| Memorial honors fallen officers Chaplin says job calling from God' |
( Daily News photo by C. Jerome Crow )
"Tonight you may be feeling quite alone in your efforts to serve and protect," said Thomas. "You see how the media lets you down, the courts let you down, even the people you try to help let you down." Thomas read from the Old Testament of Habakkuk's complaint to God that justice seems to be hard to come by in the light of all the wickedness in the world. Thomas added that this passage of scripture was written sometime between 612 and 588 B.C., but that law enforcement could make the same complaint today. "As a chaplain, I see how law enforcement is criticized and often ridiculed," said Thomas. "They are held to a higher standard than the rest of us because of the job they do. The uniform that they wear, makes them a target for the criminal element. They are looked at differently because of the clothes they wear and at times, citizens forget there is a person behind the badge." Thomas said this can make a person feel alone in their efforts to make this a better place to live. "Yet every day, our everyday heroes don the uniform and face the danger and go out to protect and serve each of us," said Thomas. She then told of the story of the Savior and how he calmed the Sea of Galilee, then rebuked his disciples for not having faith in him. She pointed out that these were not novice people on boats but experienced fisherman who had "become accustomed to the danger of the storms," that "they were experienced at their jobs, and they knew what to do." But, at times, they also knew the danger was great, and they called out for help. She compared this to law enforcement officers. "You know how to do your job, and yet sometimes you know that the danger is great," said Thomas. "It's in those times that you call for back-up and together you fight the danger and calm the storm. After the incident, a peer may say, Hey, great job!' And you realize that you handled the storm just fine." Thomas added there are times when the storm is not physical danger, but emotional danger. "Why is it that it is easy to call out for help when we know there is imminent danger or a physical threat, and yet if it is an emotional storm, we do not asked for help?" ask Thomas. She talked about the stresses that cause these dangers and asked if the reason people often don't call for help is because they doubt help is there. "We see that Jesus answered, Why do you have such little faith?' In other words, "Why do you doubt that I will help you?'" she said. "My question to you is why do you doubt that someone could help you?" She quoted the statistic that last year, 155 law enforcement officers lost their lives in the line of duty. Eighteen of those were in California. "Officers think they can handle everything because they are supposed to, it is what they must do to do their job," said Thomas. "So many times they stuff it down and push it away. But the stress will begin to eat away at you, at who you are and your personality. It will change your values, your interaction with your family and friends will change to the point you will totally withdrawal." She said the point of her remarks was to remind those present to not be afraid to reach out, but to also have faith that there is someone that they are reaching for. Thomas warned that the qualities that make a wonderful officer, don't always equate to an enduring member of the family. "Ask yourself this, is my home a better place when I'm there or do I cause more tension?" asked Thomas. "Is my family happy that I'm home, or do they wish I had to work overtime?" She said if these answers are not positive then it's possible the officer is holding on to the storms of life and it is affecting his or her family. She pleaded for officers to reach out for help when they need it. She also implored citizens to honor them and pray for them. "To those here tonight to honor your officers, I commend you," Thomas said in closing. "Remember you aren't doing it for you, you are doing it for those who are gone and for those who they left behind." The memorial service included many touching moments including a candle lighting ceremony where the names of 18 fallen officers were read and a short biography of their lives played on the video screen. The Red Bluff Police Department Honor Guard performed a 21-gun salute and "Taps" was sounded by Andy McClure. The service ended with "Amazing Grace" played on the bag pipes. Especially poignant was a performance by Fuel Driven Fine Arts Team of Bethel Assembly of God, which acted out many of the themes spoken by Thomas in her keynote address. In his "Prayer for Law Enforcement Families," Tehama County Sheriff's Chaplain Ron Fortenberry made note of the recent attack on the home of Sheriff Clay Parker and his wife Lilly. He called on God to provide strength and courage and angels to surround their home. The 18 fallen peace officers honored were: Sgt. Howard Stevenson, Ceres Police Department; Officer Manuel A. Gonzalez, California Department of Corrections; Deputy James P. Tutino, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department; Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburgh Police Department; Officer Tommy E. Scott, Los Angeles Airport Police Department; Deputy Greg Gariepy, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department; Deputy Gerardo "Jerry" Ortiz, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department; Deputy Joseph M. Kievernagel, Sacramento County Sheriff's Department; Deputy Kevin P. Blount, Sacramento County Sheriff's Department; Officer Nels "Dan" Niemi, San Leandro Police Department; Special Agent Supervisor William Garvey; Deputy Kevin Elium, Tulare County Sheriff's Department; Officer Matthew Redding, Rocklin Police Department; Deputy Daniel Lobo, Jr., San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department; Officer Andrew T. Stevens, California Highway Patrol, Valley Division Headquarters; Officer Erik Manny, California Highway Patrol, Fort Tejon; Lt. Michael Walker, CHP, Santa Cruz. Memorial Honors fallen officers | ||||||||||||||
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