I was back in the dark and dank hallway near downtown San Diego when the explosive breaching team cleared an alternative entry point to the right of the front door. We were preparing an observation or secondary entry point via the armed suspect's closet. I still recall the plastic explosives "rocked" all of us and knocked my ballistic helmet down hard across the bridge of my nose.
As I pushed up my helmet the suspect began firing his weapon through the front door. I could not see the bullets only hear the smaller explosions and the metal on metal mechanical sounds of his weapon cycling as the splintering wood holes appeared on the surface of the wooden door allowing small round beams of light to leak out of his barricaded residence and illuminate the soiled carpet outside his front door.
As I reflected briefly on those past critical moments, I could not help but think of the Pasadena Police Officer and his fellow team members. I then quietly folded the newspaper and told all three of our sons I wanted them to come to the SWAT banquet tonight so they could meet some real heroes. Our middle son Raymond asked, "Dad were you a hero?" I quickly replied, "No son, not me. I was just doing my job."
I explained the real heroes were the people who came to the golf tournament and donated their hard earned money in order to buy equipment to help the SWAT Team save lives. In unison, both Raymond and Ryan laughed out loud and yelled out, "Oh That's great dad! You tell the SWAT Officers tonight they are not heroes. Let us know how it works out for you?"
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| Ray with San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, SDPD Chief of Police Shelly Zimmerman and Citizens for SWAT Co-Chair Dan Barnett. |
I asked them to tell me who are the people who donate the money if they are not heroes?
Ryan always quick with an answer said, "There the money people dad."
After several more exchanges Ryan stuck by his opinion insisting they were simply, "money people." Why could I not understand that?
Later in the evening as the auctioneer asked for donations and people started raising their hands I felt like I always do at that time of the event, very uncomfortable. I don't like asking anyone for money, but I also know the reality is that very generous citizens and businesses are vital to providing SWAT Officers with the best equipment available to carry out their hazardous duties.
I also know SWAT and Police Officers see themselves as courageous and honorable people who enter harms way for a cause greater than themselves. To them both the citizens and companies including long time supporters Mor Furniture, Serta and Echo Pacific Construction are the real heroes.
To Troy, Raymond and Ryan's point yes, SWAT Officers can be heroes. The four California Law Enforcement Officers killed last week are certainly heroes that will never be forgotten. They were dads, brothers and sons who will no longer be able to banter with their children, parents or siblings about "Money People" and other such interesting things.
It is another reason why Police and Sheriffs Departments across this great country need regular citizens to help them. Law enforcement agencies can no longer do it alone.
By the way, Citizens for SWAT raised over $100,000.00 dollars this year to help make our community and our police officers a bit safer.
Thank you.
