Losing a police officer in the line of duty hits extra close to home for us.
As many of you know, my dad has been a policeman in Indiana for over 40 years. He's worked for the state police, was sheriff for two terms and has worked in two different counties patrolling the streets day and night. Every day he puts his life on the line to help others. He helps people, pulls people over, investigates suspicious situations, solves problems, arrests people, transports and so much more. His days are nonstop and he loves what he does. We pray for his safety often and it seems stories of police tragedies are more common than they used to be.
Our city has an abundance of American flags, signs of love and support and a very large police presence this week. Everywhere we go we are seeing policemen and women coming out to support this fallen officer.
1982 Dad & Whitney
My kids get excited every time they see a police car and assume it's their Papaw.
Olive is old enough to notice the events of this week are out of the norm. She wanted to know what was going on in our city. I had to explain in 5 year old terms that a policeman died while he was trying to protect the people of our city. She thought for a moment and responded by saying,
So the bad guys won??
Since they killed a policeman.
He was a good guy.
That makes me want to cry.
Her very grown up response took me by surprise.
I reminded her with tears in my eyes that bad guys do bad things, but the policemen are always here to do good. They are here to protect and serve the people. They are eager to help and always there for us so we need to pray for their protection.
She got out our flags when we came home and started to sing a modified version of I'm Proud to be an American to include the lines... And I won't forget the policeman that died since she's been working on that at school.
Then she reminded me... Remember, Mom. Fear not. God is with you. I learned that at school.
We will continue to pray for Officer Rob Pitts' family and friends today along with all of the other policeman on duty protecting us every day.
Our posts today are eerily similar Whitney. I'm so sad to hear about the passing of an officer in your City. It seems like this is happening every day now, and I wonder every single day when it's going to stop.
ReplyDeleteIt just breaks my hear that things like this happen. Olive's response to singing and changing the lyrics is beautiful. I can see Fletcher in you in that picture with your dad. :) I know officers get a bad rep a lot, but I know there are more good ones than bad.
ReplyDeleteSo very tragic. I will lift his family up in prayer today. Sweet Olive’s response was precious - what a tender hearted girl!
ReplyDeleteOh man, Olive is so wise for her age! What a tragedy.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful tribute to a fallen officer. Stories like this are always so heartbreaking. We live in a crazy world. At least we are raising our children to be kind and loving people. It's all we can do. Sending prayers for your community and the family of the fallen officer.
ReplyDeleteShelbee
www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Oh Whitney! I just got done reading Johannah's post and then came over to read your's and was just so taken aback by another police tragedy. I can only imagine how close to home this must be for you with your father being a police officer. And it is just SO hard communicating to our children about the evil that is present in our world!! When you have to have conversations about tragedies like this one, a piece of their innocence is taken away and that can just tear your heart up!!! I know you must feel very thankful to live in such a tight-knit community that is showing so much support for the fallen officer and his family. I am going to be praying a special intention for this officer as well as the officer that was killed in Johannah's community. Sending lots of love to you friend!
ReplyDeleteIt's a scary and disturbing world we are living in. I ache for those that have lost a loved one for such a senseless reason. It breaks my heart. Praying for the family!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your city's loss, Whitney! Sending lots of prayers to your family and the family of the officer.
ReplyDeleteSuch a tragic loss. Sending prayers to the family.
ReplyDeleteOh that's so so sad :( My uncle is a sheriff, and I have always thought of him as a hero.
ReplyDeleteOh my word, this happened in our community last year and it is just so sad and horrific.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about the loss of a local police officer. Seems it's more the norm these days. Not all police officers are good, but the bad ones are few and far between. People have been spoon-fed that they're all bad. I work for 9-1-1 and, thankfully so far, our community hasn't been hit with that kind of tragedy.
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