Late on
Saturday I saw something about a local police officer who had been shot.
While I hate hearing of any one getting shot, whether they are police
or whoever, this didn't really register. I don't know if I was tired,
distracted or what. On Sunday morning our Bible Study teacher told us
about this officer, as he knew him personally.
Tim
Brackeen, was only 38 years old. He was married with a young daughter. A
young girl who will not have her dad to see her grow up. A young girl
who will not have her dad to stand at the door and frighten dates. A
young girl who will not have her dad to walk her down the aisle, hold
her children, be there for her as he grows older. Tim Brackeen, was shot
and killed at 38 years of age, he will get no older.
At
just after midnight on Friday, he was searching for a suspect. While
the reports of what happened varies from news agency to agency, the end
result is that police officer Tim Brackeen, was shot and today (Monday
the 12th, 2016) he succumbed to his injuries. The individual's where
abouts, who is thought to have done the shooting is currently unknown.
From
the moment that word got out that he had been shot, the community has
rallied around the family, with the closest standing vigil at the
hospital.
Now,
as word of his passing is shared, the community rallies around the
family. They are the ones who are in need of support now. A wife who has
lost her husband, her lover, her friend. A young girl who has lost her
world. A non-profit account has been set up at Fidelity Bank up for
those who wish to donate. A business, MAKE Motorsports, is making Team
Brackeen decals, another, Flooise Girl Boutique, is taking orders for
Team Brackeen shirts. Money, I know will help financially, but the loss
of a special individual is obviously not going to be able to be
replaced.
Many
individuals have come forward to speak on behalf of this officer.
Everything that has been said, has been good. He was an individual who
believed in giving to the community. He believed in the real reasons for
wearing that badge and that was to protect, to serve and to know the
people that he protected and served. Who, will step forward to pick up
where he left off? No one will be able to walk in his shoes, or his
footsteps, but they can take up the baton and move forward.
In
the meantime, we need to find the individual who took away this family
man, who silenced the voice of the one who stood in school assembly
rooms and talked with the students. Who stopped the heart, of a very big
hearted gentleman.
I
did not personally know this man, but I don't have to. I've learned so
much about him, through the words of those others who did. It is a sad
day for all, when the voice of a special one, is silenced.
-
The
thing is, this is happening more and more. It is all too often that we
are hearing of another officer of the law being shot. Yes, there are bad
police just as there are bad anything else. Being human there are human
failings. That does not excuse it nor make it right. The police officer
in pinning that badge on should recognize the responsibility that comes
with that badge. The officer should realize that there job is to serve,
not harm, not dominate, not intimidate, but to serve and to protect.
Most know and do this. There are and will always be those who take
advantage of the position and abuse that position and the trust that
civilians have in them.
The good
officer dons that uniform and prepares to leave out to fulfill their
duty. They strap on that gun and hope that on this day it will remain in
the holster. They hope, that this day they will return home safe, sound
and unharmed and will have harmed no one.
The
good officer goes out into the public arena and attempts in every and
any way possible to make a difference in their neighborhood. They
interact with the adults. The interact with the kids on the levels of
age and maturity. They teach, they share, they assist, they know their
neighbors by name.
The
good officer goes out and helps find lost children, or helps lost
children find their guardian. Then finds out how they became separated.
The
good officer readily and quickly walks into potential danger in the
hopes of protecting or saving their neighbors. They seek out the
fugitive. They seek the guilty.
The good officer does their job well and without hesitation.
I have watched good officers in action. I have watched them surround a
home and talk a person who was off their medication and becoming a
danger to themselves and their neighbors. I watched them carefully and
professional bring a situation to a good end for all concerned.
I
have nothing but respect for the good officers of this country. I know,
that even as the good officers stand together, they realize that the
potential for a good officer to turn is always there. Even they, are
human and subject to human failings. But even with human failings, no
one, has the right to take the life of a police officer. No one should
believe they have that right. No one should think, 'its just a cop'.
They are human, they are family people. They are just as important as
the next individual. They are here to protect and serve, not stand as a target. If you are doing wrong, they are going to come after you. If you are driving in a manner that is unsafe for the other traffic on the road, they are going to come after you. If you are stealing, fighting, have done harm to another, if you abuse family members, especially children, they are going to come after you. If you commit a crime of any kind, they are going to come after you. This means you are in the wrong, being in the wrong does not give you the right to shoot the police. If you do not want them to come after you, don't commit the crime.
To think that it is okay to shoot an officer of the law, leaves me in stunned disbelief. And it makes me wonder, just what sort of people we are becoming.
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