LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MEMORIAL SERVICE (Originally published on May9, 2011)

(Photograph by Rene Pimentel , Rene Pimentel Photography, Member Miami Police Department)


Each year, during the month of May Law Enforcement/ Peace Officer Memorial Services are held throughout Florida and the nation. These services pay tribute to, and honor those law enforcement officers that have paid the ultimate sacrifice; they’ve died in the line of duty. These services are also designed to assist the families of those that have given their lives.

In Florida the memorial service is actually a two day event, Sunday and Monday, and it honors municipal, county, state, and federal law enforcement officers serving in Florida that have died in the line of duty. Also recognized during these services are those that have been disabled and military personnel that have died serving our country (we also honor those that have been discovered from past years that had not been recognized).

On Sunday there is a lunch and meetings for the survivors where information is shared, including information about COPS (Concerns of Police Survivors). On Sunday evening there is a candlelight vigil at the capital courtyard, and on Monday there is the ceremony at the state capital. These days are also a time for the families to see that they are truly not alone. There are survivors there from previous years, they meet, get to know each other, and talk. The new survivors get to see that they are not alone and they get to be with others that have gone through what they are experiencing. They get to see that there truly is someone that knows what they are going through.

This is also a time for officers to come together, to honor coworkers and friends that have died. In law enforcement we are good at helping citizens deal with tragedy, but we are poor at dealing with our own loss. This is an opportunity for those of us that have experienced the death of a friend in the line of duty to meet with and support those that are experiencing such a death for the first time. I first experienced such a loss four days after graduating from the police academy. Back then (1981) cops didn’t show emotion; cops weren’t impacted by the death or murder of a friend/ coworker. If you showed any emotions you were no good for law enforcement and some senior officers would do what they could to force, or convince you to quit. We know now that this is not the case, it is ok to be impacted, to be sad, it is how you deal with it that is important. By our coming together we show those officers that they are not alone, that there is someone that they can talk with.

Another thing that those of us can do for officers that are experiencing such a loss for the first time is help them also deal with the family. Often time’s officers are uncomfortable being with the family because they don’t know what to say, or how to ease the family’s suffering. I tell them that they don’t have to say a word; just being there lets the families know that they are not alone.
 
People often ask why these memorials take place during the month of May. This is done to coincide around the National Peace Officers Memorial Service. On May 4, 1963 President John F. Kennedy signed Proclamation 3537 Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week. This proclamation designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week of May 15th as Police Week

I have attended many such services and also had the honor to be the Master of Ceremonies for both State and Miami Police services. As I’ve watched the families I took a moment to pray to God to look after them, to give them the strength to get through the next two weeks and to go on with their lives (The Florida LEO Memorial Service is currently held the first weekend in May, 2 weeks before the National Service in Washington, D.C.). I have dealt with families whose lives basically stopped; they chose to live in the past. I also gave thanks that I made it through another year of my career and my family not having to go through what these families were experiencing. There were times that my mother felt guilty, but whenever an officer died in the line of duty she prayed for the family, and also gave thanks that it wasn’t me. My mother was a social worker and always made herself available to the families. Mama Mann (as some of my partners and crews came to know her) made herself available because it was what one person did for another, and because she remembered the feelings she experienced as a detective met her at home to inform her that I had been seriously injured, and the ride to the local trauma center in the police car before learning that I was stable and would survive. She wanted to do whatever she could to ease their suffering; it was her way of giving thanks for her son’s good fortune.

Just as when I first wrote about the LEO Memorials in 2009, I know this is going to sound bad, but I do not mean it that way, I mean this in the positive. When I’ve attended the services, as the families passed me I thought of how simple some appeared. I would watch them and remember what made this country great, and had more confidence that America will get through the current economic and geo political mess and be stronger. These families were proud that their loved one had chosen public service over another career that could have been more financially satisfying. Instead of being bitter, they stood tall and proud. Sure that choice was causing them pain now, but still they stood tall.

Each year during this time I remember my friends that died in the line of duty. I also choose to rededicate myself to my chosen profession, and to serving my community.

As you go through your day to day activities I hope you take a moment on May 15th to remember those public servants that have lost their lives serving your/ our community. Also, take a moment to appreciate those in your personal life that you care about, maybe even let them know how you feel about them (believe me I know how hard that is, but try).


The Presidential Proclamation can be found at The American Presidency Project: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=24099

NOTE:
The Fraternal Order of Police, Florida State Lodge sponsors the two day event in Tallahassee each year. It is done to pay tribute to, and honor those that have given their lives in service to their community, and to provide some comfort to the families as they deal with their grief. The Florida State Lodge has formed a Memorial Foundation to help with the financial cost of providing this service. If you are interested in learning more, or may know a business that would like to assist more information is available on the Florida State Lodge’s web site www.floridastatefop.org.

If you are an FOP member the State of Florida now has an FOP license plate available for members, the proceeds are also used to support the Memorial Service and information is also available on the State Lodge’s web site.

President Obama and the death of Osama Bin Laden

I had begun to draft a posting about criticism of President Obama, especially recently over the rising fuel costs and if it was a fair criticism. Then came the announcement a few days ago of the killing of Osama Bin Laden by U.S. Military during a mission with the CIA. It didn’t take long for doubt and criticism to start. It’s one thing that President Obama has with his predecessors, especially President Bush (G.W.), but is it fair?

First and foremost I believe this is a great testament to our military and our form of government, it shows that a military background isn’t necessary to be the Commander in Chief. A benefit yes, but not a job requirement, with good military and intelligence advisors to provide the best intelligence, operational plans and personnel to carry those plans out the President can give orders to protect this country regardless of a military background.

As I watched the President announce to the country and the world that an operation took place that resulted in the death of Osama Bin Laden I thought overall he was fine. The President made the announcement in a professional manner with the correct tone. He reiterated that the United States was not at war against people of the Islamic faith, and pointed out that Bin Laden’s planned attacks over the years have killed all faith believing people including Muslims. Could you find something to have fault with in his remarks, yes, but is it really necessary?

Now I want to take a minute to address some of the other criticisms. I agree with the President’s decision not to release the photograph’s. What will be accomplished, except feeding some people’s morbid curiosity? The photo(s) will not prove that he is dead, those that don’t want to believe it will not no matter what the U.S. does. The Taliban wants the pictures released in order to prove to them that he is dead. Since when should we worry about if they believe us or not, are they going to suddenly disband and admit that their brutal interpritation of Islam is wrong? I’ve got an idea, if they want to see the pictures surrender to U.S. forces and we’ll give them personal 8X10 glossies as a part of their care package when they arrive at Gitmo.

All they are going to do with official U.S. photos is use them to show how barbarous the infidels are! As I mentioned those that don’t want to believe are going to continue to deny the authenticity of any photos that are released. Before the President’s announcement Photo Shopped pictures resurfaced on the internet. Members of Congress were even shown them and believed they were real which proves my point that people will believe what they want. Maybe if a couple of years from now Osama Bin Laden comes out with a brand new updated video I’ll change my opinion.

Next there was the announcement that Bin Laden’s body was disposed of at sea, then that he was washed and wrapped in accordance with Islamic traditions and then buried at sea. Of course there was the criticism that his body was “dumped” at sea, then that burial rituals were observed. As far as his being buried at sea, I can understand the argument about not having a grave site that his followers can make a shrine and martyr him. They’re going to do so anyway, but now they won’t have a body to mourn and can have an appreciation for what the families of those that died on September 11, 2001 feel every day.

As far as the burial rituals being observed and his body being washed and wrapped in accordance with those rituals it makes me more proud of our military. Personally I wouldn’t have been bothered if Bin Laden was put in a Hefty bag and just tossed overboard. However, taking the time to comply with the rituals showed respect for the religion, not the man who bastardized it’s teachings for his own purpose. Without saying a word it demonstrated to the world who the true barbarians are, those that committed the attacks killing innocent people and denying those victims a burial in accordance with their traditions or the country that took time to respect the religious rituals of their enemy?

Finally there has been some criticism of the celebrations that took place in front of the White House, Ground Zero, and elsewhere. For a moment people could relax and not be afraid. Was it right or wrong? I’m not going to judge, but for those in other parts of the world that are offended I have one thing to say; now you can appreciate the anger Americans felt as you danced in the streets with joy as the towers fell, and when the soldiers bodies were dragged through the streets in Somalia, or at the beheading of a journalist. In other words, You Reap What You Sow!

That’s My Opinion, What’s Yours?

May God Bless America, our Military and Intelligence personnel, those that seek peace in this world, and may he forgive those that work against that end.