a sad day
This week, our county sheriff's office lost a deputy in the line of duty. It's the biggest nightmare of any cop's family and my heart hurts that there is anyone having to live through it today. Jeff's department volunteered to cover all shifts for the entire sheriff's department during the funeral yesterday so that all of them could attend. Even though there is rivalry between the two departments, they really do support each other when it counts. He was driving code (lights and sirens) down a 2 lane high way in the middle of the night to cover another deputy who was on a call in a potentially dangerous situation. Most of the traffic around him pulled over. But one car, going the opposite direction, decided they could pass everyone else. instead, they swerved into the lane where the deputy was traveling and hit him head on. We all originally thought that he died instantly, but later learned that the car caught on fire and he died in it while a group of officers from another agency desperately tried to get him out. PLEASE, when you see an emergency vehicle traveling with it's lights and sirens. PULL OVER. The people inside are someone's son or daughter, husband or wife, mother or father, sister or brother and they are in a hurry to get someplace in order to keep other people safe. That's the job that they have chosen to do.... but their REAL ob is to come home to their families at the end of their shift.I got this email from my best friend, whose husband is a sergeant with the county sheriff. He was a part of the processional, and she attended as support for both her husband and the family of the fallen deputy. Here are some excerpts."Marion County lost a deputy last weekend. Yesterday was the funeral. It was amazing, horrendous, and healing all at the same time. I was there from about 1:00-7:00 pm and I pray that I never have to go to another. Kelly - the deputy - was a good man. DH helped train him and he had been in our home. I didn't really know him, but this is every cop's wife's worst nightmare. So, the family's pain is shared by all of us. Law enforcement - much like the military - is really a family. The funeral was a great tribute to Kelly and law enforcement. Law enforcement agencies from all around Oregon - and other states - came to pay their respects. After the funeral was over there was a procession that circled the capitol building and ended at the new police acadamy. Citizens were lined up on the streets waving flags and crying with us. Children made posters thanking Kelly and all law enforcement for what the do for us. One lady - as we passed her - called out to us - "I'm so very sorry". The day ended with the 21 gun salute and the final radio call. What a heart braking experience. Kelly died because someone didn't follow the law. Please always remember to get out of the way of emergency vehicles. That simple act would have saved Kelly. I love you all. -Rach"If anyone is interested, here is a link to a slide show of the processional through town. It's amazing how many officers from agencies all over the state who came to support their fallen comrade and his family. http://news.statesmanjournal.com/galleries/memorial/photo_gallery.cfm