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MAY 2021 Blues Vol 37 No. 5 - Austin Cover

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MAY 2021 Blues Vol 37 No. 5 - Austin Cover • National Police Week • Memorial Services in Austin, Houston & Harris County • Are You Prepared to Stay Alive: A Officer Survival Guide • DC Cops race, crash, and get beat up by one officer's momma • Warstory/Aftermath - White cop shoots black teenager in the back

The Real Heroes of

The Real Heroes of 2021 It’s a humbling experience to walk among heroes. In this case, the heroes are the surviving family members of peace officers lost in the line of duty in Texas. Each year, Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S) along with the State of Texas and police agencies from across the State, gather together at the Texas Police Memorial at the Capitol to honor these fallen officers. This year the event was moved to a stadium a few blocks away. Even though they have suffered the worst pain imaginable, they continue to go about their lives knowing a greater good was served. That one life was given so that another could be saved. They know in their heart of hearts that God will continue to watch over them as well as the Peacemakers he has called home, for they are truly the Children of God. So, on this peaceful Sunday, as the evening sun slowly sets in the hills above this bustling city, mothers & fathers, husbands & wives, sons and daughters, aunts & uncles, grandchildren and great grandchildren, each walk on stage to meet the Lt. Governor and Governor. One by one, hugs are exchanged and tears flow as Governor Abbott and his wife Cecilia comfort these heroes of heroes and present them with medals to honor their fallen officer. It is a saddening fact that each year, both groups of heroes grow larger and larger. This past year we lost over 362 officers including 234 that lost their life due to COVID. That’s 212 more than the year before. And in 2021, the number across the nation is already 119. Hundreds of thousands of family and friends now a part of a group they wished they never heard of. You see, if given a choice, none of these heroes would be here today. They would rather be anywhere but here. But this was God’s will and for whatever reason He chooses to call His children home, we honor that and pray He watches over His growing flock of angels. As the bag pipes play, the sound of a 21-gun salute, and officers from around the state standing at attention, are all vivid memories for these family members. Memories most would rather not relive, but they know it’s their duty to be here and support the new members of this fraternity. In my 36 years of law enforcement, I’ve attended way more services for fallen officers than I care to count. At each one you can’t help but relive all ones before. You remember every single moment that you buried your partner, your friend and in many cases your own family. And at every single service, thoughts race through your mind, “What if this were my service?” My family, my wife and my kids receiving a folded flag. The Sheriff, Police Chief or Commander standing before them, saluting them, holding back a wave MICHAEL BARRON of tears that will fall when they aren’t looking. As each ceremony progresses, your mind is overwhelmed with grief and yet the sad realization that even though this isn’t your service or your family, the next time it may very well be. But today, today you mourn for the fallen. You honor your brothers and sisters in Blue with pride and integrity. It’s what you were trained to do. But as I stand here today, taking all this in one more time, I pray to our Father in Heaven that He watches over all His children both here and those He has called home. I beg him repeatedly to not take any more. Please let us grieve over the ones we’ve lost without having to add to that burden. Please add no more members to this club. Let us come here to honor those that have fallen in years gone by without adding a single name to the Police Memorial both here and in Washington. We ask this in your name Father, Amen. FT. WORTH 6201 NE Loop 820 HOUSTON 10310 Wortham Center Dr. Ready To Serve You • Range packages available for training & qualifications • Discounted Range Memberships for law enforcement agencies and officers • Firearms, tactical equipment, and more! For information contact: John Pfister • Director Business Development • 513-342-3028 ARLINGTON 5661 S. Cooper St. HOUSTON 9245 FM 1960 Bypass Rd. DALLAS 1915 S. Stemmons Fwy HOUSTON 350 E Nasa Pkwy AUSTIN 1775 Warner Ranch Dr. SAN ANTONIO 722 SW Loop 410 4 The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE 5 Sun - Thurs: 10am – 7pm • Fri & Sat: 10am - 8pm | ShootPointBlank.com

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