“I usually keep quiet on social media about work related topics but for some reason today I find it hard to stay silent. This picture was taken last night at 1am as I was heading back to work from my dinner break. So what made last nights dinner break so different from the one Friday night, or any other night. Well a few things. For one my 3-year-old daughter was still up and had the same craving for some breadsticks I had brought home to share with my amazing and beautiful wife! When I was ready to head back to work I gave them both a kiss goodbye like I always do. Ally was especially lovey and wanted lots of hugs and kisses and Katie took some pictures of us enjoying a beautiful father daughter moment. Off to bed they went and back to work I went. As I began to back out of the driveway I learned two deputies from a nearby county had been shot. As I monitored the situation to see what assistance we might be able to provide I sent Katie a text telling her about the shooting. We exchanged some texts and I told her I would keep her informed as I learned more. She told me to be careful, as she always does, and I told her “always,” as I always do. I told her I loved her, as I always do, she said, “I love you more,” as she always does, to which I said “I doubt it,” as I always do. It’s “our thing” and I cherish the words. I went on a handful of calls the rest of the night but spent most of the rest of the shift keeping up to speed with the unfolding events of the shooting. I went to bed around 6 this morning as both deputies were still alive and being treated. One stable, one critical. I woke at noon to hear Deputy Koontz had succumb to his injuries.
So what made his death different from the 25 other officers killed so far this year? Was it because it happened so close to our backyard? Was it because it was yet another senseless murder of a man doing his sworn duty? Was it because he was so young, just staring his life, family, and chosen profession? Was it because I could tell it affected Katie more than normal? I then realized it was all of these and one other thing….the asking of prayers.
I read daily on various social media sites people asking for prayers for officers who have been killed or injured. Well today I ask, when do we stop asking for prayers and start asking for action? I say a prayer every night, hell sometimes a hundred times a night I will make it home to my family and those working alongside me will as well. I say a prayer for those officers killed, injuries, and suffering everyday. And I also pray that at some point words and prayers will turn into action and a voice…..
When will Police Chief’s, Sheriff’s, Mayors, State Representatives and Senators, Governors, Congress, the Senate, and the President, stand up and say we have had enough of the open season killing our law enforcement officers? When do we start giving as much media coverage and attention to those who sacrifice as we do whose lives apparently matter more?
So at the end of the day what do we do? Well, tonight I, and thousands of other officers, will place a black band over my badge and will kiss Ally, Henry, and Katie goodbye and I will go to work like I have done for the last 20 years. I will say a prayer for a safe night for me, my shift mates, and all those working and wearing a uniform. I will say a prayer for the medics, nurses, and doctors that may have to treat an officer tonight. I will say a prayer for the dispatchers that may be the last person I ever talk to. And I will pray for the men and women of the Howard County Sheriff’s Office, I will pray for Deputy Koontz’s wife, family, and friends. I will pray for the community he served and sacrificed for. I will pray for the physical and emotional healing of Sgt. Jordan Buckley. And finally I will pray that we clearly need all the prayers we can get and I ask that silent prayers turn into action and overwhelming support for those who serve and protect.”