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End of Watch
14 years ago
General
I attended a police funeral today. Even if you don't know the fallen officer personally, these are very moving. There were hundreds of police cruisers from departments all over the state, neiboring states, and even from as far away as Memphis Tennessee and Chicago Illinois in a funeral procession that stretched for miles. All along the route, thousands of people stood and watched, waving American flags, holding signs and the firefighters, fellow LEO's and military saluting. It looked as if the entire city that the procession went through was out on the sidewalks paying respects. At the gates of the cemetery, two ladder trucks, (fire engines with ladders,) were parked with their ladders extended and crossed, and a huge American flag hung between them.
Hundreds of police officers stood in formation at the grave site as a horse drawn wagon with the flag draped casket wheeled to our fallen brother's final resting place. I managed to compose myself and not break down through the service, until I heard the county radios tone.
“822 safety check.”
Silence.
“822 safety check.”
Silence.
“822 safety check.”
Silence …
“822 has failed to answer his safety checks.”
By this time, there isn't a dry eye that I can see in the formation, myself included. The dispatcher relayed to the county that our friend had been laid to rest; that he was gone but not forgotten. Then the final call ended with,
“822 is End of Watch. We will carry on the watch.”
The twenty one gun salute, Taps, and an absolutely stunning Amazing Grace by the drum and pipe core. This is the second Line of Duty death I've personally experienced in the last four years as a police officer. One is too many.
I didn't know him very well. I had only met him twice. The first one I knew much better, and would have called him a personal friend … but that grief and mourning feels the same. Law Enforcement Officers share a bond that very few will ever understand. Police work isn't a job, it's a lifestyle. You don't put on a badge and serve the community every day for the paycheck, or the glory, or even the authority that the position brings. You do it because it's your passion. At the end of all things, when God calls us home, that is truly the only End of Watch for a Police Officer.
“The lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want,
His comforting hand reduces fear to naught;
He walks me through the streets of crime,
But he gives me courage and peace of mind.
He leads me by still waters in the path I trod,
And he says in Roman’s I’m a “minister of god”,
He leads me in righteousness as he restores my soul,
For his name’s sake he keeps me whole.
When I walk through death’s valley,
Right up to the door,
I will fear no evil,
For he comforts me more;
For thou art with me every step of the way,
As thy rod and thy staff protect me each day.
He prepares a table,
Especially for me,
As I work daily among life’s enemies;
He gives me authority to uphold the law,
And he anoints my position in the midst of it all.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me,
Each day of my life through eternity;
As I long to hear him say ‘well done…”
When I lay down my life, my badge, and my gun.”
- Unknown Author
Rest in Peace brother, I will see you again when I am called home.
Hundreds of police officers stood in formation at the grave site as a horse drawn wagon with the flag draped casket wheeled to our fallen brother's final resting place. I managed to compose myself and not break down through the service, until I heard the county radios tone.
“822 safety check.”
Silence.
“822 safety check.”
Silence.
“822 safety check.”
Silence …
“822 has failed to answer his safety checks.”
By this time, there isn't a dry eye that I can see in the formation, myself included. The dispatcher relayed to the county that our friend had been laid to rest; that he was gone but not forgotten. Then the final call ended with,
“822 is End of Watch. We will carry on the watch.”
The twenty one gun salute, Taps, and an absolutely stunning Amazing Grace by the drum and pipe core. This is the second Line of Duty death I've personally experienced in the last four years as a police officer. One is too many.
I didn't know him very well. I had only met him twice. The first one I knew much better, and would have called him a personal friend … but that grief and mourning feels the same. Law Enforcement Officers share a bond that very few will ever understand. Police work isn't a job, it's a lifestyle. You don't put on a badge and serve the community every day for the paycheck, or the glory, or even the authority that the position brings. You do it because it's your passion. At the end of all things, when God calls us home, that is truly the only End of Watch for a Police Officer.
“The lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want,
His comforting hand reduces fear to naught;
He walks me through the streets of crime,
But he gives me courage and peace of mind.
He leads me by still waters in the path I trod,
And he says in Roman’s I’m a “minister of god”,
He leads me in righteousness as he restores my soul,
For his name’s sake he keeps me whole.
When I walk through death’s valley,
Right up to the door,
I will fear no evil,
For he comforts me more;
For thou art with me every step of the way,
As thy rod and thy staff protect me each day.
He prepares a table,
Especially for me,
As I work daily among life’s enemies;
He gives me authority to uphold the law,
And he anoints my position in the midst of it all.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me,
Each day of my life through eternity;
As I long to hear him say ‘well done…”
When I lay down my life, my badge, and my gun.”
- Unknown Author
Rest in Peace brother, I will see you again when I am called home.
...
...A moment of silent prayer for your fellow officer, as well as for you. Though I do not, and cannot, understand what you could be thinking or feeling or going through, you have my deepest condolences on the loss being experienced.