Our Day - Our Heroes

There, among the pillars of marble and polished stone; among the hoards of commuters, workers and tourists; among the sightseers, visitors and residents; among the judges, the juries and the witnesses coming and going from Judiciary Square in Washington D.C, stands a quiet courtyard. It is a vacant space between two busy buildings – adorned with perfectly manicured trees and flowerbeds, pools of cool water and the statuary of a lion and lamb, lending a peaceful and serene backdrop to the starkly cold slabs of marble, embracing all visitors. These walls are engraved with the names of good men and women. Thousands of them—moms, dads, brothers and sisters; kids, coworkers and friends—all of whom, having died for their country. Having given us, the ultimate sacrifice. Are they soldiers? No. Marines ? No.

They are cops. State troopers, deputies, municipal police officers, federal agents. Every name on the elliptical walls—each placed without regard for rank, geography or title—gave you everything they had, to keep your community at peace and to keep your family free from harm. This is hallowed ground for American law enforcement. The National Law Enforcement Memorial. Someday, if you get the chance to visit Washington D.C., I implore you to take the time to go there. To stand there. To reflect on the peace and tranquility you enjoy there. And, to pray there.

I have visited this national memorial and have taken part in the ceremonies held there twice in my days as a state trooper and have seen the names of over 60; also engraved, on our own memorial at the Wyoming State Law Enforcement Academy, at Douglas. Three, were friends of mine. I am so proud to have known them. They gave my beloved Wyoming all they had. I often write of the valor of police officers in part, to honor these Wyoming sons and to honor the others I have known across the country who likewise saw a need, took the job and gave their lives to it. Completely.

Like Tina Kerbrat—the very first female Los Angeles Police Officer killed in the line of duty—she, a friend and the wife of a high school classmate who happened be a Los Angeles Firefighter. Tina was still in training when she was shot and killed.

Or Skip Fink, an Arizona state trooper who when last I saw him, had me laughing so hard I nearly had an accident. A wonderful and decent man who did not deserve to die. Yet he did so, for you. Hit from behind on a traffic stop by a drunk driver.

Or, Wyoming state trooper Chris Logsden—who when last we spoke, shared his love of flying with me—both of us pilots for hobby and cops, for fun, Chris, after locating a wrong-way driver about to collide with a school bus full of children, took evasive action and in doing so, crashed and was killed as his patrol car rolled. He is gone now and he is one of the thousands on that wall. Like Tina and Skip, Chris will live forever in name and in spirit. Heroes like these deserve eternal remembrance. As long as new, young heroes take the oath of office, those lost, live on forever.

May 15^th is National Police Memorial Day. Flags fly at half-staff on this day on government buildings and I pray, everywhere else where flags are flown. You will see police officers around the country wearing mourning ribbons across their badge. Now you will know why.

The week of May 15^th inclusive, is National Police Week. It is a time for honoring my former comrades. While I enjoy the comforting pension I receive for my service, they still patrol our streets, highways and alleys, still offer themselves as a thin blue line between you and the pervasive evil, greed and violent anger that exists in the society we all share.

I ask you to salute them. Thank them. Honor them—by simply obeying the law, offering a kind waive or handshake or, perhaps with a prayer. And on May 15^th, remember them all. Both those you can see and the many standing watch over us all.

In the warm and safe protection, of God.