Sunday, November 29, 2009

A VERY SAD DAY

My heart is breaking....this Sunday morning at 8:15am and a lone man walked into a Forza Coffee Shop and gunned down four Lakewood, Washington police officers. Three males and one female officer had gathered in the coffee shop, laptops open, they were planning their day serving my community. We have 102 commissioned officers in Lakewood and now 4 are gone, murdered by some sleaze bag.

It was just on Halloween night that an officer was killed at point blank range in Seattle, while he sat in his car doing reports with a trainee. Even those of us here in Tacoma (Lakewood) some 30 miles south of Seattle were touched by that needless death. I watched as thousands of law enforcement and fire department personnel gathered for that officer's funeral. Fortunately that alleged shooter has been captured.

Now...just a month later this horrific thing has happened just a few miles from my home....in my community.

Please take a moment today and say a prayer for the families and friends of these officers. Also, this was carried out in a coffee shop....there were other people in there who were not injured physically but to witness something like this would be emotionally injuring. I understand the witness are in shock and very traumatized.

As a post script~since I wrote this entry.....I've found out that one of the officers killed is the uncle of one of my friend's grand daughter.

32 comments:

Doc said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ken Riches said...

It is tragic, they are in my thoughts and prayers.

Joyce said...

I can't even imagine the pain of this event for the families and the community Linda. My prayers are with all.
Hugs, Joyce

Gerry said...

I removed one comment noting it appeared under Doc's name, so I got out of that name, but I felt compelled to comment on such a tragic happening, and so many are going to be affected in the area where this happened. Why, why are members of our society so vicious in some kind of savage revenge with cop killing? It is so unfair. Everybody will need prayer to deal with this.

ADB said...

My sympathies go out to the families of those who lost their life in such a needless fashion. My thoughts are with the residents of Lakewood, who lost 4 dedicated officers.

Trees said...

This is so very tragic, my heart goes out the family of these slain officers and to your community that are grieving over this horrendous act. Each day, even here in Toronto, not one day goes by that somone is not killed by a gunman either drive by, or random act. This past week alone at least 5 people have been shot. Where I used to live, right across the street, a polic offer was shot to death and left on the ground. It turns out that we knew these men who shot the office, distantly, but still knew of them, two brothers who had long records. They names a street after him where the current police station is. I pray for peace but it seems very distant in thse troubled times. I also extend my sympathy to you Linda, as I know you are so kind and compassionate and this has greatly saddened you.

garnett109 said...

keeping those in my thoughts and prayers

Jimmy's Journal said...

I saw the reports earlier and I immediately thought of you. Senseless shootings like these make me very angry and my hope is that they "take care" of the assassin who did this.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families.

Stay safe!
Jimmy

Anonymous said...

Linda, every night before going to sleep I pray for many people, mostly family. Within the last year we had so many fireman, police officers killed in the Philly aream that have added them as a group. I will certainly add
this four to that group. As a matter of fact I think I will add all of them in the entire USA no matter where they are located.
Understand and feel your concern. Bill

betty said...

that is soooo sad, Linda; keeping all in my prayers

betty

Barb said...

Oh my gosh. I am in tears reading this. So many families lives changed and lifes shortened because an evil person decided they would take their lifes. I am so sorry for these families. I pray that God and his angels take them into their wings and give them strength. So senseless.

DB said...

Awful. It's a wonder any cop makes it to retirement these days. I was shoked to read this.

Jan said...

What a tereble thing to happen Linda ,I will pray for the poor families ,What is happening in the world today is beyond my comprehension ,...love Jan xx

Kathy said...

I just had read the artical on AOL news about this shooting. Makes me so sad and sickened at the act of murdering 4 peace officers.

As the mother of a law enforcement officer, it scares me. I also know a Tacoma police officer and pray he was not one of those killed.

Thanks for posting this

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I will be praying for their families and all in the community as I'm sure that it is traumatic for every one. Senseless crimes like this just break my heart. Lord help us.

Frances said...

Such a senseless tragedy, just like the shootings in Fort Hood, Tx. It is so sad we can't even feel safe in our own country anymore. Will keep them in my prayers, too.

Beth said...

That's so tragic, Linda. My thoughts are with the officers' families.

Traci said...

What a horror. So sorry to hear of this.

Jeannette said...

What a terrible tragedy, my thoughts are with the families. I just cannot understand why there is so much violence and hatred in the world today.

Martha said...

I heard about this earlier today and thought about you and Monica. It's a horrible tragedy. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families.

Linda :) said...

Son2 was just telling me what happened... So very very sad.....

Linda S. Socha said...

A sad situation and needless. I have no real comprehension of these senseless acts of violence
Linda

Marlene said...

I heard about this on the news and said "well, there goes another one." But now that I know someone in the area, it makes it a little more personal and sickening. I know your heart is breaking and I will keep you and the families in my prayers.

Julie said...

I just read about it, how terrible and sad. The families are in my prayers.

Sugar said...

i heard of this earlier. & saw your post on fb re it, left u a comment there.
sent prayers for all those involved.

Sharon said...

This is the worst news, very sad and pointless, misdirected anger. Prayers for you and your community to heal and catch this creep!

Linda Lee said...

My heart breaks for the families of the officers and those in your community. A senseless act like this is a tragedy for all in law enforcement- we forget how these men and women put their lives at stake for all of us everyday. My prayers are with the families and your community.

Sandi Doscher said...

Oh Linda what a horrible thing to have happened. My deepest sympathies go to the family and friends of these officers. My SIL, BIL, hubby's grandad were or are all officers..so the thought of this hits home very deeply....a sad day....Sandi

Heli gunner Tom said...

Hi Linda,
|I heard about that terrible news on TV... sad. The sick perp should be hung out to dry for 100 years or so, or shot in the head a few times, IMHO.

I pray that your future is brighter and filled with happiness.

Cordially,
Tom Schuckman
tschuckman@aol.com
Disabled Vietnam Veteran: 68-70
Wisconsin

Marie Rayner said...

Oh my Linda, how senseless, how tragic. I shall keep their families and your community in my prayers. xxoo

Ally Lifewithally said...

Linda I heard about this on TV and thought of you knowing it must be near to you ~ Such a senseless act of violence and so tragic ~ keeping the familes in my thoughts and prayers ~ Ally x

Pamela said...

I had heard about this on the radio. So tragic. What a huge loss to your community. Keeping their families in my prayers.