Mourning a Loss

This morning our hearts are very heavy because last night we lost a member of our police family. Officer Julius Moore passed away 9 days after a vehicle accident. Officer Moore was just 23 years old. We hear the phrase often that someone had their whole life ahead of them. At 23, Officer Moore really did have his whole life ahead of him. He and his wife were raising their three young children together, planting roots and planning their children’s futures. Now his wife and children, parents, sister and extended family and friends are planning for his funeral. The grief is indescribable. The loss is inexplicable. Please pray for the entire Moore family and please pray for the Metropolitan Police Department family as well. I said to the men and women of our department last night that leaning on one another, we will get through this. But that doesn’t mean we will hurt any less.

Difficult Week for the Metropolitan Police Department

Last week was among the toughest the Metropolitan Police Department Family has faced in a long time. On Monday, one of our officers was shot five times during a home invasion and robbery. The same incident left one woman dead and another injured. Our condolences and prayers go out to the families of all of those involved. Our officer is amazing her doctors, her family and all of us with her sheer will and determination to recover. On Tuesday, another one of our officers was critically injured in a vehicle accident while responding to a call. He remains in critical condition as of this writing and his family remains by his bedside around the clock. Please pray for the officer and his family. On Friday, a teenager was sentenced to life plus 50 years for the 2007 shooting death of Officer Norvelle Brown. It brings an end to the legal proceedings but the only thing that could truly bring comfort to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Brown would be if this tragic, senseless shooting had never happened to begin with. Last week reminded all of us inside the department of the dangers of this job, though it’s really something that’s never far from the front of our minds anyway. Our officers aren’t always applauded in the press. They don’t make the biggest salaries. They don’t work the shortest hours. Yet their resolve, their commitment and their courage in the face of danger never cease to amaze me. Please keep the families of all of those involved in your prayers and please pray for the men and women of this department as they go out to face another day.