Perth Amboy Police Department, NJ EOW: Friday, August 22, 2008 Cause of Death: Vehicular assault

 

Police Officer Melvin Eugene Dyer Duxbury Police Department, MA EOW: Monday, August 25, 2008 Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle

 

Police Officer Timothy Allen Haley Columbus Division of Police, OH EOW: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 Cause of Death: Duty related illness

 

Trooper Evan Frederick Schneider Montana Highway Patrol, MT EOW: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Special Agent Thomas Joseph Byrne United States Department of Justice – Drug…, US EOW: Saturday, August 30, 2008 Cause of Death: Assault

 

Deputy Sheriff Anne Marie Jackson Skagit County Sheriff’s Office, WA EOW: Tuesday, September 2, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Officer Christopher Kane Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, FL EOW: Thursday, September 4, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Police Officer Isabel Nazario Philadelphia Police Department, PA EOW: Friday, September 5, 2008 Cause of Death: Vehicular assault

 

Police Officer Kenneth A. Santucci Belleville Police Department, NJ EOW: Saturday, September 6, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Deputy Sheriff Marty Michael Martin Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, OH EOW: Saturday, September 6, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Sergeant Paul Avery Starzyk Martinez Police Department, CA EOW: Saturday, September 6, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Trooper Andrew James Stocks North Carolina Highway Patrol, NC EOW: Tuesday, September 9, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Sergeant Dario Scott Aponte New Haven Police Department, CT EOW: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Police Officer Grant Anthony Jansen St. Charles Police Department, MO EOW: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Police Officer III Spree Desha Los Angeles Police Department, CA EOW: Friday, September 12, 2008 Cause of Death: Train accident

 

Sergeant Michael Christopher Weigand Jr. Latimore Township Police Department, PA EOW: Sunday, September 14, 2008 Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident

 

Detective Tommy L. Keen Harris County Sheriff’s Department, TX EOW: Monday, September 15, 2008 Cause of Death: Accidental

 

Deputy Sheriff Adam William Klutz Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, NC EOW: Friday, September 19, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Officer Kristine Marie Fairbanks United States Department of Agriculture – …, US EOW: Saturday, September 20, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Sergeant Patrick McDonald Philadelphia Police Department, PA EOW: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Staff Sergeant Steven Raul Medeiros Kennesaw State University Department of Pu…, GA EOW: Friday, September 26, 2008 Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident

 

Police Officer Nathaniel Taylor Jr. Chicago Police Department, IL EOW: Sunday, September 28, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Trooper First Class Mickey Charles Lippy Maryland State Police, MD EOW: Sunday, September 28, 2008 Cause of Death: Aircraft accident

 

Sergeant Robert Craig Douglas Oklahoma City Police Department, OK EOW: Sunday, September 28, 2008 Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident

 

Correctional Officer Douglas Eugene Falconer Arizona Department of Corrections, AZ EOW: Wednesday, October 1, 2008 Cause of Death: Heart attack

 

Correctional Officer Rodney Kelley Alabama Department of Corrections, AL EOW: Friday, October 3, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Police Officer Bradley Alan Moody Richmond Police Department, CA EOW: Tuesday, October 7, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Deputy Sheriff David Whitfield Gilstrap Jr. Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, GA EOW: Thursday, October 9, 2008 Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle

 

Game Warden George Harold Whatley Jr. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department – Law …, TX EOW: Friday, October 10, 2008 Cause of Death: Heart attack

 

Officer / Paramedic Bruce Wesley Harrolle Arizona Department of Public Safety, AZ EOW: Monday, October 13, 2008 Cause of Death: Aircraft accident

 

Deputy Sheriff Sarah Irene Haylett-Jones Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, IN EOW: Sunday, October 19, 2008 Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle

 

Police Officer David Donald Tome Northern York County Regional Police Depar…, PA EOW: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle

 

Police Officer Richard Mark Bremer Frederick City Police Department, MD EOW: Thursday, October 23, 2008 Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit

 

Deputy Sheriff Randy Jay Hamson Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, CA EOW: Friday, October 24, 2008 Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle

 

Second Lieutenant Francis Joseph (Frank) Stecco Fairfax County Police Department, VA EOW: Saturday, October 25, 2008 Cause of Death: Drowned

 

Police Officer Shane Cory Figueroa Phoenix Police Department, AZ EOW: Saturday, October 25, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Sergeant Michael R. King University City Police Department, MO EOW: Friday, October 31, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Police Officer Frank Paul Russo Schaumburg Police Department, IL EOW: Saturday, November 1, 2008 Cause of Death: Heart attack

 

Detective Joseph M. Airhart Jr. Chicago Police Department, IL EOW: Tuesday, November 4, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Police Officer Nathaniel Michael Burnfield South Strabane Township Police Department, PA EOW: Tuesday, November 4, 2008 Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle

 

Police Officer Charles Benjamin Skinner North Salt Lake Police Department, UT EOW: Friday, November 7, 2008 Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit

 

Deputy Sheriff Lawrence Wilhelm Canfield Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, CA EOW: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident

 

Sergeant Darrell (Monty) Carmikle Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, AR EOW: Sunday, November 16, 2008 Cause of Death: Aircraft accident

 

Sergeant Timothy Simpson Philadelphia Police Department, PA EOW: Monday, November 17, 2008 Cause of Death: Vehicular assault

 

Special Agent Samuel Steele Hicks United States Department of Justice – Fede…, US EOW: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Police Officer Alex Del Rio Hollywood Police Department, FL EOW: Saturday, November 22, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Deputy Sheriff Nick P. Pham Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, FL EOW: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Sheriff Steven Brent Lee Sr. Trinity County Sheriff’s Department, TX EOW: Thursday, November 27, 2008 Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit

 

Police Officer Robert A. Davis San Antonio Police Department, TX EOW: Monday, December 1, 2008 Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle

 

Police Officer Timothy Scott Abernethy Houston Police Department, TX EOW: Sunday, December 7, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

Deputy Sheriff Brian DeWayne Denning Sumner County Sheriff’s Department, TN EOW: Monday, December 8, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Senior Trooper William Robert Hakim Oregon State Police, OR EOW: Friday, December 12, 2008 Cause of Death: Bomb

 

Captain Thomas Paul Tennant Woodburn Police Department, OR EOW: Friday, December 12, 2008 Cause of Death: Bomb

 

Officer Joseph Paul Sanders California Highway Patrol, CA EOW: Monday, December 15, 2008 Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle

 

Police Officer Mark Steven Simmons Amarillo Police Department, TX EOW: Wednesday, December 17, 2008 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

 

Deputy Sheriff Jeremy Keith Carter Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Department, LA EOW: Friday, December 19, 2008 Cause of Death: Duty related illness

 

Deputy Sheriff William Kenneth Chadwell Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office, OH EOW: Wednesday, December 24, 2008 Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle

 

Sergeant Marc Charles Wilbur Avon Park Police Department, FL EOW: Thursday, December 25, 2008 Cause of Death: Heart attack

 

Public Safety Officer Mason James Samborski Oak Park Department of Public Safety, MI EOW: Sunday, December 28, 2008 Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

 

 

A Deputy’s Prayer

Dear Lord I pray to you,

     Give me the strength to make it through.

          Grant me the wisdom and courage I will need,

               For all of this I do plead.

                    Please watch over me on this shift,

                         Bless me with Your special gift.

                              For my friends and family I do care,

                                   All of this You are aware.

                                        Give them the knowledge if I don’t come home,

                                             With them in Heaven I will roam.

Amen

© Roy D. Polmanteer 1996

The Thin Blue Line

I will warn you now that I will probably have to stop while I am typing this to wipe my eyes. 

 During my almost 13 year long career as a law enforcement officer I have attended the funerals of too many of my brothers, I have cried until I have had no tears left to cry.  I have had nightmares and can still tell you verbatim the page out when a partner was killed in the Line of Duty on May 4, 2001.  I still remember the entire scene and can tell you everything about it.

 Tomorrow four Oakland, California Police Officer who were killed in the line of duty will be laid to rest.  It is during these times that I have to reflect on Romans 13:1-4

Romans 13:1-4 (HCSB)
¹ Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God.
² So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves.
³ For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do good and you will have its approval.
⁴ For government is God’s servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.

 

God has ordained a certain breed to look after and care for others, these few are chosen for many different reasons and fill many different roles.  However as we read in Romans chapter 13 Everyone MUST submit to the governing authorities instituted by God.  We jokingly say “We are with the government – we are here to help you” however verse 4 tells us that the Government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.

JUST REWARD

The police officer stood and faced his Maker,

which must always come to pass.

he hoped his shoes were shining,

Just as brightly as his brass.

 

“Step forward now, police officer

how shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek?

To your maker, have you been true?”

 

The police officer, with squared shoulders, said

“No sir, I guess I ain’t.

Because those of us who carry badges

can’t always be a saint.

 

I’ve had to work most Sundays

and at times my talk was rough

and sometimes I’ve been violent,

because the street are tough.

 

But I never took a penny,

that wasn’t mine to keep.

Though I worked a lot of overtime

when the bills just got too steep.

 

And I never passed by a cry for help

though at times I shook with fear,

and sometimes, please forgive me,

I’ve wept unmanly tears.

 

I know I don’t deserve a place

among the people here.

They never wanted me around

except to calm their fears.

 

But if you would have a place for me here,

well . . . . it need not be too grand

I never expected or had too much

so if you don’t . . . . I’ll understand.”

 

There was silence all around the room

where the saints respectfully stood.

As the police officer waited quietly

for the judgement . . . . bad or good.

 

“Step forward now, police officer,

you’ve borne your burdens well.

Come walk a beat on Heavens streets,

You’ve done your time in hell.”

Author Unknown                                               

 

I pray for the families of the fallen officers and know their pain, their husband, son, father, brother, friend has been taken from them.  The suspect in this case was also killed, and his family also needs our prayer.  They are not responsible for the actions of the gunman and should not be cast out for his actions.  I have prayed for hours and hours trying to figure out why God allowed me to have the skills and knowledge to be an EMT but did not allow mw to save Jason’s Life.  For over a year I carried that burden with me, but always balanced it with the fact that with his dying breaths Jason was more worried about the safety of others than his own.

 

I think of a saying that is known in the Law Enforcement brotherhood -

We Are The Thin Blue Line . . . . All that stands between good and evil.

Father; I thank you for the ability to serve you as I serve others, protecting them from harm as you protect me.  I ask that you be with those that are serving you by wearing the badge, keep them safe this night as they work their beat.  Watch over their families and give them the comfort that you are with them on this shift.  Amen

Rest In Peace my dear brothers, though we have never meet I will mourn your fate and pray for your families

Mark Dunakin

John Hege

Ervin Romans

Daniel Sakai

 

Facing Secular People

Acts presents a marvelous account of Simon Peter’s ministry. His sermon on the Day of Pentecost, preaching to the Gentiles and his testimony at the Jerusalem Conference is a remarkable life a failure and recovery.

Peter had been with Jesus through the Savior’s earthly ministry and had been one of his closest apostles. Yet when the Lord needed him most, Peter denied him not once, not twice but three times. Instead of writing him off, the resurrected Jesus restored him to useful service. Jesus persisted in love to reclaim a disciple who became highly instrumental in the early church’s success.

There are several examples of persistence in the Bible, lets look at Sampson and Delilah Judges 16:16 (KJV) And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; or as it says in the Holman Christian Standard “she nagged him day after day”.

In Luke 18 1-5 we read He then told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not become discouraged: “There was a judge in one town who didn’t fear God or respect man. And a widow in that town kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ “For a while he was unwilling, but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or respect man, yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice, so she doesn’t wear me out by her persistent coming.’ ”

We can be grateful that Jesus did not give up on us. He continues to move each of us toward spiritual maturity and more effective service. Have you given in to the temptation to give up on others? Serving Christ by Serving Others