Honor the Fallen

photo by Scott Manchester for the Press Democrat

Last week, 4 Oakland Police Department officers were killed in the line of duty.  Today, my department, along with the rest of the Sonoma County Law Enforcement agencies, formed a procession* to attend the funeral.  Police Officers from as far away as London are in attendance today.  The Oracle Arena is a major event and sporting arena seating over 19,000.  Today – it is full with these officers, civilians & citizens to the point of overflowing into a nearby outdoor stadium. 

A police funeral is an awe-inspiring, deeply moving and gut-wrenching experience.  It is something that I wish every citizen, especially those against police, would experience for themselves.  To understand.  But then that would mean more funerals and that isn’t worth the enlightenment.  There was a demonstration in San Francisco trying to garner support and sympathy (wtf???)  for the criminal that killed these officers.  I cannot understand that.  What did this criminal (who also died in this incident) ever do for his community beside, among other violent crime,  rape a 12 year old girl?  Compare that to the years of service to the community these fallen officers gave and their ultimate sacrifice?  Sometimes, really, there are just rotten people out there who do not deserve our sympathy.   That ridiculous demonstration only had about 60 thoroughly misguided participants. I’m comforted that the over 20,000 people present this morning are sending the message that they understand.  And are grieving for these 4 officers and their families, as well as the loss to their community, a community that extends far and wide across the nation and across the pond.

I didn’t know these officers.  But they are a part of an extended family.  Their deaths resonate in the hearts of everyone in law enforcement because it could have been my friends. It could have been my co-workers.   I grieve for the possibility that this could happen to my agency and I grieve for those whose worst nightmare has come for them. 

So today, I ask that you think of what our police officers and their families do every day to ensure the safety of the community you live and work in. 

Remember the fallen Oakland PD Officers

*The link updated the picture from the police car procession to officers walking into the oracle- and those guys are my actual friends and co-workers.  Those officers are the good guys.