thankful

Last week an officer was shot and killed here in Colorado Springs. He worked for the city and so it wasn't directly with the guys I work with, however it did affect me. This officer was an DUI officer so when a traffic cop pulls over someone who is drunk they specifically dispatch a DUI cop out to the scene. In this specific circumstance Ken Jordan got to the scene and approached the car. I will not put in the details here. The other two officers that were on the scene shot and did not kill the suspect, however Ken Jordan died that night. Prior to this year the Colorado Springs Police Department has not had an officer die in 20 years, but we lost two guys this year.

So I got the privledge of riding in a 200 car processional on the day of the funeral service for Ken Jordan. What an amazing experience to see everyone who serves in our line of duty all come out to support this tragic event. On the way there we rode on the highway which was completely shut down so all you could see were lights on top of cars from as far as you could see in front and behind you. At the service it was amazing to see over 900 people there supporting our city and Ken Jordan and his family. At the service one of our guys came in playing the bagpipes and sending chills up and down my body. At the end of the service the military presented Ken Jordan's mother with the flag, and there is something about that moment that just gripped my heart. Sitting there watching her as she held the flag so cloesly to her chest, wishing more than anything that what she could be holding was her son. It brought tears and grief to my soul.

On the way back in the processional it was amazing. This time the highway was once again shut down, however this time each side was lined with thousands of people. Everyone from little kids waving at us, mothers crying, and retired veterans saluting us. People holding signs thanking us for our service and all the dedication we have to serve our communities day in and day out, making the a safer place to be. It brought so many emotions to my heart and spirit as we traveled among the on lookers who were just watching.

I thought to myself this is why I do what I do. This is the reason that I go out to crime scenes and serve people who are at their worst and just listen and support them. This is why I do things that I sometimes do not want to do, because God has called me to serve, love, and protect those who need help. It made me proud to be an American. It made me proud to see our community members coming out and supporting the service men and women who sacrifice their lives everyday and maybe say goodbye to husbands, wives and children and those they love every morning.

Now I do not know how to feel about the war, but today I want you to say a prayer for all those soldiers who are over seas and away from families this Christmas and over the holidays. I know that even I get lonely being on the other side of the country from my family and all those I love; and I can't imagine having to be over seas away from children and family and in their circumstances. So take a break from whatever you are doing and say a prayer for them. They sacrifice everything that we may have a safe place to come home to at night.

All this to say, today I am thankful for my freedom, my family, my car, a warm house to sleep in, all those who love me and my life. I am thankful.

Katie