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General Category => Grab Bag => Topic started by: Pooh on April 07, 2011, 05:57:35 AM

Title: Prayers for my DH, a family and a Community today
Post by: Pooh on April 07, 2011, 05:57:35 AM
Good morning WWU.  I am asking you to join me today with comforting thoughts and prayers for many people.  I talk about my profession, and being married to an Officer, but I don't get into details too often.  Being an Officer's wife is difficult at times, and requires much patience and understanding.  I am lucky that I work in the 911 profession, so I understand the stress that the Officers are under, which makes it much easier for me to understand my DH's stress.  This week, I have watched him struggle, cry, get angry and deal with a difficult situation.  I have watched Officer's break down and cry, Dispatcher's question if they could continue and a family grieve tremendously.  It's been a rough week to say the least. 

The upside of a terrible situation is I have watched communities come together and rally around this family.  What has been unexpected, is watching strangers rally around these Officers.  In today's society where it seems like people are less caring at times, it has been a great reminder that there is still good in people.  Perfect strangers have come up to the Officers, and just patted their hands, gave them a hug or spoke kind words.  It has brought some of the most hardened men to their knees and for many of them that were questioning why they continue in this profession, it has reminded them why they chose it to begin with.

On Saturday, we lost a hero.  A 27 year veteran with the Chattanooga Police Department responded to an armed robbery in progress at a business.  The subject ran out a door and continued firing randomly at the Officers.  The Officer placed his car between the subject and the public and was struck in the head.  The other Officer was also shot, but was treated and released.  Sgt. Chapin lost his life protecting the people in the shopping center.  Other Officers arrived and took down the subject.  Not one single person in the business or the parking lot was struck due to Sgt. Chapin using himself and his car as a shield.

He was a wonderful Officer, a loving husband, an incredible father to two teenagers and was one of the most giving individuals you have ever met.  He was set to retire this summer.  My DH works for the same County that this department is in, and was called quickly to get their off-duty guys to come in to work.  It is the call that no one wants to receive.  They covered areas of their City and County because this department was devastated.  Dispatchers were immediately relieved of duty because they were in tears.  An entire County was brought to their knees because this man decided he needed to take what didn't belong to him.  It was not money that he ended up taking, it was a beautiful soul.

Today, they will lay him to rest.  He is receiving a service that is deserving of such a great man.  They expect over 1000 Officers to be there today.  My DH will be riding in the Motorcycle escort that will take him to his final resting place, and as I watched him this morning laying out his motor dress uniform, you could see how hard this day was going to be.  He was honored to be asked, but yet you could see the dread in his face as he placed his mourning band over his badge.

I am asking that at 1:00 p.m. EST, that you join me in sending peaceful thoughts and prayers to his family, his friends, this community and all his Law Enforcement family as they honor this hero. 

My problems seem very small today.

http://www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=14384721


Title: Re: Prayers for my DH, a family and a Community today
Post by: luise.volta on April 07, 2011, 06:00:29 AM
10:00 am here. I'm on it. Sending love...
Title: Re: Prayers for my DH, a family and a Community today
Post by: misunderstood on April 07, 2011, 06:36:31 AM
Prayers for all who are affected.  How tragic.
Title: Re: Prayers for my DH, a family and a Community today
Post by: AnonymousDIL on April 07, 2011, 06:38:36 AM
Absolutely will do.  :'(
Title: Re: Prayers for my DH, a family and a Community today
Post by: holliberri on April 07, 2011, 06:41:22 AM
Will do. So sorry, Pooh.
Title: Re: Prayers for my DH, a family and a Community today
Post by: FAFE on April 07, 2011, 07:03:28 AM
Prayers going up for this hero.  My SIL is in the business too.  I worry every day for his safety and that my daughter will never get that call.  Hugs all around, Pooh.  Give a big one to your husband and tell him we thank him for serving and protecting. 
Title: Re: Prayers for my DH, a family and a Community today
Post by: Pooh on April 07, 2011, 07:05:06 AM
Thank you everyone.  FAFE, thank you and I will do.  You tell your SIL the same.
Title: Re: Prayers for my DH, a family and a Community today
Post by: lancaster lady on April 07, 2011, 08:14:40 AM
Prayers for the unsung heroes and their families .
Also remembering the young officer killed needlessly in Northern Ireland last week .
Rest in Peace .
Title: Re: Prayers for my DH, a family and a Community today
Post by: Pen on April 07, 2011, 08:36:52 AM
We've lost one recently too...my thoughts are with you.
Title: Re: Prayers for my DH, a family and a Community today
Post by: LaurieS on April 07, 2011, 09:20:58 AM
I hope that the community continues it's loving support for the Sargent's wife and children for years to come.  This is a tragic loss that effects each and everyone of us, bless he who gave his life so we can enjoy our freedom.  Pooh what a beautiful honor for your husband to be a part of the motorcade, we will all be thinking of you and your husband, and of course our hearts go out to the family of Sgt Chapin.
Title: Re: Prayers for my DH, a family and a Community today
Post by: elsieshaye on April 07, 2011, 09:35:34 AM
I'm so sorry Pooh.  My thoughts will be with all of you at 1 pm.
Title: Re: Prayers for my DH, a family and a Community today
Post by: Nana on April 07, 2011, 10:19:02 AM
Will join you in my prayers

Love
Title: Re: Prayers for my DH, a family and a Community today
Post by: Rose799 on April 07, 2011, 05:30:05 PM
I'm a little late, but Sgt. Chapin's family, the community, & you & dh are in my prayers, Pooh...
Title: Re: Prayers for my DH, a family and a Community today
Post by: Tara on April 07, 2011, 08:52:07 PM
Pooh,

I'm very sorry and send my condolences.

Love and Blessings
Title: Re: Prayers for my DH, a family and a Community today
Post by: Pooh on April 08, 2011, 06:28:02 AM
Thank you everyone.  It was a beautiful service that was very dignified but personal.  They web streamed the entire service so I was able to watch it.  There was over 4,000 people in attendance, plus a multitude of the community that lined the streets.  Tim loved his Church and the Pastor gave him a very fitting tribute.  The Chief of Police, broke down during his eulogy, which was hard to watch, and for me, the hardest part is when the Dispatchers go across the radios and give the "final call".

My DH hard a hard time with it, but stood proud with his fellow Officers.  There were 17 agencies represented in the Motorcade and he said it was amazing when Motor Officers showed up from all different states.  Two Mississippi Officers pulled in beside him and he was in awe that they came from that far away.  He said he was fine until the Chattanooga Motors pulled in and starting hugging him.  He is very close to some of them as they work together all the time.

I wanted to share a video with you guys, that a helicopter took about a minute of the aerial of the procession to show you how many Law Enforcement agencies showed up.  It is very humbling and inspiring at the same time.  The Church where they held the service was about a mile from the Cemetery, and they walked behind the horse drawn carriage all the way.  One of the horses that pulled him, was one of the horses that pulled Ronald Reagan.  And they walked another horse behind him, without a rider.  They said it is called "The Riderless Horse", and in the stirrups were his boots, facing backwards.  It was to signify that he was looking back over his family and friends.  I had never seen that, but it was poignant to me. 

If you watch the video, you will see all the Motors lined up on both sides of the road (my DH is in those).  The Motors in the front of the procession, were the Chattanooga Officers.

Thank you again for all the thoughts yesterday.

http://vimeo.com/22108000
Title: Re: Prayers for my DH, a family and a Community today
Post by: jill on April 08, 2011, 11:10:30 AM
Dear Pooh,
Funerals of policemen always bring tears to my eyes, no matter where they are.  They put their lives on the line for us every day.  My condolences to you and your DH............Jill
Title: Re: Prayers for my DH, a family and a Community today
Post by: Tara on April 08, 2011, 02:22:37 PM
Pooh,

thanks for sharing the video, it was good to see. 

The death of your friend really touches my heart.
Title: Re: Prayers for my DH, a family and a Community today
Post by: lancaster lady on April 08, 2011, 02:42:01 PM
dearest Pooh:
how sad and touching to watch .... :'(