Fallen Police Officers Demands America’s Reawakening

Tragically, the violence and dangers faced by America's law enforcement continues.

As I began this article, this on-going scourge was particularly sobering. During a course of 5 consecutive days from December 6 through December 10, 2019, five police officers were senselessly murdered throughout America.

Additionally, on January 19, 2020, the paradise of America’s Hawaiian Islands was shattered by the senseless killing of Honolulu Officer Tiffany Enriquez, mother of 3 and grandmother, and Officer Kekaulike Kalama, a 7-year veteran.

On Jan. 23, Police Officer Katie Thyne of the Newport News (VA) Police Department. She was killed after being dragged by a vehicle following a traffic stop.

On the same day in Georgia, Deputy Sheriff Sheldon Gordon Whiteman was killed in a crash while involved in a vehicle pursuit. Gordon was a member of the Long County Sheriff’s Office.

In numerous previous articles noted below, and in my newest book Reawakening America, the crisis of America's culture of violence is addressed in detail.

Before proceeding with these reflections, let us reflect on the wisdom from the Book of Ecclesiastes 3:4, reminding us that there is a "time to weep .. and a time to mourn."

Let all of America pause, look into the eyes of these fallen officers.

We must weep and mourn for the loss to their loved ones, friends, colleagues, and communities.

These fallen servants of America are gone too soon, and their loss is a wound to the heart of our country.

Selected Quotes: Honoring America’s Fallen Police Officers

Never Forget America’s Fallen Officers, The Sentinel, May 18, 2018

“All of our fallen officers who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our communities deserve perpetual respect, honor, and dignity.

“Yet, their memory must be engraved not only on stone.

“Each of these brave souls must have their names eternally engraved in our hearts as they represent the courage, character, and decency of America.”

Honoring Our Fallen Police, Firefighters, Military, The Sentinel, January 4, 2018

“The diabolical brutality raged against our police pierces the hearts of loved ones, communities, the law enforcement family, and the very heart of America.

“America must forever honor all of our fallen police, firefighters, and military.

“These individuals who have offered the ultimate sacrifice protecting our communities and our nation deserve our eternal respect.

“The clarion call of Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg must be seared into the soul of each person privileged to call America home.

“The Gettysburg address, written for the fallen military during the Civil War, is eternally applicable to all who protect and serve America:

“It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us, that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.”

America's Fallen Officers: Compassion, Vigilance, Unity, The Sentinel, December 2, 2016

“After the Columbine High School tragedy, I conducted presentations throughout America to prevent school, campus, and university violence.

“During these presentations, I addressed the culture of violence taking place nationwide. It was my concern, shared with many audiences, incidents of violence would not only increase, but America would lose its outrage.

“The tragedy being witnessed in America is that school, campus, and university incidents are indeed becoming the norm.

“This reprehensible violence, is now compounded with the senseless killing of our police officers, which is also tragically becoming the norm.

“This is a sobering commentary of violence in America, and the violence must end.

“Only when America realizes that law enforcement is critical to the safety and security of our communities, and we give them the support they deserve, will we be on the path to reawakening the nation.”

Fallen Officers Demands America’s Reawakening, The Chief of Police, Fall 2016

“This senseless, unending anguish violates America’s security and rips the cohesiveness of police-community relations, critical to the preservation of society.

“The alarming killings of police throughout the country is like one not experienced in decades. It is not just the horrific recent killings of police in Dallas or Baton Rouge. Police are being killed nationwide and the appalling reality is that things might get worse before they get better.

“These tragedies are a sad commentary about the brokenness of American society since without collaboration between the police and the people, a society cannot endure.

“America must be reawakened and build ethical bridges of respect, dignity, and decency within every facet of society, especially between the police and the people.”

“These bridges must be built in our schools, campuses, workplaces, families, and communities.”

Fallen Police Officers: Honoring American Sentinels, The Sentinel, August 3, 2015

“Carved on the sacred walls of the National Law Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., are the names of over 20,000 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, dating back to the first know fatality in 1791.

“Each of these heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our country deserves respect.

“Aside from being carved names on stone, may each of these brave souls have their names eternally engraved in our hearts as they represent the courage, character, and decency of America.”

About the Author

Vincent J. Bove, CPP, is a national speaker and author of 275 published works on issues critical to America. Bove is recipient of the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award, and is former confident of the New York Yankees. He served as spokesperson for a coalition of victim’s families of the Virginia Tech tragedy. His most recent books are “Reawakening America” and "Listen To Their Cries." For more information: www.vincentbove.com or twitter @vincentjbove

Photos:

1. Honolulu Police Officers Tiffany-Vitoria Enrique and Kailike Kalama. (Courtesy NYPD)
2. Police Officer Kathie Thyne (Courtesy Newport News Police Department)
3. Deputy Sheriff Sheldon Gordon Whiteman (Courtesy Long County Sheriff’s Office)
4. NYPD officers in prayer during memorial mass for NYPD Detective Brian Simonsen, Holy Child Jesus Church, Queens, NY, Feb. 12, 2020. (Courtesy NYPD)
5. NYPD Officer Brian Moore (Courtesy NYPD)
6. NYPD Detective Steven McDonald funeral procession, Fifth Avenue, NYC, Jan. 13, 2017. (Courtesy NYPD News)

Note Well: Published / The Chief of Police, Winter 2020, Vol. XXXV, No. 4