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FEBRUARY 2020 Blues Vol 36 No 2

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FEBRUARY 2020 Blues Vol 36 No 2

Always Put Family First

Always Put Family First - Aftermath Author Responds Last month in our first “AFTER- MATH” column, we featured a heart-breaking true story from many years ago. I venture to guess that not a single person that read it wasn’t touched in some way or another. This month, the author shares some excellent advice to our readers. EDITOR Very few people, other than those in my academy class, even know about my story. And those that do, reached out and asked why after all this time, would you share such a personal and heartbreaking story. I’m not sure really. Guilt maybe. I have always blamed myself for wife’s death. I placed more importance on a job than on her. I wanted so badly to be a cop, that I lost touch with reality and what The Art of Being Brave should have been my first priority- my family. No job, no career, is more important than your family. I learned this lesson in the hardest way possible. I have suffered in ways most would never understand. I’ve lived that day over and over again in my mind. What if I just had acted differently? Talked to her? Reasoned with her? Anything. We all have to live with the decisions we make in life. Don’t make one that you’ll live to regret. I say all this to remind my brothers and sisters in Blue. Love your job, but love your family first. All of us go to work never knowing if we’ll come home again, never knowing if you kiss your wife and kids goodbye, if that will be the last time you’ll see them. Being a cop is more than just a job. It’s way of life most will never understand. The stress can sometimes be overwhelming. The old saying “it’s hours and hours of boredom interrupted by moments of sheer terror,” is becoming more and more terror than boredom. If push comes to shove, never, never, pick your job over your family. You’ll regret it the rest of your life. People talk about Hell and burning in eternity. I honestly believe that Hell is here on Earth. God may forgive us for our sins, but our hearts and minds will never forget and rarely forgive. Learn from my mistakes. Learn from my selfishness. Be a great husband, a great wife, a great dad, a great friend AND a great cop… in that order. As the song says, “Never leave I love You unsaid.” And never take life for granted. Live each day as if it’s your last. Before I write the first word about the actions of HPD Chief Art Acevedo, PC Court Magistrate Colin Amann and the Harris County District Attorney, I want to apologize to the families of Sgt. Brewster and Sgt. Sullivan. Dealing with the loss of a loved one, especially police officers in the line of duty, is hard enough without having to deal with a bunch of political BS. On behalf of all of Chris and Kaila’s brothers and sisters in BLUE, I want you to know how truly sorry we are. We begin with Acevedo and his 5-minute rant on gun control outside the funeral 15% home where our beloved Off brother Bookings Christopher Brewster was taken. for While the the death of this fine officer, who you should be directing your anger to is the court system. Time and time again this punk was arrested and let go. Courts, judges and the entire criminal justice program is broken. That’s where your anger should be. Even so, venting mere feet away from the funeral home where your fallen officer’s body lay, is just uncalled for. Joe Gamaldi, President of the HPOU, wrote to his members: “We are all grieving for Chris, and the focus should be on him and his family, not on the Chief’s agenda. If the Chief would like to make political statements, there are plenty of opportunities to run for office. But running the 5th largest department in the country should be his focus, instead of his misplaced activism. By the way, if the Chief wants to have a discussion on guns and crime, maybe he should share the facts that we have provided him that over 1600 people are on deferred for aggravated assault, 1100 people on deferred for robbery/aggravated robbery, and over 300 people on deferred for felon in possession of a firearm. It was very clear to anyone watching, the Chief owes the entire Houston Police Department an apology for hijacking this somber moment. Chief Acevedo needs to understand, this is about Sgt. Chris Brewster and his Our Editor-in-Chief Rex Evans One thing is certain, should you as in vain. Hopefully, you’re able focus should have been 100% on has no doubt a way with words. choose to commit yourself to whatever dire challenge you’re facing, do efforts as an investment. And I sin- seized the opportunity to grand to look at all those hours, all those First Responders comforting Chris’ family, Acevedo He speaks from his heart and with a passion unlike any other person so with all your heart. cerely hope I’ve made you proud. stand in front of the media gathered to cover the funeral. Being I know. I stole this post from his A very wise HFD Captain I had the Facebook and hit this little gem privilege to ride for once told me, the radical anti-gun fanatic he as, here. I hope you enjoy his words as “If your heart isn’t in it, there’s no Comments from Clifford Reed: Acevedo began blaming everyone much as I did. PUBLISHER way you can you can ever be successful at it...” tions and listen to your heart. Much for Chris’ death. How about blaming Amen my Brother, know your limita- from Trump, to Ted Cruz to the NRA Being “Brave” is not about being Captain Clifford Reed’s words, and of what I accomplished, I was at my the thug POS that shot him because foolish or taking too many chances. more importantly his actions, have limits, yet my heart pushed me on he didn’t want to go back to jail? Bravery is an act committed without resonated with me throughout my either to save someone or put the Damn Acevedo, did you really think hesitation or reservation. A decision career and my life. fire out. I had no death wish, but a Solis went to his local gun store made without any forethought or Anything I’ve ever been successful heart to serve and to my God that and purchased a gun legally? Well pre-planning whatsoever. at wasn’t because I was “that good”. watches over all of us who serve. no, because with his criminal past Bravery is when you find yourself It was truly, solely because those Rex, proud to have had a small part he wouldn’t have been sold one. So, faced with only a moment to either whom I learned from were. of sharing what I learned to you. while you are ranting and raving commit it all or commit nothing. You see, Captain, all those hours You listened. Know your limitations, about boyfriend loopholes which No one can decide this moment you spent on me way back then, I know your heart and know our god had absolutely nothing to do with for you. You either do it or you don’t. hope you’ve never thought of them above all. Continued on Page 16 12 The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE 13

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