JULY 2022. Blues Vol 38 No. 7

properly relieved. I’m

properly relieved. I’m not just talking here. And no, I’m no “Expert”. But I do what it’s like to be involved in a gunfight. It’s highly overrated. I know what it’s like, to be shot. Also, highly overrated. I know what it’s like to have to kneel down as an ISD Chief, look a parent in the eye and, tell them their child won’t be coming home. I remember each moment of each such notification. They’ll haunt me for, all my remaining days. I’m not, sitting in judgment upon anyone. Well, the shooter himself, yes. In my assessment, we in Law Enforcement owe nineteen precious, innocent children whose lives were lost and two beautiful, brilliant teachers whose lives were lost, a promise. I mean, the kind of promise we’ll die, to keep. We will collectively, do better. We will not, fail again. Not ever. Such profound loss of innocent lives should not ever be, forgotten nor forsaken. And everything humanly possible should be done, to ensure it never, ever happens again. In my time as an ISD Chief and, now as a non-ISD Chief, I’ll say I’ve had the privilege of standing in the presence of some of the absolute best people in uniform. I can unequivocally say, especially at the ISD Department’s, each and every Officer would’ve punched, kicked, climbed and crawled over or under any obstacles in the way, to reach and stop the shooter. They were tenaciously trained to, if called upon, to be the most violent and deadly person in the building. Either they were going down or, the shooter was. I believe that with all my heart. Lastly, there are thousands of amazing Teachers, Counselors, Principals, Bus Drivers, Maintenance, Cafeteria and custodial workers who give of themselves, everything they have for the students whom they serve. Each of them is, Silent Heroes, quietly running in the background. I don’t know what else can be said, really. We just can’t stand by and continue, the way we have. That fact is, self-evident. We must do better. We have to do better. To those lost, to their families and every other person who was directly affected by this awful loss of innocent life, please allow me to say, I am sincerely and profoundly sorry. I pray for God’s healing mercy, to speed unto you all... ad 10 The BLUES The BLUES 11