Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Left 4 Dead


The ceremony was over – the flags was folded and as the trumpet played taps to close it all. There were many present to pay their last respects with thoughts of sorrow and confusion why did this happen and how could it happen when all was supposed to be safe and sound within the walls of the penitentiaries in Arizona.

While the officers wept, the suit and ties sat there motionless and with minds somewhere else. Only a few paid attention to the crowd and only a few really cared.

The epitome of two good human beings came to rest on the green grass so far from home with the gold trimmed casket six feet below as grief-stricken tears are shed for heroes that gave it all when all mattered the most.

Some say they never had a chance but they only whisper that in fear it may be heard by those that have their say. As cliché as it sounds, “We really just did our job that day," someone said out loud “but somehow it wasn’t enough.”

A somber moment, families headed out as family, friends and fellow officers gathered to pay their last respects to the fallen champion. “These were great officers” someone whispered as they bowed their heads and threw the dirt into the hole soon to be covered with green grass and a tombstone that will identify them as a father and mother and heroes to others they worked with.

No one really knows what happened for the truth will never be shared. In a letter written by the agency he worked for and read out loud to the audience at the funeral it read in part “these two young officers died a hero’s death as they performed their jobs flawlessly and took their assigned job responsibilities seriously and faultlessly.”

The letter went on to say “they were overpowered by five criminals that preyed on those wearing the uniform and badge; striking cowardly when they aren’t seen by others around while lurking in the darkened shadows.

In front of God and Duty these heroes have paid the ultimate price ……………. Their lives……..taken while still young and in their prime ..........but to those who took it we swear ………..may God have mercy on your soul as you will all hang from the gallows.”

“Although they called for help on the radio, these loud pleas went unnoticed for minutes as they struggled to stay alive. After fighting off two of the four assailants they were finally overpowered and beaten to death with their own radios and kicked, hit, punched and strangled with their own handcuffs.”

The responders, so far away yelled back at them on the radio while screaming “we are coming”………… but they had to travel a very long distance to reach the scene. There weren’t enough around to have their backs when they went into that pit of hellish danger where the devil lurks and the light is black and needed the help the most.

The responders were still a little less than two minutes away but their comrades'' spirits were crushed and the hearts had stopped beating. Running as fast as they could they reached their sides and began life saving methods but the nurse was too far away and the man-down bag was no were around.

The sadness is that the agency had played the danger ~ they knew how dangerous it was the way they were running these penitentiaries and ignored the needs of the “boots on the ground” that kept it together. Solemnly swearing all is was safe. They lied over and over to cover up their own mistakes and shortcomings as leaders for others.

It was an extremely tough day for all of them as first responders. They did an absolutely outstanding job that day trying to save their lives. They too were real heroes.

It was a challenge to convince those in power how dangerous it really was. It was a challenge to convince them that the perils were many and the staff were too few. They are told by many that “they know they are never alone – but the matter of fact is – they do work alone most of the time. Even when the odds are two hundred and fifty to two officers – they walk the gauntlet without fear yet they knew it only takes a spark to make it explode.

The agency had kept telling them “we are there to support you no matter where, no matter what, we are there for you.” They did absolutely nothing to make it safer and more secure for him and those that stand beside him.
They left them 4 dead.

Disclaimer - this may be offensive to some - to them I say you have to face realities ~
Of course we hope and pray this never happens to any of those that work inside the jails and prison but it has – too many times my brothers and sisters – too many times and the writing is on the walls.

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