Shift Forward

Have you ever been pulled over for a traffic violation? How did you feel? Who were you angry at?

My irritation at law enforcement has flared at Boston Logan Airport. State troopers there are tasked with keeping traffic flowing. They prevent cars from stopping at all costs. Invariably, the flashing lights will intimidate drivers from standing still – even long enough to seek out the waiting traveler. On one occasion I witnessed the driver in front of me receive a hefty $100 plus ticket. The party was trying to wave down family on the other end of the platform. The state trooper, still there when the party returned with happy family and luggage, refused to rescind the ticket. I was furious and thought “how callous!” Can’t these troopers flex with the regulations and consider individual needs?

These regulations as it turns out are upheld at some risk. Death is the ultimate cost when law enforcement professionals put themselves in harms way to keep our lives safe and orderly. That cost of harms way was paid by my brother-in-law Mark Dunakin Marcy 21, 2009. He and his partner were killed by gunshot in Oakland, CA. They were killed in the line of duty, in this case at a traffic stop.

To honor Mark and the other 116 police officers killed on duty in 2009, my family and I joined the over 2000 survivors of the fallen to remember their sacrifice during National Police Week in Washington, D.C. At a candlelight vigil at the National Law Enforcement Memorial, we saw Mark’s name etched on the memorial wall. In the wake of an emotional candle-lighting ceremony during which each survivor lit his/her neighbor’s candle, a voice read every name in a roll call of the fallen.

Some of those fallen may have been the sort that ticked me off – perhaps by an unfeeling warning, a reprimand, or the infamous ticket. Nevertheless, I have seen the other side of all that. The survivors carry forward the memory of an individual who died while serving a role that I might have taken for granted previously.

Though I’ll never sign up for law enforcement duty,today I am conscious of a certain courage and decision that compels the men and women in law enforcement. Their tough job renders them vulnerable. They might be shot by a bullet or a complaint. People might misunderstand their vigilance in enforcing laws that govern our cities, state, and country.

I can see the other side now – not that those who wear a badge are without flaw. I see heart and solidarity. The policemen and policewomen band together. They support one another and follow through on orders that consider justice. These peace officers work on my behalf. Some at great cost. In the moist eyes of survivor children and wives my past irritation haunts me. Let it be replaced with respect  for the service, commitment, and courage. Let me say to you who put yourself in harms way, I uphold your service in my mind as worthy of admiration. Thank you.