Hello Everyone,
This week I wanted to take just a few minutes to give a shout out to our Eastern Shawnee Police Department:
Police Chief Roudy Rogers, Investigator Aaron Bachman, School Resource Officer Ray Harvey, Asst. Police Chief Butch Crockett, Investigator Danny Petitt, Officer Andrew Hanson, Officer David Wright, Officer Kevin Dunkel, Sergeant Kelly Johnson, Investigator Jeremy Myers, Officer Mark Hickey, Officer David McCracken, Corporal Justin Keller, Officer Kolin Hall, Officer Brady Barnett, Officer Eddie Webb, and Officer Ryan Blankenship.
Also, a heartfelt remembrance of Eastern Shawnee Police Chief Tony Wisely (EOW 3/4/2016) and Officer Randy Jones (EOW 11/26/2015). Their passing was due to illnesses, but those who knew them, know that their heart never left the job. They took pride in protecting and serving not just the tribe, but the surrounding communities as well. They will always be remembered for their dedication to law enforcement and the many lives they touched throughout their service.
I am recognizing our officers, because it is National Police Week (May 11-17). This is a week in which a collaborative effort of many organizations are dedicated to honoring America’s law enforcement community. In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15thfalls, as National Police Week. So it’s also time to pay special tribute to those police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.
Our men and women in law enforcement make the choice to wake up every day, put on the uniform, go to work, protecting and serving us, not knowing what dangers await them. And although we pray for them to come home after every shift, some do not make it.
I also want to acknowledge, Corporal Ben Cooper, Officer Jake Reed, Officer Rickey Hirshey, and Captain William Davis, with the Joplin Police Department. Corporal Cooper and Officer Reed, were recently killed in the line of duty, after being shot at a disturbance call, on March 8th. Officer Hirshey was shot through his windshield, sustaining serious injuries to his face. He was released from the hospital 8 days later, but has a long recovery ahead of him. Captain William Davis was able to stop the suspect, preventing more death and injury from this heinous shooting spree. These officers heroic acts will never be forgotten.
Officer Hirshey, Captain Davis, and all those affected by the tragic loss of these brave officers, will forever carry the trauma and grief from that day.
Victims/survivors of crime, domestic violence, child abuse, they all carry a burden of overwhelming emotions and feelings. But very few are ever taught how to begin the process of healing and overcoming that trauma.
This brings me to something else that’s also recognized in May, and that is Mental Health Awareness. Right now, mental health needs are at an all time high. As was discussed at the all staff meeting, it is not getting better, even with Covid restrictions having been lifted over the past few months. Adults and children alike, are still struggling to go back to work/school, to resume outdoor activities, to carry on in-person conversations, and even express their feelings without the use of texting or social media. Socialization in and of itself is a struggle for many.
If you or someone you know, needs help, please don’t hesitate to reach out or encourage them to do so. I’ve attached some links below for more information.
http://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
http://www.crisistextline.org/
https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
Thank you for reading our FYI Friday this week, and I apologize for not keeping it short and sweet especially being so late on a Friday afternoon, but I wanted to be sure and thank our law enforcement.
From all of us here at Haven, THANK YOU EASTERN SHAWNEE POLICE DEPARTMENT, for coming to work, every day and night, to protect and serve us, and our surrounding communities. We appreciate you!!
