Four flag-draped caskets containing the earthly remains of four police officers senselessly gunned down in a local coffee shop where they had met over coffee to begin their day's work, serving our community.
There really aren't adequate words, are there?
Four police officers , 3 men and 1 woman who had families. They each were of outstanding moral character and contributed much to their families and community in many, many ways..now dead. For what reason were they killed...because they wore police uniforms.
The Tacoma Dome was a sea of police officers from pretty much every state, and Canada. Thousands of men and women who serve on police forces united to pay tribute to 4 officers slain senselessly.
The service started late because the line of police and emergency vehicles from all over our state and many surrounding states was 20 miles long. Before they began the trip from Lakewood to the Tacoma dome they were parked 30 cars wide by 1/4 mile long and it took over 4 hours for them all to get to their destination, the Tacoma Dome, for the Memorial service.
People stood silently alongside the entire route, some holding flags, some holding their hands to their hearts, some saluting.
Lakewood is a community that also shows honor and appreciation for the many men and women in our military. Lakewood is surrounded by Ft. Lewis Army and McChord Air Force. Our area has lost many men and women during the war in Iraq and Afghanistan too.
It seems to me we have lost too many men and women of valor these past few years, and senseless evil seems to rear it's ugly head way too often. What is left behind is the legacy a fallen member of the services ( armed , police, emergency) that shows very often the character that attracted them to their chosen path in life in the first place. The noble idea of service to our communities and our country. Where would any of us be without such men and women? Praise God for them!
As you can tell, I took these pictures from my T.V. as I watched this service most of the day. Our local television broadcasted this without any commercial interruptions and often you could tell by the reporter's voices that they were crying. Our state lost another officer just last month in Seattle where he was gunned down in his squad car while writing up reports. As I listened to the families and friends of these officers I was struck by how their character ( and their families character ) and their contribution for the better to so many, contrasted the character of the killer and his family...the killer's family KNEW he was going to do this and aided and abetted him before and after the murders. The killer's family and friends all have children, some of them too must have been aware of some aspects of this intent because the killer discussed his plans over THANKSGIVING meal. I find this chilling...what will those children become?
Four flag-draped caskets containing the earthly remains of four police officers senselessly gunned down in a local coffee shop where they had met over coffee to begin their day's work, serving our community.
There really aren't adequate words, are there?
Four police officers , 3 men and 1 woman who had families. They each were of outstanding moral character and contributed much to their families and community in many, many ways..now dead. For what reason were they killed...because they wore police uniforms.
The Tacoma Dome was a sea of police officers from pretty much every state, and Canada. Thousands of men and women who serve on police forces united to pay tribute to 4 officers slain senselessly.
The service started late because the line of police and emergency vehicles from all over our state and many surrounding states was 20 miles long. Before they began the trip from Lakewood to the Tacoma dome they were parked 30 cars wide by 1/4 mile long and it took over 4 hours for them all to get to their destination, the Tacoma Dome, for the Memorial service.
People stood silently alongside the entire route, some holding flags, some holding their hands to their hearts, some saluting.
Lakewood is a community that also shows honor and appreciation for the many men and women in our military. Lakewood is surrounded by Ft. Lewis Army and McChord Air Force. Our area has lost many men and women during the war in Iraq and Afghanistan too. It seems to me we have lost too many men and women of valor these past few years, and senseless evil seems to rear it's ugly head way too often. What is left behind is the legacy a fallen member of the services ( armed , police, emergency) that shows very often the character that attracted them to their chosen path in life in the first place. The noble idea of service to our communities and our country. Where would any of us be without such men and women? Praise God for them!
As you can tell, I took these pictures from my T.V. as I watched this service most of the day. Our local television broadcasted this without any commercial interruptions and often you could tell by the reporter's voices that they were crying. Our state lost another officer just last month in Seattle where he was gunned down in his squad car while writing up reports. As I listened to the families and friends of these officers I was struck by how their character ( and their families character ) and their contribution for the better to so many, contrasted the character of the killer and his family...the killer's family KNEW he was going to do this and aided and abetted him before and after the murders. The killer's family and friends all have children, some of them too must have been aware of some aspects of this intent because the killer discussed his plans over THANKSGIVING meal. I find this chilling...what will those children become?
13 comments:
Kathy, I watched parts of this moving tribute on the evening news. As you say, there are really no words. May God bless the families of the fallen officers.
There are no words. God bless those families of the police officers. And GOD HELP those families of the murderer - they need it!
Dear Kathy,
I have been following this on Fox news--every time I hear or think about it--I am so very saddened to say the least and yes, angered too--I can only deal with such horrific atrocities by knowing and trusting in Sovereign God.
I do pray for these grieving families.
I am thankful you posted about this!
With love from the Cabin,
Claudia O.
Heart breaking Kathy. You're right, there are no words.
Evil is walking around on two legs - sitting at meals calmly discussing attacking good. Hard to even think of what to say -thank you for showing the immense respect paid to these fallen officers and their families. Although we know good wins in the end - it is hard. Come Lord Jesus
Kathy, I'm SO sorry for those families and your community. I just have no words to express my sympathy and sorrow. And my anger at someone who would do such a thing. It is a very sick individual. God bless all those families with the comfort that only His love can bring.
I feel sorry for the children raised by criminals too, why do children have to come to such homes as these and worse! My hear aches for these officers and their families. My son in law is a new police officer now, I worry about him...they are so good and want to serve..God bless them.
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Thank you for your post. I heard about this on the national news of course. I am from a law enforcement family. My husband is recently retired from the Department of Public Safety where he was a State Trooper for 28 years. My son is now in their academy (half way through). I feel for the families and can't believe the criminal intent of the killer and his family. Thank you again for your thoughts.
Kathy, We also had two officers gunned down here a couple of years ago, by a young teen. I feel for the families there and pray for peace that passes understanding.
This was just so sad and so senseless. This is a tragedy anywhere anytime, but I know it is even more difficult to deal with something like this when it hits so close to home.
Thank-you all for your comments. This tragedy was so senseless and the deeds done by the killer were evil, there is no other word for him and his helpers...evil! The contrast between him and his friends and family was so apparent during the memorial service as I listened to friends and family of the murdered....and I thought to myself, the families of the murdered policemen have nothing to be ashamed of, but the friends and family of the evil killer do, and God can have mercy on them and their souls, but they need to seek Him, with all their hearts, souls, and being!A start would be for them to actually feel shame and remorse for what they have done.
I am without words.
God makes all the difference in people's lives.
d
I was shocked and disgusted by this crime. I have to say I still think about the innocent heros that were ambushed by a monster as they sat and started their day at work. The vulnerability and fear they must have felt. I think about their families and friends and how their lives have been changed forever. It is hard for me to face that evil like this existed and still exists in others. I am glad he was found and that another police officer (another person) will not be killed by him. For his family that hid him, they deserve to serve the sentence he would have.
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