FOP Journal Spring 2011 : Page 7

1ST VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE / DAVID HILLER Willing to Die if Necessary // WRITE TO US! If you have further questions, contact David Hiller at hillerd@fop.net. the FOP Journal Coming Soon to Summer Issue O n December 22, 2010, a funeral was held here in Detroit for an officer killed in the line of duty. The slain officer was U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry. Terry was killed in a gun battle near Nogales, Arizona, near the U.S and Mexico border. While I did not know Terry personally, he was a student in the late 90s at the local academy where I teach. His first job out of the academy was with a local police department. He would later move on to the U.S. Border Patrol. As you would expect, there were a great number of families, but it is extremely difficult. What do you say when a little one asks you to help bring back their daddy? What do you tell a grieving mother who says it’s just not fair? Words often fail me, but we try to do the best we can. Maybe the reason we do it can best be explained by one of our heroes. I make reference to an article by Associ-ated Press journalist Corey Williams published in The Arizona Republic . In the article, he printed a note written by Terry to a friend: Use-of-Force Advice Guide to the 60th Biennial National FOP Conference and Expo Police Week Coverage Holsters: What You Must Know UNFORTUNATELY, AS WE ALL KNOW SO WELL, FAR TOO MANY OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS ARE KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. IN JANUARY OF 2011 ALONE, 11 WERE KILLED. Latest Innovations for Uniforms, Weapon Lasers and Lights FOP Youth Camp in Nashville officers present for the funeral. Also present was Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Unfortunately, as we all know so well, far too many of our broth-ers and sisters are killed in the line of duty. In January of 2011 alone, 11 were killed. Why, then, do we do it? Why do we risk our lives day after day and week after week? Obviously, it’s not for the money. With the recent attacks on our unions and benefits that we have worked for, it makes you wonder even more. Every year I am honored to pres-ent the Medal of Valor to the surviving families of those brave heroes at our National Memorial Service on May 15. We try to convey our feelings to the WWW.FOP.NET “If you seek to do battle with me this day, you’ll receive the best I am capable of giving. It may not be enough, but it will be everything I have to give. You may defeat me, but you will be lucky to escape with your life. You may kill me, but I’m willing to die if necessary. “I do not fear death for I have been close enough to it on numerous occa-sions that it no longer concerns me. What I do fear is the loss of my honor, and would rather die fighting than to have it said that I was without courage.” Rest assured, brother Terry, that your honor and courage will never be challenged, nor will that of all of the other heroes who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. FOP Can’t wait? Visit www.fopconnect.com to sign up for e-newsletters. 7

1st Vice President’s Message

Willing to Die if Necessary WRITE TO US! If you have further questions, contact David Hiller at hillerd@fop.net. On December 22, 2010, a funeral was held here in Detroit for an officer killed in the line of duty.The slain officer was U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry. Terry was killed in a gun battle near Nogales, Arizona, near the U.S and Mexico border. While I did not know Terry personally, he was a student in the late 90s at the local academy where I teach. His first job out of the academy was with a local police department. He would later move on to the U.S. Border Patrol. As you would expect, there were a great number of Officers present for the funeral. Also present was Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Unfortunately, as we all know so well, far too many of our brothers and sisters are killed in the line of duty. In January of 2011 alone, 11 were killed. Why, then, do we do it? Why do we risk our lives day after day and week after week? Obviously, it’s not for the money. With the recent attacks on our unions and benefits that we have worked for, it makes you wonder even more. Every year I am honored to present the Medal of Valor to the surviving families of those brave heroes at our National Memorial Service on May 15.We try to convey our feelings to the Families, but it is extremely difficult. What do you say when a little one asks you to help bring back their daddy? What do you tell a grieving mother who says it’s just not fair? Words often fail me, but we try to do the best we can. Maybe the reason we do it can best be explained by one of our heroes. I make reference to an article by Associated Press journalist Corey Williams published in The Arizona Republic. In the article, he printed a note written by Terry to a friend: “If you seek to do battle with me this day, you’ll receive the best I am capable of giving. It may not be enough, but it will be everything I have to give. You may defeat me, but you will be lucky to escape with your life. You may kill me, but I’m willing to die if necessary. “I do not fear death for I have been close enough to it on numerous occasions that it no longer concerns me.What I do fear is the loss of my honor, and would rather die fighting than to have it said that I was without courage.” Rest assured, brother Terry, that your honor and courage will never be challenged, nor will that of all of the other heroes who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Previous Page Next Page

Publication List
Using a screen reader? Click Here