Thursday, June 12, 2008

I Had a Picture of Your Golf Swing in my Mind Last Week

Rich:
A quick note to you. I golfed two days last week on a LONG championship course. Mr. Lou, Ms. Geng and Mr. Liu made up the foursome from China. I keep the picture of your great swing in my mind - I thank you for that help. I use the irons you and Lynn gave me for Father's Day. I chipped near the pin every time - again thank you. We all miss you.
Dad

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Visit to the National Law Enforcement Memorial

.. continuing with a regular note from a father to his son...

Rich:

I spent last week in Washington, DC at the National Law Enforcement Memorial – for National Police Week. Fallen officers were remembered in a week long memorial organized by the National C.O.P.S. (Concern Of Police Survivors), NLEOMF, Grand Lodge Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), and FOP Auxiliary. The Memorial in Judiciary Square is beautiful.

181 police officers died in the line of duty last year (2007). 151 died the year your gave your life (2006). One very difficult fact - there are more than 18,000 names etched in two walls. Every one, a hero to America.

A large number of families and officers attend the memorial during Police Week. There is a great support system. Support comes from individuals who lost their officer in the past, current active duty officers, and professionals who attend to take care of the families in need. To name a few of the professionals and officers who helped this year – Nancy Bohl, PhD., who comes every year to provide support to the current year families. The United States Marshals Service has many officers in attendance to help – specifically, Deputy Vladimir Mihailoff, who was there helping your family last year and this year. Nancy and Vladimir, both amazing individuals, have been at the memorial offering help for many years. Just to name a few other agencies and individuals, of the large number of those offering assistance, are Deputy Sheriff Ron Lawhorne of the Alexandria Sheriff’s Department; Captain Jerry Hinkle, Commanding Officer of the Special Operations Bureau, Aurora Colorado, Police Department; The Motor Officers from The City of Berea, Ohio, Police Department, including Patrick Greenhill; The amazing Officer Al Stevens of the Montgomery County Police; The officers from Oklahoma; The group of officers from Mansfield, Ohio, with Todd Newberry; and all the Officers who joined us from Australia and the UK, specifically Detective Sergeant Warwick Brown of the NSW Police Force, who is taking the memory of Rich to the new Officer Memorial in NSW.

I met Presidents of C.O.P.S. chapters from across the USA. Thanks to Jim Cook, President of the Louisiana Chapter who invited us to the “Parents” dinner – the best meal we have had in a long time. In California, two of the three chapters of C.O.P.S., Northern and Southern California, have been a great place for support.

And a special request to all survivors - to pray for the speedy recovery of Scotty Hinshaw, Motor Officer with the Colorado State Patrol. Scotty is recovering from very serious injuries received in the same accident that killed his partner, Zach Templeton, when a reckless driver hit them.

The trip to the memorial was heartwarming event. I stop at the memorial every time I am in Washington, DC. I sit for a while next to your name, and run my fingers across the etching of your name. This gives me a quiet way to let you know everyone misses you.

Rich, we all love you and miss you.

Dad