A Fallen Brother

A few weeks ago while training a group of police officers I noticed that one of the officers attending the class had a date tattooed on her wrist. "01-09-08" piqued my interest and I asked her what the date represented. "That is the day my brother died in Iraq," she replied. After a moment of feeling awkward for bringing up what was surely a painful memory for her, it occurred to me that the moment should not be awkward at all. I am quite certain that the tattoo she proudly displays often causes people to ask about its meaning. That is why it is there. To encourage people to ask, and therefore to remember Army Staff Sergeant Jonathan Dozier and to appreciate his sacrifice for us and our country.


On that fateful January day in 2008, Sgt. Dozier and five of his fellow soldiers were killed by an Improvised Explosive Device while conducting a search of a house suspected of being used by Al Queda. The other soldiers killed in the incident were Specialist Todd E. Davis; Staff Sergeant Sean Gaul; Sergeant Zachary McBride; Sergeant First Class Matthew Pionk; and Sergeant Christopher Sanders.

The week after I learned about Sgt. Dozier's story, I like the rest of America paused to recognize the anniversary of September 11th. Each and every American vividly remembers that horrible day in great detail. We go to great lengths to remember the thousands of victims that lost their lives that day, as well we should. As the slogan that has become so popular since 9/11 says: "We will never forget."

Sadly, however, it feels like as a population we tend to forget the thousands of American service men and women who have sacrificed their lives since 9/11 in the war against terror. The families of those brave and selfless soldiers will forever feel the enormous sense of loss, just as the families of 9/11 victims do. I for one am deeply grateful to each and every one of them who put their lives and families on hold, travelled across the world to a foreign land and day after day risked their lives under unimaginable conditions of war while we continued our lives as usual. And I am especially grateful to those who did not come home. Those like Sgt. Dozier. It should be noted that Sgt. Dozier was continuing a family legacy of serving their country which dated back several generations to the Civil War. In a letter Sgt. Dozier wrote in the weeks prior to his death he said, "I believe in things greater than myself and making sacrifices for the greater good." Well done Sir, you could not have set a better example for us all to follow.

Sgt. Dozier would have turned 36 years old today. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and our gratitude goes to his family for all of their service. In honor of Sgt. Dozier we have made a contribution to the Fallen Patriot Fund in his name. You may do the same by visiting their website at www.fallenpatriotfund.org.

 

 

(Not) Just Another Name on the Wall

     Last Friday I attended a Baltimore Orioles game with my 8 year old daughter, Leila. As we stood in line to buy ice cream there was an Army soldier in full uniform who walked past us. I could not help but notice how young he looked. If not for the uniform I would have guessed 15 at most. I must admit, I have become the "salty" veteran on the police force who finds himself more and more frequently complaining of the younger generation and how they lack the sense of respect and work ethic of my generation. But as I looked at this baby-faced soldier I could not help but swell with appreciation for him and the many young people like him who still answer the call to duty and serve their country. I have had a great life in the "land of the free," reaping the many benefits of our free society. This only occurs because of the sacrifices made by so many young people throughout our country's history who have laid down their life, unfortunately before they had barely lived, so that others like me could have a fulfilled life. 

     The following day I took Leila to Washington, D.C. to visit the Abraham Lincoln memorial. She had recently read a book about Lincoln and to my delight was very interested in learning more about him. As we made our way across the National Mall toward the Lincoln Memorial we came upon the Viet Nam War Memorial. I explained to Leila what the monument stood for and how there were over 58,000 names of American soldiers who lost their life in the war. The average age of those who died was 19. I thought about the night before and the young soldier I had seen. Leila asked if I knew anyone whose name was on the wall.  I explained that I did not and that I was born near the end of the war. We decided to randomly pick a name from the wall and honor that person. The name we chose was John Ringholm. We transferred his name onto a piece of paper and looked forward to "Googling" it when we got home  to learn more about John Ringholm and the life he lived. Sadly, what we found was a life that has all but been forgotten. John was 19 years old when he was killed in action June 24, 1970 (5 days shy of his 20th birthday). John was from Middletown, New York and from what it appears was an only child. If our research was accurate both of his parents are now deceased. One thing that was really disheartening was that when we searched his name on Viet Nam Veterans Memorial Fund page this is the image that comes up with his profile:

     The fact that a young man can give his life for his country and be so anonymous as this is heartbreaking. How many of the other 58,000 names has time forgotten? Leila and I have purchased bracelets that memorialize John Ringholm and his sacrifice so that he will not be forgotten (memorial bracelets). I invite each of you to at least visit the Viet Nam War Memorial Fund website given above and leave a reflection of appreciation for John or any other soldier.

     This Memorial Day weekend while you are enjoying the beach, cookouts, and any other activities I hope everyone finds a small moment in time to remember what the holiday is for and those who it honors.

SHAME ON YOU WRC CHANNEL 4 IN WASHINGTON, DC

     Each day when I wake up I have developed the habit of turning my t.v. on to WRC channel 4 in Washington, D.C., an NBC affiliate. I do this to catch up on the news of the day as I get ready for work. This past Monday while I was in the midst of my routine the anchor began telling of the candlelight vigil that took place at the Law Enforcement memorial the night before to honor officers who had died in the line of duty. I was happy to see the media recognizing such an important and meaningful event. That is until I realized that mentioning the vigil was merely an introduction to an "exclusive report" into police cars that have been illegally parked during police week activities. The "exclusive" report by WRC seemed to take great pride in breaking this story and trying to get a negative reaction from Metropolitan Police Department Chief Cathy Lanier. The reporter seemed to have the same sense of achievement in his voice as you might have expected Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein to have had when they uncovered the Watergate break in.

     We in law enforcement have come to expect scrutiny from the media and for members of the media to constantly try to feast on any negative story they can find related to police officers. Police scandals and misconduct make for great stories. What they fail to realize is that so do the innumerable acts of heroism and sacrifice that officers exhibit everyday that far outnumber our misdeeds. Especially when those acts of heroism involve the ultimate sacrifice of giving ones life to protect the community for which they serve. Might the viewers of WRC have been more intrigued by some of the stories of officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in 2012? The thousands of Law Enforcement Officers who descended on the nations capitol this week were there to pay respect to the 120 officers killed in the line of duty in 2012. WRC seemed to take great pride in counting the number of cruisers parked illegally during the ceremonies surrounding police week. Perhaps they would have been better suited counting the number of children (225) who lost a parent to a line of duty death last year. Or the thousands of others before them. Surely, no one from WRC took the time to walk through the memorial and get a feel for the magnitude of loss felt by so many loved ones of fallen officers, or maybe they would have seen the value in reporting a positive law enforcement story during their most sacred week of the year. The loss I describe is so evident in photos like these:

     There are 120 stories that would have been exponentially more compelling that WRC could have reported, but they missed the boat. They could have done an "exclusive" story on Park Ranger Margaret Anderson, who was shot to death by a fleeing suspect in Mount Rainier National Park on New Year's Day 2012. Maybe the story could have focused on how Ranger Anderson was working on a major holiday and sacrificing time with her family while most of the rest of the country was spending time with theirs. Perhaps the story could have recognized, as National Park Service Director, Jon Jarvis did, that Ranger Anderson selflessly "made deliberate, tactical decisions to protect the visitors at the park....she gave her life to keep the visitors safe." Finally, maybe the story could recognize how by committing this selfless act, Ranger Anderson left behind a husband and two of the 225 children mentioned above; now ages 5 and 3. She will not be there for their first day of school or their high school graduations. She will not be there to see them marry or hold her grandchildren. How unfortunate that the day after Mothers Day WRC missed an opportunity to recognize this special mother and the children her selfless act left behind. Instead, they chose the low road by seeking a story of scandal rather than heroism. Perhaps WRC could have honored Ranger Anderson with a story like this one. Or, they could have honored any one of the other 119 officers who made a similar sacrifice in 2012. Shame on you WRC. But thank you for inspiring me to make a donation to the Ranger Margaret Anderson Fund which was established to support her two small children. You may join me in donating to this great cause here.

Ranger Margaret Anderson

Mother's Day Scenes from the Law Enforcement Memorial

As many of you are already aware, this is Police Week. A week to honor the fallen heroes of law enforcement. I am so grateful to live in close proximity to Washington, D.C. so that I have the chance every year to visit the memorial during Police Week and participate in some of the events. Every year it is equally impossible to not feel the swell of emotion present during this extraordinary event. For those of you who are not able to visit this year I would like to share some of the photos I took that capture some of the events today.

Officer Molly Thomas-Bowden of the Columbia, MO Police Department was gunned down during a traffic stop in 2005. I had the opportunity to speak with her mother today at the memorial. How heartbreaking to spend Mothers' Day remembering your daughter in this way.

State Trooper Linda Huff, of the Idaho State Police Department, was shot and killed durng a gunfight with a suspect in 1998. Trooper Huff was shot 17 times; the last shot while she laid helpless on the ground. Trooper Huff was a mother of three children. This is the 15th Mother's Day her children are without their mother.

Too many names continue to be added to this wall year after year.

The Children: The following photos speak for themselves.

The Police Unity Tour:

The Police Unity Tour is a bike ride from New Jersey to the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. by law enforcement officers whose purpose is to raise awareness of police officers who have died in the line of duty. Its motto is "We ride for those who died." The second purpose of the unity tour is to raise funds for the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum. Over 1600 people participate in the tour each year. It was an honor to be there to witness those who rode in the tour this year as they finished their ride at the memorial. We have made a donation to the this outstanding cause and encourage you to do so as well.

There is something about the roar of the motors in the distance and listening to it get louder and louder the closer they get!

To all of the Mother's out there we hope you have had a well deserved wonderful day! Please keep the memories of all the officers who have given their lives in the line of duty alive and pray for their families.



The Best Cop I Have Ever Known

 

  In 1993 as a rookie officer just cut loose from the FTO program I was called to assist the narcotics unit with transporting a suspect they had just arrested during an undercover operation. Growing up all I had ever wanted to do was be a plainclothes/undercover officer so this was like getting a chance to meet your favorite celebrity. I was very nervous when I arrived on the scene, hoping not to say or do anything embarrassing in front of the narcotics detectives. Several of them were going about their business and generally appearing completely ambivalent about my presence. It was clear that I was nothing more than a taxi service for them and they had no interest in acknowledging me otherwise. But then one of them emerged from the crowd, walked straight up to me, gave me a firm handshake, looked me straight in the eyes and said, "How you doing, my name is Steve Matthews, thanks for helping us out." Steve went on to spend about 10 minutes briefing me about their investigation, showing me the crack they had just purchased and explaining to me common methods of operation for drug dealers. I received more of an education in real police work in those ten minutes than I learned in six months at the academy. Obviously, Steve did not have to take the time to make me feel important or give me an invaluable lesson that made me a better cop. But he did. And over the course of the next 20 years I witnessed him take the time with countless other young officers and make them better too. That is because Steve is the ultimate team player. Never looking for personal recognition but always wanting to be involved in a team effort to get the job done.

     I have always marveled at Steve's ability to seemingly fill each day with about 28 hours instead of 24 like the rest of us. That is the only way I can explain how he does all the things he does. Somehow he seems to be tirelessly working the scene of a homicide or conducting an intense surveillance while at the same time attending one of his daughters activities, preparing a Santa sleigh ride for his community, helping a neighbor, and any of a number of other things for other people at the same time. He is simply someone you can rely on and who can never say "no" or "I would love to but I am already doing something else." He just finds a way to make it happen and get the job done.

     As a police officer there is no one with more passion for what he does. He poured his heart and soul into every case whether it was a shoplifter or a murder. He led by example, always giving 100% and letting his teammates know he could be relied on no matter what. We worked together on a plainclothes surveillance team for several years. Steve was the guy who would take the "eye" on a business during a night time commercial burglary detail and keep it all night if you asked him to. Never complaining and always staying glued to the place he was watching. If you don't comprehend how impressive this quality is try going to a local shopping center tonight around midnight and parking somewhere in the dark. Sit in the same place until about eight o'clock tomorrow morning without getting out of your car. Make sure your car is turned off no matter how hot or cold it gets so that you don't blow your cover. And whatever you do, don't take your eyes off the business your watching because if you do you just might miss it getting burglarized. That means no reading, watching movies, etc. And oh by the way, you figure out what to do if you need to go to the bathroom.

     When we started our police training company Steve was the first instructor we asked to work for us because of the obvious qualities I have described above. The last class Steve helped us with was last month, just a few days after he was hired for his new job and announced his retirement from the police department. When the class was over a veteran officer attending the class approached me and told me how inspired he was by the passion Steve exuded for police work and how rare it was to see someone at the end of their career have as much energy and commitment as Steve has.

     Steve Matthews sets the standard that I aspire to achieve when it comes to being a police officer, a friend and a father. There are countless times during our friendship that Steve's advice or actions have meant the world to me.  A few years ago my father, whom I was very close to passed away. It left a void in my life that can never be filled. In the days immediately following his death I received many cards and calls from friends expressing their sympathy. They all meant a lot and I have saved them all. There was one message that stood out to me more than any other. It came from Steve Matthews. Steve said, "Your job now is to become more like him." That simple statement left an enormous impression on me. My father would have turned 75 years old today. Tomorrow I will celebrate the extraordinary career of Steve Matthews at his retirement party. And each day thereafter I will continue to try to be more like my dad....and Steve!

Reflections on the Boston Marathon Tragedy

     In 1997 I had the unfortunate and completely unexpected experience of learning that my wife no longer wanted to be married to me. We had a four year old daughter at the time and I was very content. My world was turned upside down. In the wake of the overwhelming stress and anguish that accompanies such experiences I began smoking cigarettes and partaking in a nightly ritual of listening to depressing music with a glass of bourbon (or two). I found myself in a state of depression, not having much desire to do anything but wallow in my sorrow. Then one night I did something different to try to break out of this hopeless routine. I RAN! I ran for about a mile and a half until the burning in my legs and lungs become too much to continue. Despite the extreme physical discomfort I was in, I felt better than I had felt in a long time. So, the next night I ran again. And the night after that. Soon I was running two miles. Before long I participated in my first 5k race. Running became my escape, my sanctuary, my religion. It was the only part of my day where nothing could bother me. No unwanted phone calls, no bad news in the mailbox, no traffic jams, no pending deadlines. Just me and the quiet calm of evenings and the open road beneath my feet. I found a peace in running that I have never experienced in any other activity.

     In addition to becoming my outlet for decompressing from stress and "getting my head right," running soon became a vehicle for personal challenges and to strengthen my body mind and soul. I decided to challenge myself in a way that was far greater than I ever had in my life. I decided to train for a marathon. When I ran the idea by a co-worker (the only person I personally knew who had ever run a marathon) he suggested if I was going to do it that I join the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training program and run in honor of cancer victims. I took the advice and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Not only did running with a group of people who shared the same common goal inspire me not to give up when training pushed me to my limits; but I had the opportunity to meet so many incredibly inspiring cancer survivors, many of them children. I raised over $10,000 for the cause while pursuing my goal of completing my first marathon in June 2000.

     What does this have to do with what occurred on Monday at the Boston marathon you might be asking. I have repeatedly watched the raw video of the first explosion near the finish line. I watch the video from a somewhat unique perspective. The first thing I notice is the time on the official marathon clock (4 hours and nine minutes). I have run a total of six marathons. My fastest time was 3:52 and my slowest time was 4:16. My first thought was that had I been running in Boston on Monday I would have been at or near the finish line and therefore at or near the explosion. Boston along with The Marine Corps and New York marathons are commonly thought of as the "world series" of marathons. Having completed New York and the Marine Corps marathons I have a complete understanding of what an awesome experience it is to run in such a tremendous event with tens of thousands of runners and tens of thousands of spectators throughout the 26.2 mile course. I know the unparalleled feeling of crossing that finish line to the cheering of spectators knowing you have just accomplished something that only 1% of the world population has done. So I could not help thinking of the thousands of runners that did not get to cross the finish line Monday. Those who have spent the past several months training to prepare for this. Who have run through the rain, snow, heat and cold. Who have run in honor of someone they have lost or some other charitable cause like I had. All of them denied their moment. What is so appealing to me about marathon running is that so many who participate bring with them such compelling stories. Each has used the goal of completing a marathon as a vehicle to overcome personal adversity. There are cancer survivors, amputees, war veterans and many other examples of heroes and role models that participate. And many of whom on this day saw their goals and dreams ruined by such a cowardly act.

     The next thing I noticed while watching the video of the explosion was Bill Iffrig, the elderly runner whose legs buckled under him as he collapsed from the force of the explosion, just several yards from the finish line. I would later learn that Mr. Iffrig is 78 years old and was about to complete his 45th marathon! Among the many small acts of inspiration we witnessed in the aftermath of the explosions was Mr. Iffrig being helped to his feet and crossing the finish line. I could not help but see the symbolism that Mr. Iffrig displayed for all Americans. We may get knocked down, but we will get back up and not be denied our ability to achieve and be free.

     Of course, the worst tragedy that came from this event is the victims caused by the explosions. Their stories that have been reported are heartbreaking. Among them are the two brothers who each lost a leg. The young girl who loved Irish dancing that lost a leg. Many others who lost limbs and whose lives will never be the same. And worst of all, the story of the Richard family whose 8 year-old son, Martin, was killed. Martin's mother and 6 year old sister remain in critical condition with serious injuries sustained in the blast. As the father of an 8 year old I could not even imagine the depths of sorrow Martins' family is feeling. Being the father of an 8 year old was also one of the reasons that led me to spend Christmas in Newtown, CT. delivering gifts to first responders, teachers and children after the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy. In an unbelievably sad twist of fate many of the Newtown survivors and family members were either participants or spectators at the marathon.

    The last thing I noticed in the video were dozens of yellow vested Boston Police Officers instinctively and without hesitation running towards the bombing site immediately following the blast. It is in moments like this that I could not be prouder of the profession  I chose over 20 years ago. Law Enforcement Officers so often are the target of criticism and usually it is our mistakes that capture the media attention. How unfortunate that it takes a tragic event like this to show the world the true character and heroism of those who wear the badge. I would be remiss if I did not mention the many citizens that also rushed to the aid of victims after the explosions. Collectively the officers and these citizens demonstrated what our country is all about. As Boston District Attorney, Dan Conley so eloquently stated, "Moments like these, terrible as they are, do not show our weakness, they show our strength."

    This weeks act of kindness is making a donation to the Boston First Responders Fund which has been established by the members of the Boston First Responders community to provide relief to victims of the marathon bombing. You can learn more about this fund and how to make a donation here.

   Checks can be sent to:
Boston First Responders Fund
c/o Boston Firefighters Credit Union
60 Hallet St.
Dorchester, MA 02124

    May we all live to run another day!

#11: In Memory of Officer Andrew Dunn

Officer Andrew Dunn

Sandusky Police Department

Last Tuesday marked the second anniversary of the murder of Officer Andrew Dunn, of the Sandusky (Ohio) Police Department. Officer Dunn had attempted to stop and question a suspicious person when the individual pulled a gun and shot him. Although mortally wounded, Officer Dunn was able to return fire and strike the suspect twice as he fled from the scene. 

In reading more about Officer Dunn it was no surprise to learn he was like so many special officers that have lost their lives in the line of duty. Sadly, he left two small sons, who were just 3 years old and 5 months old when he died. Since we have started this Act of Kindness campaign the most upsetting aspect of learning about the officers/soldiers we honor is the number of young children left behind that will grow up without a mom or dad. 

Officer Dunn's story touched me in a very personal way. His father was also an officer with the Sandusky Police Department. Apparently, it was Andrew's lifelong dream to become a police officer just like his dad. In becoming a police officer I too fulfilled a lifelong dream to follow in my father's footsteps. My father passed away three years ago. The bond that we shared through police work is something I will always cherish. Therefore, it was especially emotional to read the following reflection left for Officer Dunn by his father on the Officer Down Memorial Page (odmp.org) on the anniversary of his death:

ANOTHER GOOD DAY, AS GOOD AS MARCH 19 CAN BE ANYMORE....NO OFFICERS LOST SINCE MARCH 7TH. WELL IT'S BEEN 2 LONG YEAS SINCE WE LOST YOU, BUT THE TIME HAS GONE BY SO FAST I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S BEEN THAT LONG. MYSELF, FELLOW OFFICERS, FRIENDS AND FAMILY WERE AT THE SCENE AT 0301 THIS MORNING...MOURNING YOU ONCE AGAIN. DOESN'T GET ANY EASIER FOR ANY OF US. WE ALL MISS YOU EVERYDAY AND THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. I LOVE YOU BOY, LOVE DAD.


BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED SON'S OF GOD MATTHEW 5:9

FELLOW OFFICER AND FATHER OF
ANDREW S. DUNN E.O.W. 3-19-11

RET. OFC. MATTHEW S. DUNN
SANDUSKY P.D. (OHIO)
March 19, 2013

Among the things I learned about Officer Dunn was that he was a very conscientious officer who was always interested in becoming a better officer. This was quite evident when I read that he paid for training out of his own pocket. Last week our company held a training course that overlapped the anniversary of Officer Dunn's death. There were two officers who paid for the course out of their own pocket. In honor of Officer Dunn, I have offered each of these officers the opportunity to attend a future class at no cost. 

Please take a moment to visit the facebook page created in memory of Officer Dunn.

#10: Going the Distance for Sgt. Philip O'Reilly

Sgt. Philip O'Reilly

This past Saturday, March 16th, I ran in the Rock n Roll half marathon in Washington, D.C. There were over 30,000 participants in the race. I wanted to use the opportunity to honor a special officer during this event. It seemed fitting to honor Sgt. Philip O'Reilly, of the Chicago Police Department, as the race occurred on the tenth anniversary of his line of duty death. Sgt. O'Reilly was killed on March 16, 2003, when he was struck by a tow truck.

In honor of Sgt. O'Reilly I wore a sign on my back during the race with his photo and a recognition of the anniversary of his death. My hope was that as many of the tens of thousands in attendance as possible would see the sign and take a moment to appreciate and aknowledge his sacrifice.

I am sending the sign I wore and my race medal to Sgt. O'Reilly's family as something tangible they can have to be reminded that they were not alone on this sad day and that his memory lives on.

Sgt. O'Reilly had six children. Here is a link to a speech given by one of Sgt. O'Reilly's children at a memorial ceremony. 

#9: Honoring Two Female Officers Lost on the Same Day

One year ago today (March 6th) Law Enforcement lost two officers in two parts of the country and under very different circumstances. The one common factor was that both officers were women. For the entire year of 2012 there were 115 male officers killed in the line of duty, but just 13 women. Barbara Pill and Britney Meux, two of the 13, killed on the same day. When one looks into the lives of Barbara Pill and Britney Meux they discover that these women's lives were very different. But when we examine their differences it is hard not to conclude there is greater meaning to the irony of them dying in the line of duty on the same day. Together they represented so many aspects of our communities and were role models for two generations.

Corrections Officer Britney Meux

Deputy Sheriff Barbara Pill

March 6, 2012

At about 11:15 a.m. on March 6, 2012, Deputy Sheriff Barbara Pill, of the Brevard County Sheriff's Office in Florida, made a traffic stop of a vehicle involved in the theft of property from a local hotel. Deputy Pill attempted to order the driver from the car but he opened fire on her striking her multiple times and killing her. At 7:00 p.m. on the same date, Corrections Officer Britney Meux, of the Lake County Sheriff's Department in Indiana,  was struck by a hit and run driver while jogging with three other officers. All four were struck by the vehicle but Meux was killed instantly. The other three officers survived.

Deputy Pill was a 53 year old caucasion woman with 30 years of law enforcement experience. Officer Meux was a 25 year old African American woman with 3 years of service. She also had previously served in the United States Marine Corps. Deputy Pill was survived by her husband and two sons, both of whom are also police officers. Officer Meux left an infant daughter behind. One woman struck down near the end of a lifetime of public service in law enforcement; the other struck down at the beginning of a promising career.

Act of Kindness/Remembrance:

This blog is dedicated to remembering and/or honoring Police Officers and Service Members who have experienced great personal sacrifice and often given their lives in the performance of their duty. It is our mission to conduct an "act of kindness" in memory or in honor of these people in order that they continue to be remembered and that their actions and legacies continue to inspire people to do good deeds.

Deputy Pill was strongly involved with Camp Chance, which "provides a fun and educational environment for at risk children including those who have been abused, abandoned or neglected or have parents who are in jail or prison." The camp relies on law enforcement personnel to mentor the children and fosters a trusting relationship between the officers and children. Learn more about Camp Chance here.

Officer Meux, who was voted 'Best Personality" in high school, was known for her "infectious smile." I found this testament to the kind of person she was on an online obituary reflection page: "I remember her as in 2009 I was an inmate and she gave me a bag of sandwiches because I told her I was starving." One of the greatest compliments we can have in law enforcement is the respect of those we encounter on the other side of the law.

Among Officer Meux's hobbies was photography, which she loved. In honor of Deputy Pill and Officer Meux, we are donating a digital camera to Camp Chance in the hopes that its use will help their memories live on and inspire other good deeds.

#8: Honoring Ernest May: First Officer Killed in the Line of Duty- Las Vegas PD

  

Officer Ernest May

     This week I traveled to Las Vegas to attend a conference on Gangs and Undercover Narcotics Investigations (and yes, I did attend some of the class while I was there). I wanted to take the opportunity to honor an officer from that part of the country since I do not get there very often. While doing my research to find a deserving officer I came upon the story of Officer Ernest May; the first member of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to pay the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

     Ernest May possessed the essential qualities that every law enforcement officer should have; a strong work ethic, compassion, courage, and the will to never give up. His father died when he was a young boy so Ernest went to work for the Pacific Railroad Company to help his mother provide for the family. After getting married in 1917 Ernest joined the police department while continuing to work for the railroad company after working his way up the ladder and becoming an engineer. 

     In 1929 Officer May was shot in the arm while apprehending four burglary suspects. He recovered from this incident and went back to work for the police department. As this time was during the Great Depression,   Officer May and his family struggled financially, like most others. However, Officer May was known for giving his last five dollars to hobo's before running them out of town in the performance of his duty.

     On June 8, 1933, Officer May was shot and killed while responding to a shooting call at a local hotel. Witness testimony and a recreation of the crime scene determined that Officer May was ambushed by the suspect as he got out of his police car at the hotel. However, before succumbing to his mortal wound Officer May returned fire at the suspect striking him four times and killing him. Although Officer May died in this incident, his "never give up" attitude is one that every officer should have instilled in them in the police academy. Officer May was 38 years old and was survived by his wife and seven young children.

     There is an elementary school in Las Vegas named in honor of Officer May. Much of the historical information about Officer May in this entry was obtained from the Ernest J. May Elementary School website. 

It made me wonder if the young children who attend this school everyday are aware of the heroic figure their school is named after, or after all these years since Officer May died is it just a name of a building to them. This week was Nevada Reading Week for the Nevada school system. This is a yearly program that promotes reading for children through various creative programs and activities. We purchased a box full of new children's books with police and firefighter related themes and donated them to Ernest J. May Elementary and requested that the children be reminded of Officer May's story. Hopefully, the books will inspire a few kids to become police officers someday!

#7: Honoring a Pearl Harbor Survivor

Robert Van Druff

Last week I had the privilege of spending some time with Mr. and Mrs. Robert Van Druff at their home in Brookeville, MD. Recently, while speaking to someone about our 52 Acts of Kindness campaign, it was brought to my attention that Mr. Van Druff who is a member of my community is one of the last remaining Pearl Harbor survivors. What an honor it was to meet with the Van Druff's and listen to them recount their experiences during WWII. After surviving the attack at Pearl Harbor, Mr. Van Druff was part of the U.S. military operation that fought the Japanese across the Pacific, "One island at a time." Mr. Van Druff would ultimately serve 22 years in the Navy, also seeing extensive combat in the Korean War. This article contains Mr. Van Druff's first hand account of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

There is a beautiful painting hanging in the living room of the Van Druff's home of Pearl Harbor the morning of December 7, 1941, just before the attack. It was painted by a friend of Mr. Van Druff and clearly is very meaningful to them. It was a highlight of my experience to have Mr. Van Druff share the story behind the painting with me and narrate the scene to me, including identifying the ship that he was on during the attack. As a person with a strong interest in American history, what an experience this was to have an opportunity to speak with someone who lived through one of the most significant days in our history. In Tom Brokaw's book, The Greatest Generation, he poignantly describes how the WWII generation literally saved the world and freedom as we know it, yet they are a very humble and unassuming group. The Van Druff's are no different. They are obviously very proud of their accomplishments but also very humble. I cannot strongly encourage people enough to seek out members of this generation and spend some time with them before it is too late. We can all stand to learn from their example of service and commitment as well as their sense of community. In this technology age we live in we have lost a lot of those core values the Greatest Generation lived by and we should seize the opportunity to re-instill them in ourselves and our children while we have the chance.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Van Druff are 93 years old and have been married for over 70 years. It seemed appropriate to honor them last week (Valentines Day) to also celebrate their long lasting relationship. I brought Mrs. Van Druff a bouquet of flowers and Mr. Van Druff a challenge coin from my agency as a small token of appreciation for his service. I also prepared them a home cooked meal for dinner as it is difficult for them to cook. My small act of kindness was overshadowed by the appreciation I had for being able to spend time with such gracious and interesting people. I hope to take Mrs. Van Druff up on her offer to stop by any time to visit and continue to get to know them better.

If you would like to send the Van Druff's a card expressing appreciation and support I know it would mean a lot to them. You may send it to:

Mark Janney
Special Investigations Division
100 Edison Park Dr.
Gaithersburg, MD 20878



Mr. Van Druff placing a wreath at a monument honoring Marylanders killed during the Pearl Harbor attack.



Pearl Harbor during the attack

#6 Act of Kindness and Remembrance: Sgt. Bruce Prothero

Sgt. Bruce Prothero

Baltimore County Police Department

This weeks entry is written by Lee Wiley, Signal 13 Training Instructor

Sometimes our lives are changed by a seemingly insignificant moment. For me, this moment was brief and came when I was a senior in college.  I had no clear goals in life or any role models.  My friend and former roommate, Bruce Prothero, had just completed the Baltimore County Police Academy and shared his experiences as a Cadet and young police officer.  It wasn't necessarily the words, as it was the excitement in between the words that was enticing.  For a senior with no clear path, a light came on.  After 25 years in law enforcement, this light has never burned out.  

      But for my friend, and now role model, his light burned out on February 7, 2000.  The circumstances surrounding his death are typical in our line of work.  While moonlighting at a jewelry store to make extra money to support his wife and 5 children, gunmen entered the store.  As the robbers left, Bruce pursued them and was gunned down in the parking lot.

      This is not a story about Bruce’s death though, but rather about his life and how it affected me.  Engraved on the national law enforcement memorial in Washington D.C. are the words, “it was not how these officers died that made them heroes; it is how they lived.

      Bruce lived life to the fullest and included everyone.  He convinced me to transfer to Towson State my junior year and live with him while he finished his college career.  We got jobs together working on the event staff at the Towson Center.   While working late one night at the Towson Center building a stage for the one hit wonders “The Hooters,” Bruce and I stumbled upon coolers containing steaks for the band.  A large slab of meat was acquired and brought back to our room.  A pair of sunglasses and a fake beard was placed upon the meat and pictures were taken.  This was our first venture into undercover work.  Bruce cut and seasoned the meat and the occupants of the 6^th floor of Tower C at Towson State ate like kings.

       As spring break neared, Bruce began to talk about taking a trip to Daytona Beach.  My first thoughts were how would we get there and where would we stay?  We worked out that we would stay at his uncle’s place, and take my car which Bruce had nicknamed Adam 12.  Adam 12 was a 1980 Ford Fairmount Futura with plaid interior which I thought would never survive the trip.  But Bruce insisted Adam 12 was tough, just like the police officers in the show and it would make it.  And as Bruce, Ann, Amy and I pulled into Daytona it did make it.  

       During this short week, I observed first hand Bruce’s love for Ann, his then girlfriend who eventually became his wife.  What I will always remember is his devotion to her and their 5 children.  But on that spring day with graduation nearing and no clear purpose in sight, it was his excitement that I will remember as he spoke about his police experiences.  Words that spoke of duty, honor and making a difference, however small it may be.  His words shaped me.

        Where do we get husbands, fathers and police officers like Bruce?  Where do people with such compassion, bravery, and unselfishness come from?  Only God knows. But I thank you God.  I thank you for bringing Bruce into my life, and giving me direction and purpose for these last 25 years.   

       Each year on the anniversary of Bruce's death his mother would visit his grave and a memorial in his honor that is located outside the jewelry store where he was killed. She would leave pennies at each location because as a child Bruce collected pennies. For this weeks Act of Kindness/Remembrance, we are collecting pennies that will be donated to the Baltimore County Police Memorial Fund. Among other things, this fund is used to provide scholarships to children of Baltimore County Police Officers who die in the line of duty. Since Bruce's five children are at or near college age now, this seemed like an appropriate thing to do.

     If you would like to make a contribution to the Baltimore County Police Memorial Fund you will find information on how to do so here. If you would like to send Sgt. Prothero's family a letter or card with support and encouragement you can send them to:

Bruce Prothero Family

c/o Detective Lee Wiley 

Special Investigations Division

100 Edison Park Drive

Gaithersburg, MD 20878

#5 Act of Kindness/Remembrance: Capt. David Shultz

Captain David Shultz

   On January 31, 2008, Captain David Shultz, of the Army 82nd Airborne Division, was killed by an enemy mortar while on a tour of duty in Iraq. Captain Shultz was only 25 years old. He was married and his wife, Sabrina, gave birth to their son, Logan, on Fathers day while Captain Shultz was serving his country oversees. He was able to visit his son during December for just a few days before being deployed back to Iraq. Within weeks of this deployment Captain Shultz was killed. His son was just 7 months old at the time. He will grow up never knowing his father.

   Captain Shultz was known for having a generous spirit. While in Iraq he took pleasure in collecting soccer balls and school supplies and delivering them to the children. He organized several shipments of these donations from people in his hometown of Blue Island, Illinois. He said in an email at the time, "Seeing the smiles on the Iraqi children's faces when you bring them the school supplies they need is one of the greatest things I have experienced over here."

   Captain Shultz' father, David, Sr., was a police officer for the Blue Island (Illinois) Police Department. In conducting research for this entry I learned that it is easy to see "the apple did not fall far from the tree." Captain Shultz' father was a dedicated public servant for 30 years. Read this article about a horrifying experience Sgt. Shultz endured; a glimpse of the difficult things police officers endure each day. Sgt. David Shultz was no exception. Here is an example of a heroic act by Sgt. Shultz, in which he pulled a handicapped man from a burning car. Sadly, I have learned that Sgt. Shultz died of cancer at the age of 53 just over a year after his son was killed in Iraq. 

   How blessed we are to have heroes and role models like David Shultz, Sr. and David Shultz, Jr. Their dedication and unselfish service to their community and country should be emulated by all of us, and their sacrifices should never be forgotten.

   This week I honored Captain Shultz on the five year anniversary of his death. I participated in the Armed Services Blood Program by donating platelets. A very small contribution to make in support of our troops by providing a critical and much needed resource that may save their lives. My donation was made at the ASBP location in the Navy Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. It was the first time I had ever donated platelets and I was a bit apprehensive, not knowing what to expect. But my fears were quickly alleviated by the staff who could not have been more friendly and appreciative. If you have donated blood but never platelets the only significant difference is that platelet donation takes longer (about two hours). I am proud to report that I was told my donation was enough to supply two patients! I strongly encourage everyone to participate in this vital program and support the troops! You can learn more about the program and schedule an appointment at their website here. 

  In addition to donating platelets in honor of Captain Shultz, and in keeping with his spirit of giving to children, we purchased a few basketballs and some school supplies and donated them to the Tree House (Child Assessment Center of Montgomery County, MD). The Tree House provides critical and comprehensive services to abused children. You can learn more about the Tree House here.

  Finally, I would ask all of you to take a minute to read this article for more details about Captain Shultz and his sacrifice. I hope this blog continues to inspire people to commit some act of kindness, however small, in honor of a police officer or service member. There are so many compelling stories like the Shultz family. So many have made the ultimate sacrifice and must be remembered. It is important for the world to know that five years after Captain Shultz was killed his legacy is still very much alive as he inspired a perfect stranger to donate platelets to help save the lives of fellow service members and to follow his lead of providing sporting equipment and school supplies to children in need. 





#4Act of Kindness: Honoring a Marine in honor of a Marine

18 years ago today my life was dramatically changed. My partner, FTO and friend, Officer Jim Walch, died in the line of duty while rushing to assist me in the pursuit of a stolen vehicle. I have written in detail about this event previously in this blog and I hope you will read that entry here.


Officer Jim Walch

I am always very sad on this date as the events of that night run through my mind and I relive the horrific sights and sounds I experienced. But this year I decided to take a new approach and celebrate Jim and try to make the anniversary a more positive experience. Jim was a big, burly Marine and like most Marines he was damn proud of it! The Marines are a special brand of people and once you become one it will always be part of who you are. For this weeks act of kindness and remembrance I thought it would be great to find a deserving Marine to honor in honor of Jim. This led me to the story of First Lt. Timothy Fallon.


1st. Lt. Timothy Fallon, USMC

Timothy Fallon was a platoon leader of Fox Company for the Marines serving in the Marjah Helmand Province of Afghanistan. This area was one of the most active areas of combat and Lt. Fallon and his platoon saw plenty of it. On November 18, 2010, Lt. Fallon was the victim of an improvised explosive device (IED) and lost his vision as a result. At age 24 Lt. Fallon's life was dramatically changed. learn more about his story here. Like a true Marine, Lt. Fallon continues to strive to live life to its fullest and overcome adversity. Lt. Fallon has a passion for woodworking and is learning to pursue this passion  without his sight. My research on Lt. Fallon revealed a website looking for donations of new tools so that Lt. Fallon can establish a wood shop to practice his craft. This week I purchased a brand new jig saw for Lt. Fallon to help him reach this goal and continue to use his talents and creativity. I dropped by his house and left the saw with his wife. As I drove away I felt as if there was a big burly Marine sitting next to me with a smile on his face! Please take a moment to visit the Jim Walch memorial page and leave a reflection for him on this anniversary of his death.

If you would like to donate to the wood shop of Lt. Fallon you can find a list of tools he needs and further information about how to donate here.

#3 Act of Kindness/Remembrance: Honoring Hero Ryan Rawl

                                                      
                                                               Deputy Ryan Rawl

This week I traveled to Columbia, South Carolina to provide training to Law Enforcement Officers and members of the South Carolina Attorney General's Office. Therefore, I focused my search for someone to honor with an act of kindness to that area. I am so glad I did because I discovered someone most deserving. Ryan Rawl was a Deputy with the Richland County Sheriff's Department. His last assignment with the Sheriff's Department was as a school resource officer where he was a popular role model to the children. But, Deputy Rawl was so much more than this. He was also a standout student athlete in high school, a graduate of the Citadel and a First Lieutenant with the South Carolina Army National Guard.  He was an uncle, a brother, a son, a husband and a father. On June 20, 2012, First Lt. Rawl along with two other members of the S.C. Army National Guard were killed by a suicide bomber while serving a tour of duty in Afghanistan. Ryan left behind a wife and two children (ages 2 and 4).

By all accounts Ryan was the kind of leader and role model we should all aspire to be. While at the Citadel he received an award for outstanding service on the Honor Court and led classmates in Bible study. After graduating from the Citadel Ryan joined the Richland County S.O. and won awards for Deputy of the Quarter and Deputy of the Year. During his service with the Army National Guard Ryan was a platoon leader and earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart among many other commendations.


                                                      

Each time I hear about the loss of a person with the character and leadership qualities of Ryan Rawl I can't help but wonder how the world ever recovers from the loss of someone like this at such a young age. I have to believe the only way it does is for us all to become more like him and carry on the good work Ryan did in this world in the short time he was here.

In honor of Ryan we have made a donation to the Richland County Sheriff's Foundation. The Sheriff's Foundation was formed with the objective of purchasing bullet proof vests for unprotected officers in the field. The Foundation has also been instrumental in raising funds to purchase other needed equipment for the Sheriff's Department. With our donation we are keeping Ryan's spirit alive as it was the honorable life that he led that inspired our act of kindness. And wouldn't it be meaningful if our donation in Ryan's honor were used to purchase equipment that may one day save the life of another officer.

Please take a minute to visit the Richland County Sheriff's Foundation site and learn more about the great work they do to support their officers. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation you may send them to:

Richland County Sheriff's Foundation
PO Box 1182
Columbia, South Carolina 29202

Or, as always, I encourage you to take a moment and send a card or letter of appreciation and support to Ryans' family. You may send them to:

Family of Ryan Rawl
C/O Richland County Sheriff's Office
5623 Two Notch Road
Columbia, South Carolina 29223




Mourners along the funeral procession of Ryan Rawl (photos by Tiffany Barkley)