Ducatimom
New member
I just want to start off by saying this is not about a beloved pet, but rather about a good man and friend of mine.
Two years ago today Josh responded to a call (he was a police officer in my hometown) to deliver a warrant. What happened after that will be forever burned in my head. The man opened fire and shot Josh through the door. For whatever reason Josh was not wearing his vest that day. His wife (another good friend of mine. We all went to high school together), was working at the ER when this happened and Josh was rushed to the hospital for his bullet wounds. Unfortunately there was nothing they could do and he passed. Luckily they were able to say one final goodbye before that happened. The man who shot Josh ended up shooting himself and passed away shortly after he was detained.
I'm sorry. I know it's a gruesome story but it's still hard to think about 2 years later. It is very comforting to have somewhere to say all of this. The amount that my little hometown has done in his memory is astounding. Jill got so much in donations that she set up a scholarship fund for graduating seniors in the surrounding area who are wanting to go into law enforcement. Everybody who used to work with him (my mother included) set up an organization that also gives out scholarships as well as organize events dedicated to Josh. Today there is a banquet and they do a trek around this time where you can walk, run, bike, etc. from the courthouse to his burial site. I hope to attend that next year. My father while on the city council built a park on an unused patch of land dedicated to Josh, with a flag and a plaque telling Josh's story.
So with that I have a request. If you work in law enforcement, please please please wear your vest. Even if you're just going to answer a noise complaint. Where the bullets hit Josh it may not have saved his life but it would've at least increased his chances.
Thank you for reading my story. Again sorry if it was a little gruesome, but it feels good just getting it out there.
Two years ago today Josh responded to a call (he was a police officer in my hometown) to deliver a warrant. What happened after that will be forever burned in my head. The man opened fire and shot Josh through the door. For whatever reason Josh was not wearing his vest that day. His wife (another good friend of mine. We all went to high school together), was working at the ER when this happened and Josh was rushed to the hospital for his bullet wounds. Unfortunately there was nothing they could do and he passed. Luckily they were able to say one final goodbye before that happened. The man who shot Josh ended up shooting himself and passed away shortly after he was detained.
I'm sorry. I know it's a gruesome story but it's still hard to think about 2 years later. It is very comforting to have somewhere to say all of this. The amount that my little hometown has done in his memory is astounding. Jill got so much in donations that she set up a scholarship fund for graduating seniors in the surrounding area who are wanting to go into law enforcement. Everybody who used to work with him (my mother included) set up an organization that also gives out scholarships as well as organize events dedicated to Josh. Today there is a banquet and they do a trek around this time where you can walk, run, bike, etc. from the courthouse to his burial site. I hope to attend that next year. My father while on the city council built a park on an unused patch of land dedicated to Josh, with a flag and a plaque telling Josh's story.
So with that I have a request. If you work in law enforcement, please please please wear your vest. Even if you're just going to answer a noise complaint. Where the bullets hit Josh it may not have saved his life but it would've at least increased his chances.
Thank you for reading my story. Again sorry if it was a little gruesome, but it feels good just getting it out there.