fallen lakewood officers

it was not my intention to wait so long to blog….

it was also not my intention to start the new blog regimen with such news…but i just can not let it go by without adding my thoughts on a recent tragedy in our neighboring city.

in our city of tacoma, we rest next to the small city of lakewood.  last week my husband and i watched in horror as the news reported that four police officers had been shot and killed in a surprise attack while preparing for their shift at a local coffee shop.

while i am very emotional, and have genuine pain for the loss that these three men and a woman’s family and friends will go through, i am not one who easily gets involved with a strangers private grief when showcased on the news.  somehow i have found it easy to detach.  this time…it was different.  my heart ached, and this horrific loss was always in the back of my head during the passing week.

maybe it was because each of these officers was a parent.  maybe because each one left immediate family to grieve.   maybe somehow, i had forgotten that our law enforcement are real people.  they have families, they have likes and dislikes, they have passions, and they will be truly missed loved ones….

or…maybe it was because my own husband served as an officer, serves in the military, andis a fire fighter…this attack was brutal, intentional, and random…and it could have happened to any service man or woman…

completely moved by the outpouring of love in our community, i loaded the kids up and we headed to stand along the road to pay silent tribute in some way to these heros’ procession.

i was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of uniformed personnel that lined the streets.

a 10 mile procession, over 4000 vehicles…and that does not even include the countless parades of service men and women outside, in the streets, in cars, and even miles away slowly moving toward the funeral…it was truly one of the most remarkable things i have ever witnessed. they flooded in from all streets and side streets, as far as i could see were civilians and service men and women from all over the country.

it was impossible for me to park…so i got as close as i could, and when the hearses and the family members past, i stepped out of my car…right there in the middle of the street, along with others…and with my hand on my heart, i silently prayed for them.

we came home, and watched the service for th next few hours.  it was heartfelt and traditional.  it honored them well.

what made it home more than anything is when they ceremonially had dispatch call the officers… there was silence…dispatch then said, “gone, but not forgotten.”

like i said…i am not one who gets wrapped up when others need private time to grieve…but i could not help thinking, as a mother when i get to i hug my sweet girls, or when my husband gets off duty and strolls into the house to kiss me and give the girls a giant hug…and when i get to hold him after a long 24 hour shift…at that same moment…four families just like mine, no longer get those tender moments.

to these families…you have suffered the ultimate sacrifice…you are in my heart and prayers.

to see more photos, go here.

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