Walking the Beat
Written By:
Proud Daughter Of Retired Police Sergeant
While I was growing up, watching Daddy leave for work each day, was the hardest thing I ever did. Five days a week, he would dress in his uniform, carefully pin on his badge, check his gun, then place his handcuffs and nightstick in his belt. He would hug and kiss his wife and five children, then walk out the door of our home, climb into his Ford pickup truck and drive downtown. Daddy was a dedicated police officer. He proudly and respectfully wore his badge 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. He served on the Charlotte police force for 25 years.
Daddy was an officer of many different trades. Whether he was patrolling, walking the beat, working in the crime lab, on emergency standby as head of the bomb squad and the police departments' diving recovery team, filling out the daily paperwork, teaching recruits at the Academy, or teaching Female Security classes to the public, he always gave it his all.
Daddy loved being a police officer. Protecting his family and the many citizens of Charlotte was of the utmost importance to him. He took pride in all of his duties and responsibilities as a police officer. He valued his positions, which he acquired through years of experience as a law enforcement officer. He held them with the greatest of honor. Daddy always walked straight and tall, with his head held high, he was so proud to be wearing his uniform and displaying his badge.
Daddy's career in law enforcement was both rewarding and tough. He was involved in chases, on foot and in cars, scuffles with the bad guys, and during his traffic duty, a few people actually tried to run him over with their cars. Daddy knew there were many risks involved in being a policeman, so did our family. We lived each day as it came, trying not to take any of it for granted. We started each day and ended each night with a hug, a kiss and "I love you". When Daddy left for work, we would say, "See you later", instead of, "Goodbye". Thanks to God, Daddy always came home to us after his shift was over. To my knowledge, he was never seriously injured in the line of duty. I am so very grateful for that.
Unfortunately, not all law enforcement officers and their families are as fortunate as we were. Today, thousands of law enforcement families are grieving over the loss of two of Charlotte's Finest. On Saturday, March 31, 2007, while answering a routine call for a domestic dispute, police officers Sean Clark and Jeffery Shelton were shot and killed in the line of duty. Although I didn't know the officers or their families, I share their loss and I feel their pain.
Several people have asked me why the deaths of these two officers is affecting me in such an emotional way? How do I begin to explain it? For those who have never had a loved one working in law enforcement, I guess it is hard to comprehend the invisible bond that is woven between law enforcement families. They don't understand how I don't have to personally know an officer to be affected by such a tragedy. They don't understand that if you have grown up in a law enforcement family, the BLUE gets in your veins, and stays there, forever. By the BLUE in your veins, I mean your love for all law enforcement officials and in being part of the entire law enforcement family.
Please show your condolences and support, for these two heroic officers, who lost their lives while protecting others. In memory of our fallen officers, if you have a black or dark blue ribbon, please pin it on the lapel of your jacket, shirt or tie. You could also attach a black or dark blue ribbon to the antennae of your car and burn your headlights when driving. Please pray for their families, friends, and their fellow officers. Please continue to pray for all law enforcement officers, especially the ones that are trying to remain focused on their duties, while painstakingly investigating this senseless tragedy, that has taken the lives of two of their brothers. Please pray that all of the suspects involved in the deaths of Officer Sean Clark and Officer Jeffery Shelton, are apprehended and that justice is served.
Thousands of law enforcement officers are putting their lives on the line everyday, "walking the beat". They are dedicated to serving and protecting citizens and communities, from robbery, drugs, violence, and more. When you are driving on the road, please move over when you see police lights or hear sirens. Always remember that there is at least one officer in that patrol car, risking his or her life, to help someone in an emergency situation. That officer is someone's son or daughter, husband or wife, maybe even a mother or a father, and when their workday is done, they want to return home safely to their loved ones too.
One more very important thing... the next time you see a police officer, if possible, please say, "Thank you!"
It's all heart and dedication ... the amount of pay they receive for risking their lives for us, is not even close to being worth it.
May God hold us in His hands and carry us through our most difficult times of need.
In His love,
Robin Toomey Souza
April 03, 2007
