Something in the Air

A mere few weeks since the murder of Deputy Zackari Parrish another deputy is killed in the line of duty. Adams County Deputy Heath Gumm, shot while chasing a suspect. Another of our best taken in the cause of service above self.

Social media posts in the aftermath of an officer death sometimes begin, and end with a simple word... "Enough." I get it. I know the feeling.

I attended my first police funeral when Arvada Officer Walter "Mike" Northey was struck by a car and killed in August, 1979, while I was in the police academy. He was just twenty-five, a year older than I was. I will never forget the sound of his wife sobbing in the otherwise hushed church.

There have been so many since then. Good men and women who fell chasing a calling that does not easily translate into words. Rather, the deeds themselves speak the language of the love one has for their country, their community and the friends with whom they share the danger. It is a love that carries hardship, and sacrifice. And, it always will.

We live in an imperfect society, a paradox of the best, and the worst that people can show. Surrounded here in Colorado by several million good, honest, hard-working people, there are those few who prey on the weak, victimize the vulnerable and rob the innocent of the dignity they should enjoy of a life free from fear.

"Who will go?” And I said, “Lord, I'll go! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8.

And so, we go. To the disturbance in Douglas County. To the assault in Thornton. We go, knowing what might happen. Knowing what must happen. And men and women keep lining up to be chosen.

The writer in me would like to tell you a story, in its entirety. The police supervisor is ethically bound to keep confidences. So, here is what was open to public view.

As part of our agency's recruitment and selection process, we administer a physical agility test. It isn't easy - requiring the candidate to climb fences, run an obstacle course and drag a 150 pound dummy. It is run at a recreation center, in full public view. In fact, several individuals watched the proceeding and cheered on the huffing, puffing applicants. All had come from out of the state - where there is a great deal more air in the air. Most of the men and women completed the course within the allotted time. Three did not, and were allowed a re-test. In the years I've been doing this I've never seen anyone be successful the second time through.

One of the second-try candidates was failing. Her legs were giving out, her lungs screaming. Those of us with the stopwatches could only watch, and wait. The sad ending was inevitable. Then, it happened. My work partner, a big, imposing man of great personal character, bellowed - 

"Just how bad do you want this?"

I don't know from where the renewed speed, the strength and the never-give-up stamina were drawn. The applicant did not quit. She passed. And then, collapsed.

Who will go? Who will take the place of the fallen and carry on, have the watch? Protect our communities?

She will. The others cheering her on will. The next generation will. You are in good hands.