January 8, 2009

Even though I know we all can't be fans of the "fuzz" I wanted to share this with everybody...

I’m just getting back to my office from visiting Dallas Police Headquarters, and I have never been so at a loss for words. On Tuesday evening January 6, 2008, the City of Dallas suffered a tremendous loss. For those of you that are not aware, an 18 yr. veteran of the Dallas Police Department was gunned down as he served a warrant. Parked directly in front of DPD Headquarters is Senior Cpl. Norman Smith’s squad car covered in flowers. As I reached to place a rather small arrangement of flowers that I purchased at The Dallas Farmers Market, I was bombarded with emotions. I didn’t know what to think, at first when I heard about this incident I was deeply saddened, but to actually stop by there this afternoon to pay my respects in such a small way really made me think… Why do I have to wait until something so tragic happens to show my respects. Everyday these brave men and women risk their lives and for what, to get shot down by the very people they have sworn to protect? Think about it, we get pulled over for speeding, we get a ticket, and for some strange reason they are the enemy, WE break the law by speeding and all of a sudden they are “out to get us” or “meeting their quota” , where is that respect then. I look at it this way, they potentially saved my life and yours… what if they let me slide, and I continue on my merry way speeding, and about a mile down the road I hit a car, or even worse hit YOU. We don’t often think about stuff like that happening to us, but I am 100% sure that Senior Cpl Norman Smith, who was finishing up a 12-hr shift, and just ONE day from his 18 yr. Anniversary with the force, didn’t think that knocking on THAT door would be his last… As I stood their staring at the squad car and the two dozen or so officers standing around crying, with uncontrollable tears running down MY face, it hit me, I mean it really hit me. My deepest heart felt condolences go out to Senior Cpl Norman Smith’s wife (who is also a DPD officer) his children, and his fraternal family of police officers. I approached the officers and hugged and thanked them for doing a job, that let’s face it, a majority of us would NEVER, EVER consider doing. It’s the very least I could have done to show them that their efforts aren’t going unrecognized. As I drove back to my office a song came on the radio that just made me loose it completely, I had to pull over “…Can you believe when all hope seems gone; When your mother and father cant keep you safe from harm; Can you forgive in your heart; Can you ask for forgiveness; When nobody else believes, can you believe; Can you believe in yourself; But can you believe now; When you’re on your knees now; Begging and pleading now; Can you believe; When all that you’ve got is doubt; And no one to pull you out; When your heart is slowing down; Can you believe…” I’d like to believe that things happen for a reason, but try telling that to Senior Cpl. Norman Smith family…somehow it just wouldn’t make sense. But when you reflect on how somebody can be crazy enough to shoot down an officer of the law, who day in and day out, struggles to protect US from people just like that, it hits home… it just as easy could have been me or you that this guy could have killed, but an officer of the law who took an oath to protect us from such harm risked HIS life for my family, your family…his family. Once I regained my composure I continued driving, passing right by City Hall, and felt compelled to stop by the “Fallen Officers Memorial” I pulled over, looked up at ALL the badge numbers of pass fallen officers and realized that there will another added… Senior Cpl Norman Smith was at the end of a 12-hr shift, on his way home to his family, hours from his 18 yr. anniversary with the force, but never made it…

There will be a candle light vigil tonight @ 7:30 in front of DPD Headquarters, I strongly encourage you to go down there and show Senior Cpl Norman Smith’s families both paternal and fraternal, that we support them in their time of need.

If you’re not able to make it, on your way home if you find yourself sitting in traffic or at a stop light, and you look over to see a police squad car next to you, roll down your window and thank them for what they do for us.

 

what people don't understand is that at the end of the day, they're a family man/woman/husband/wife/son/daughter/grandparent/grandchild just like the rest of us. in all aspects of the spectrum, we all are alike in some way, shape or form, regardless of what people may say or think.

it is true that we don't realize sometimes how precious a life may be until it's gone.. and in all regards to basically everything else that falls into the same literal sense. whether it be a gf or a dog or a ps3 or a car. we don't realize when it's gone.. or dont even think about it being gone when it's still physically here.

my condolences go out to you, even from cali, my heart mourns for all those that feel as if it's too late to say goodbye or too late to say the things that you need to say, or should have said. but even though u may not have known them personally, or got to know them as much as you wanted to, or even knew them like the back of your hand. one day we'll all hopefully be in the same place all over again. to be able to greet and hug and shake the hand of someone you admire, someone that changed your life, or even someone that you despised, but hoped would understand.

hopefully this is a change in the atmosphere as far as how you take a look at someones life in general. that it definitely isn't just another day... but it's another day of life. something that we have truly been blessed with. and I thank God everyday that i have been so fortunate to have that privilege, because many people were not.

I will keep you in my prayers, as well as the family, and the forces along side with them.