Blue Family

Yesterdays blog kind of took off. I'm praying that everyone read it prayed for the injured officer or just had thoughts of healing for him and his family. I hope you join me in continuing those prayers and well wishes. I got an outpouring of love and support and many people shared my post.  The community showed how much love and respect for public servants in troubled times. Let me assure you that we appreciate all the love.

I got a much needed night of rest. As soon as I got up I made sure my family plans were set, then I went to the hospital. I saw a post that the officer needed another surgery and a strict visitor policy was in place. I had no plans on actually getting to see the officer, but I had to be there in support of him and his family. I was not surprised to see many of his family, and 2 police officers all hanging out in the waiting area. Dayton PD has made sure we post an on duty officer there. The other officer was off duty and was a classmate of the injured officer. I shook the injured officers fathers hand and sat in between the 2 cops. I briefly spoke to the injured officers wife who is doing an incredible job of being strong. I stayed for a little over an hour talking with everyone there. We were told the surgery was done for today and he was back in his room. His parents were back with him. His father came out and said the officer was asking to see me. I almost got nervous. I walked back to his room.

I looked in and he said, "Hey Matt." He was quiet but alert. I smiled and said, "Hey, how's my brother?" He closed his eyes and then looked at me. "How's your girls?" This is the type of guy he his. Hit by a car, horrible injuries, just got out of surgery...and he wants to know how my kids are. I assured him they were great. He closed his eyes. I held his hand. He gripped my hand with both of his and took a deep breath. He told me the last thing he remembers was being with a specific officer, then talking with another officer he didn't know then going to the highway. The rest is blank. He has no recollection of the crash. I believe this is his brain protecting the body from further stress. Not reliving the stress that put him in this situation. I was able to give him the name of the last officer he spoke with. I then told him the entire police department was behind him and that whatever he needed, he would get. I told him of the love and support for him that I had received. His medicine was starting to kick in. His eyes were closing. He needed rest. He said, "Alright Matt, Thanks." I hugged his mom on my way out. She said he wanted to see the other officer and I sent the off duty officer back. I stayed a few more minutes and asked if anyone needed anything.

Throughout today, many people reached out. Officers, family, community members. I want to ask 2 things.

1. Please continue those prayers and well wishes for the officer and his family. I believe they are working.

2. If you are driving and see lights ahead, SLOW DOWN. Let me be clear that I am not saying this incident was caused by speed, maybe it was a factor, maybe not, ICE was definently a factor. But every incident can be helped if we all take away the thought ," I need to SLOW DOWN". Trust and believe as a full time working father, husband, and athlete...I'm busy and time management is crucial. I sometimes get in a hurry. I saw the Highway Patrol on the highway tonight and couldn't help but think "I hope those guys are safe tonight."

Last thought for tonight. Physical fitness. As I said yesterday, the injured officer loved weight lifting and was active in athletics. I strongly believe his fitness has helped him survive and will help his recovery. If you aren't taking care of yourself, start now. Walk a little, lift a little, do something. Strengthen your heart, strengthen your body. If the time comes that something bad happens, be in good shape to fight it.

I will update this again tomorrow or Tuesday as I go back to my shift tomorrow. I pray my brothers and sisters are safe. I pray the injured officer is able to rest and gets through tomorrows surgery with no complications. Thanks again for the love, Matt

layers...to every story

This blog won't have any funny pictures. I'm typing this out because I know its therapeutic. Others may be helped reading what I felt today. Some may never understand. I won't use his name because it hasn't been released. I will not say anything that hasn't been confirmed.

To start this off, I rewind to 12:30 am. About 21 hours ago. I was awakened by my cell phone ringing. I was told an officer had been hit by a car. I had to shake off the sleep and focus. I was told he was out of his car, helping a disables semi truck on 75 when a car slid on the ice. Struck the officer. Injuries were life threatening. Another officer texted me about the crash. I knew the conditions outside were horrible. Putting myself in a crash only hurts the scenario. I wanted to head to the hospital, but It wasn't the right time.  2:30 am the text comes in, leg may need amputated. My head is swirling. I text with a few other officers. Were in shock. One person said the officer was talking, another said he was unconscious. The officer was in surgery.



Rewind to April. The 104th recruit class graduates. I am assigned to train this officer. When you ride in a car for 10 hours a day for 2 months, a bond forms. When you ride with me, you usually get a home cooked dinner made by my wife most shifts. This officer had become not only a part of my BLUE Family, but a part of my regular family. My kids loved having him here. My rookies are always super stars to my kids. I enjoyed training him because he was smart, could get the paperwork done quick, and loved getting into stuff. A hard working husband and father, who also worked diligently on physical fitness. We differed on fitness, I loved cardio, he loves the weights. But we respected each others work as people who work our tails off being pulled in many directions yet succeeding at each.

Add in the current landscape of the media creating this divide between the public and the police. The blue family have to support each other a little more just to keep us safe. We may be odd, but we are family. I've been a police officer just over 14 years now. Today was the worst day. I was afraid we were going to lose a brother. I was afraid this officer wouldn't survive. This world needs more guys like him, we don't need to lose him.

Add in another layer. My wife's cousin just got the word yesterday that after he passes his medical exam, he starts the next recruit class in February to become a police officer. His wife is happy he gets the opportunity to answer the calling of public servant, but can you blame her for being worried. We know going into this job that its dangerous. We may not go home at the end of the shift. Though we will go through hell to try and make sure everyone does. There are other recruits out there that may now be asking... is this really what i want to get into? Those who are meant to be police officers know the danger is real, and face it anyway.

Here's another layer. I come to find out later in the day that another 2 officers saved the injured officers life by securing a tourniquet around the top of the leg. I don't know one of the 2, but the other I know a little better. I won't name him because when I told him I heard he saved the injured officers life, he said, " all I did was what I was trained to do." He was may more concerned with the injured officer and that officers wife...than any accolades for himself. Add to the layer that this officer is good friends with the injured officer. Hero?? I think so.

Smaller layer...when I got to help out at the Academy, I was a role player during First Aid scenarios. 2 recruits ran in, had to decide what to do first, remove me from the scene then tourniquet my leg or vice versa. either way...that training paid off. It is a testament to our Academy staff for training these officers to save lives. No one knew they would use it to save one of our own, before the year was over.

Grief stricken, I had to go to the hospital. I at least had to show support to his family. I just happened to arrive as his mom came out into the lobby. She remembered me from the graduation party and she insisted I walk back and see her son. I accepted only to hope to raise his spirits or just show support. He was asleep. His wife sleeping right next to him. I have never been so relieved just to see a guy breathing. I learned he was looking like he would pull through with a long recovery in front of him. I made sure his family knew if they needed anything, I would bring it.

Facebook lit up from many sources with tons of prayers. I hope those prayers continue for this young officer as he needs them. This incident really showed me what the BLUE FAMILY is all about. I wasn't the only one at the hospital. When he gets a little better, that hospital will be flooded with DPD. I can sleep a little better knowing he is going to make it. But then I hear the falling rain and know the temperatures are falling. I pray this incident isn't repeated, that all public servants and the public stay safe tonight. Know that the media doesn't always get the story correct, sometimes they put out what they think instead of waiting for facts.

This is just how I see things. How this effected me. I swear I feel exhausted from the emotions. If anyone was affected by this and needs to talk, I'm here for you. Call me, text me or come see me. Love to my DPD family