Officer Down!

Officer Down!

P

erhaps two of the most terrifying words to a Police Department are “Officer Down!” And yet, that is precisely what happened to the Lakewood Police Dept. in Lakewood Co. on Friday, November 9, 2012

A call went out of reported shots being fired in the wee hours of Friday morning and several jurisdictions responded. Later, it was revealed that a Lakewood Police veteran, of six years, had been felled, by accident, by friendly fire. The tragedy will be under investigation for some time.

Our hearts are broken by the news and it is vital that we stay in prayer for:

1.    The fallen officer’s wife and children and extended family.

2.    For the officer, who accidently fired upon his friend, and his family, his pain has to be enormous and will endure for a lifetime.

3.    For the Lakewood Police Department family. Yes family, all who serve to protect its citizens unite together as a family unit, sharing experiences and their families unite together. Each one wonders if they will get the next bullet. How would you like to live with that thought?

4.    Finally, for all Law Enforcement officers everywhere as they too share a common bond of placing their lives on the line every day and every night for you and I to have a good night’s sleep.

Emotional Support:

The closer to the tragedy one is the more severe the emotional rollercoaster ride will be. For the fallen officer’s immediate family the trauma will be the greatest. For his friend and fellow officer, who fired the fatal shot/s the emotional trauma will linger for years, he will never forget. For those who were off duty that night is the wonder and anxiety of asking “Why wasn’t I the one” or “Why was I off that night.”For the Lakewood Police family all will be on “high alert” for the undetermined future. For all, the emotional rollercoaster will continue to be up and down for years to come. The “trickle down” effect will be felt for generations as the children of the “fallen” will grow up not knowing the fullness of their father’s love.

Emotions have an uncanny way of sneaking up on us. Just when you think you’re doing fine you may be blindsided by anger, depression, anxiety or any of the emotions associated with loss, trauma, and tragedy. These emotions may recur numerous times in the future. If proper healing, expression of feelings and emotions is allowed the emotional rollercoaster will eventually subside and eventually stop. If healing and expression is disallowed, the prognosis can have devastating effects for a lifetime.

PTSD—Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome

PTSD was first detected in war veterans, who experienced the horrific atrocities of war. Many were subjected to numerous deployments into, yet another war zone, without the proper rest and treatment. They are taught to “suck-it-up”, “man-up”, or “toughen up”, very similar to our men and women behind the badge. But the human psychic can only take so much before it breaks. That’s what they are finally discovering with our war veterans. How much more those who wear the badge?

Our men and women in blue need time to safely express their personal feelings and experiences in a safe environment. They need support groups where they can safely express themselves. Their wives, especially, also need support groups to express their anxieties as spouses of Law Enforcement Peace Officers.

Support I say, not pity or disdain. They are doing a great service for you and I each day they put on the uniform, no matter the color of the fabric, no matter the color of their skin.

What can we do as Citizens?

The first thing we, as citizens, need to do is to recognize the enormous job these men and women do for you and I every day. I recommend a few things to raise your awareness, I’m sure you can think of others:

1.    Ride along with an officer on his or her shift, also called an Observation Ride. Believe me, this is a real eye opener!

2.    Get involved in a Neighborhood Watch supported by your local precinct.

3.    Most precincts have a Commander’s Meeting in which Neighborhood Watch Captains attend and bring their periodic reports.

4.    Pray daily for the men and women who wear the badge. They deserve and need your support.

Higher Powers

I have heard some pundits declare “Live by the sword, die by the sword”, referring to those who wear the badge (an apparent paraphrase from Matthew 26:52 when Jesus told Peter to put up his sword after cutting of the ear of the servant of the high priest). However, the proper passage is found in Romans 13:1-4 when Paul writes to the church at Rome to subject themselves to the higher power or authority. In Paul’s admonition he was referring to all in positions of authority (that includes law enforcement) that we should submit to them because they are ordained by God. If we refuse, we are in defiance of the Almighty God himself.

Therefore Law Enforcement officers are God’s ministers to us for good; that is unless we rebel against them.

I am the very proud father of a six year veteran of the Lakewood Police force, and have several family members, in-laws, who are either currently wearing the badge or have worn it in the past. My son is a close friend of both the aforementioned officers, of whom I’ve intentionally withheld their identities.

May God Bless those who proudly wear the badge.