The world does not yet know whether we lost a sister or a brother, a mother or a father, or a son or daughter tonight, as my thoughts gather into words on this page. Their identity has not yet been released. We do know however, that someone left home this morning, put on a uniform, and set out to protect the very community that would end their life. We do know that somewhere close by a mother, father, child or spouse is learning that they will not be coming home tonight.
This is the risk they take everyday.
No matter how many routine traffic stops they make, no matter how many sidewalks they cross, no matter how many homes they enter peacefully, there can always be that one that goes wrong. The officers of our communities take this risk everyday to make our world a safer place for every one of us to live in.
Tonight was that one home that went wrong in Tacoma.
close to HOME
Speaking for myself, this is close to home in so many ways. Happening in my hometown where I still live, not far from the first home I purchased and even closer yet is that I have a close loved one working on a path to law enforcement. I have my own set of reasons to mourn the loss of one of our cities finest.
But does our community understand the need to show support? What is it about the death of a police officer that stirs our communities more so than other members of our society? To understand the loss, we must first take a look at what they do for us.
would you SAY YES?
Imagine taking a job where you would be told that you would have to work any hour of the day, every holiday, and that when you show up to do your job no one is happy to see you arrive.
Would you say yes?
This is the life of an officer. We rely on them to be there for us any hour of the day, every day of the year. Could you think of calling 911 to be told that the police department is not available because they are having their annual picnic, or they took the day off for Christmas? That does not happen, no matter the day, time, or holiday, they are here for us.
How do you feel about approaching people that may look threatening? How are you at helping mentally handicap individuals get to a place of safety? What about dealing with disorderly loiters who may be relieving themselves on the side of a building? These men and women face the parts of our society that we ourselves do not want to touch. They help those that we would like to forget are part of our communities. Our officers stand up and defend even those who disrespect them in the street. They do what they were sworn to do on a daily basis in the name of making our communities a safer place to live and work.
Would you say yes?
why they PROTECT
So why would a select few of our community take on what would be such a thankless job?
I can not speak for the motivation of all, but the few that I know feel a great reward from serving. They feel moved to protect those who may otherwise be helpless. They wake up every day with the goal of making our world a better place. They work in rough neighborhoods and are proud to connect with the community to make them safer.
I am thankful that people like this exist and that they choose to be part of our community.
what WE LOSE
As is true with our closest friends and family, we mourn those hardest that have done the most for us. With all that our police officers do for us and our communities, it is with a heavier heart that we learn of their passing.
When an officer falls, we lose a part of our community. We lose a part of the safety that we hold dear in our hometown. If those that protect us can be taken down, then who will stand between us and harms way? Who will do the jobs we ourselves do not want to do? Who will protect and serve?
The death of an officer threatens our ideals for a safer world.
why WE MOURN
When an officer passes, we mourn their loss. We mourn for the families they leave behind. We mourn out of respect for all that they have done for our communities while they were alive. And we mourn for what they gave up on our behalf in their death.
When we lose an officer, our hope for a brighter future is challenged. We mourn this loss. We mourn the safety of our parks, schools and homes that feel threatened. We mourn not only them, but what they represent.
When we as a community mourn for the fallen, we show support to those that still stand for our us. We show support for those that will once again put on a uniform tomorrow morning not knowing if they will return home that night. We thank them for what they do and show that it is appreciated by showing what a great loss their sister and brother behind the badge has meant to us.
Thank you for mourning this loss on our journey with me. I appreciate all of you as well as your thoughts and comments below. Please share your gratitude for our officers with your network, and most importantly remember them in your thoughts and prayers.
Andy Vargo is a motivational speaker, life coach and comedian who challenges you to ‘Own Your Awkward’. He is the author of the Awkward Journal series, host of the podcast, Own Your Awkward, and shares thoughts and ideas in his blog and video series available at awkwardcareer.com.
Originally published on LinkedIn