A friend of mine was killed today in the line of duty. He went to help someone and that someone shot him dead.
He has a wife and two children ages 7 and 3.
First we got news that he'd been shot and that it was bad. About 40 minutes later we got the call that said he didn't make it.
I hadn't verbally talked to him in just over a year, but we've communicated via facebook. On the way down to Dawson's birthday party, I passed him on the Interstate and we both waved. That was the last time I actually saw him.
I know he knew that he was my friend. I know that I was his friend. I just wish I would have seen him one last time.
We didn't have the friendship where we spoke on the phone or stopped at the others house when we weren't working. When I was a dispatcher he always - and I do mean always - stopped to see me or called if he was out. It might have been for just a minute, but he always made personal contact.
If you view the last video blog I did from dispatch, forward it to 6:18. I was talking about him.
Death is hard for me - period. However, when the death is a parallel to me it's horrible. He was my age. He has the same job as my husband. His two kids are the same ages of two of my kids.
I feel it to the core.
If I knew I'd never see him again, this is what I would have said....
Chad Mechels sounds like Speckles, thank you for making me laugh. Thank you for saying your sorry when you thought you were wrong. Thank you for loving your job like nobody else could - nobody. Thank you, Chad, for your service and dedication.
I'm gonna miss him. I really, really am.
10 comments:
Oh Ker! I'm so sorry to hear that you have lost someone like that. I know that the stress of dealing with the unknown of that profession is alot to handle. Of course you know that I'm here if you need to talk. I love you.
that was the most heartbreaking story i have heard in a L.O.N.G. time. i still don't think it's understandable, even with the news' attempt to cover the story. but i know that the real story is told by people who knew him, and loved him. today we are praying for his family and all of his loved ones. and thanking God for the protection that men and women in uniform offer us every day.
I get it Kerrie. I get the hurt in your stomach that doesn't go away. I get uneasy feeling over your whole body. I get the daze where everything is moving around you but you are stuck without motion.
Thinking of you and everyone else that is hurting today.
Such a sad story! It's so hard to lose someone so special and in such a hard way....helping somebody, trying to do good. Life just doesn't make sense sometimes.
I'm so sorry for your loss Kerrie. I have been thinking of you since yesterday.
I'm so sorry to hear about your friend - I will pray for his family and for you.
I love you.
Always...
Kerrie,
This story stopped me in my tracks when I first heard about it. It broke my heart to hear the news. I feel so sorry for his wife and his children. I thought about all the other officers and their feelings, but I hadn't thought about the other officers' WIVES. You have a unique way of expressing with words what most people can't. Thank you for that. I'm so sorry about your loss. I'll be praying for you.
Just watched the video. Very poignant.
Yes, he was a very nice person -- even to this nosey ex-reporter. I never got a chance to know him that well, but I could tell he loved law enforcement.
OH my gosh Kerrie.. That video brought tears to my eyes.. If I didn't know better, I would have thought it was recorded in the present and you were discussing him after his passing.
I can't fatham what it is like for all of the officers, wives, children etc. Just know that there are alot of people around here supporting you all during this time and never ever forget that!! You are not alone!
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