For Bradley, Illinois Police Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic and her partner Patrol Officer Tyler Bailey, this no doubt seemed to be a fairly routine call about a barking dog. It’s this kind of simple nuisance call that has become part and parcel of police work. But minutes after arriving on the scene, Officer Bailey was critically injured, and Sergeant Rittmanic was killed. It was no doubt another routine call when veteran Fire Captain Vidal “Max” Fortuna, of Stockton California Fire and Rescue, was dispatched to dumpster fire. But this dumpster fire would prove fatal for Captain Fortuna, as he fell victim to a gunshot wound. NYPD Officers Jason Rivera and Wilber Mora were gunned down while attempting to deescalate a domestic disturbance at a Harlem apartment. On Monday of this week, Gary Police Sergeant William Fazekas was shot after responding to a call of shots fired. Tragically, this list could continue. First responders, whether police or firefighter/medics, know the inherent dangers of their chosen profession. Death and serious injuries are an expected part of their vocation. What is not expected are random, unprovoked, and often deadly acts of violence. Amid the violence being directed at first responders, there are increasing calls to support our police and firefighters. It seems unthinkable to not support the women and men who risk their lives to protect and serve us each and every day. As police officers and firefighters are laid to rest, the words of comfort offered by clergy seem tragically all-too-familiar. It’s as if we’ve developed a vocabulary of mourning for our first responders; a poignant vocabulary that lessens the immediate pain, but does little to resolve the underlying issues that perpetuate the violence against them. As people of faith, we are called to pray for each and every first responder. We must pray for the families of police and firefighters who have been killed in the line of duty. Consistent with our Wesleyan heritage, our prayer must be lived, not merely spoken. We affirm our dependence upon God in prayer, and in return God sends us forth into the world to continue the work of His good creation. This implies supporting our first responders by standing strong against the forces that perpetuate violence. As communities of faith, we must join with our first responders to better understand how we can support their work and mission. What concrete steps can we collectively undertake to build bridges of understanding between police, firefighters and the people that they tirelessly serve? I am asking both of our congregations to join with me each day, for the next seven days, in a time of prayer for our first responders. Your prayer need not be long or extensive. Simply praying in gratitude for those who serve and protect us; and asking for God’s wisdom and guidance to stand against a culture where those who serve can be senselessly killed. Blessings, Pastor Tom Comments are closed.
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October 2022
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