Words of Respect from an Anonymous Citizen

[Wolfman]

I received this e-mail forward from an Officer at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. This department lost two of its officers April 1st, 2007 - and a year to the day, an anonymous citizen sent this, I thought it would be proper to post it here. Rest in Peace Brothers:

"It was one year ago today that Charlotte's finest lost two of our own. The following is a letter written to the CMPD by anonymous citizen...we don't hear words such as these too often, but when we do, believe me, those words are more than memorable..."
-Forwarded E-mail

"Tonight is quiet, maybe it needs to be. It's been a year since, and I remember when I heard the news. It was April the first and I thought it was the most horrible April Fool's Day prank. When I knew it was not a joke, my first thought was "Was it one of our's?" One of the ones I work with at the store. But realized:
They are ALL "our's".
I thought about how scary it seemed that this had happened and, how the world didn't seem so scary before. It was BECAUSE of "Them" that it wasn't so scary before. The thin blue line they call it, between chaos and peace.
Those special people that handle what we cannot or couldn't, so we can remain comfortably oblivious in our lives. Till we need them at our beck and call, or until we do something and want to blame them for 'picking on us'.
They are never 'off duty'. They are there, with their families, with an eye on our kids when they wander away from us just for a minute at the mall.
Making sure nothing happens, never saying a word, until we notice and retrieve our little one. The ones that wouldn't pass an accident until they know help is coming. The ones that would intervene if someone was being shoved around in a parking lot. There to look after us while we are in large groups having a good time, there to pull us back from the edge if our 'good time' begins to turn into a mistake that could cost someone their life, or ourselves our dignity or a few teeth. There to allow us and our kids to sleep peacefully at night, when their own families can't because of the job they do..for US.
When they are home, they can't be oblivious to the world like we can.
Because once you know, you can't unknow again.
How do you say Thank you for that? How could you begin to? Because what they do everyday isn't just 'something' it's EVERYTHING.
I feel so deeply honored to know the officers I know, they are some of the best people I know and I cherish them so much. I want them to know that."

-Written to CMPD by an Anonymous Citizen

[Wolfman]

-DOUBLE POST- Please Delete

[suzanne1020U.S.]

I hadn't read this before, and wish to thank you for reposting, Wolf,.....
it brought tears to my eyes!

I'm sending you rep, angel.

[CelicaGuy]

Wow, tears are coming from my eyes as well, great post!

[jmac_52]

Very well put. That was good.

[besafe2]

I received the same email from one of my friends in CMPD. Thanks for posting. RIP brothers.