When did this happen?

Today was a rough, emotional day.  I spent most of it crying as I watched the funeral procession for Officer Tom Cottrell who was intentionally gunned down last Saturday night while protecting the sleepy town of Danville.  Officer Cottrell was not targeted personally.  The perpetrator 's objective was to kill a man in uniform.  Unfortunately for Officer Cottrell and his family, he was the first one to come into contact with the killer.

As I sat cemented to my chair, I began to question life.  I looked at Mark, and through tears, I simply ask, "When did this happen?"  He said, "What, baby?"  I replied, "When did we become a nation that no longer respects the laws of the land and the lives of our law officials?"  He simply said, "I don't know".  

For as along as I can remember, I was taught that the policemen were my friends.  My parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, teachers, etc. always stressed to my brothers and I that the police officer was a place of safety.  We were to go to them if we were ever in trouble.  If we got lost, the police would help us find our families.  If someone was hurt, the police would call for the ambulance.  If someone was hurting you, the police would protect you.   As I grew older, I learned that I was to respect the badge.  They were there to protect our town and our family from lawbreakers. I knew when I earned my driver 's license that I was to abide by all the laws.  I also knew that if I found myself on the wrong side of the law, I was to do what the police officer told me to do. He was the authority and I was to respect that. 

What happened to this way of thinking?  Why does it seem that we no longer respect the badge and the life behind it?  When did the laws set forth in federal, state and local doctrines become optional? When did we become a society that feels as if it is above the law?  When did we no longer value the lives of others?  These questions have been haunting me today.  I'm 53 years old. I'm educated.  I'm a 31 veteran of the classroom.  I have seen a lot in those 53 years. But for some reason I can't find a logical explanation for any of these questions.  I just don't understand and it hurts  my heart.

I have been accused over the years for being a Pollyanna.  While some find this an insult, I take it as a compliment.  I choose, as I sit here and write,  that I will look for the positives in this tragedy.  I want to believe that something good will come of this senseless act of violence.  Perhaps the scholarship fund being set up at COTC in his name will produce some great law enforcement officials who will honor Officer Cottrell's name and life.  Perhaps the college fund for his daughters will enable them to seek careers that will allow them to help others just like their daddy.   Perhaps this will be a learning moment for others to understand the importance of the law enforcement agencies and change the way we do things.  Perhaps all of the little children who stood along the line paying respects will be the catalyst of change in the next generation. Perhaps it will motivate each and every one of us to be kinder to one another.  Perhaps it will soften our hearts and we can learn to just love. Perhaps.....


Make Every Day Count..
Denise

Anyone who would like to donate in Officer Cottrell's honor can do so through various outlets.  Go to the Newark Advocate link for more information


http://www.newarkadvocate.com