Shock and Anger Turn To Pride and Support For Our Police

Nate Turgeon's dad is a New Bedford Police Officer.  It's a tough time to be a cop but Nate is proud of his father and his chosen profession.

A memorial service was held today for five Dallas Police Officers who were assassinated last week for simply wearing blue...and being white.  Being a cop in today's racially charged atmosphere is rough.  It takes it's toll.  But Nate is proud and wants the world to know it.  Several folks stopped to photograph the flag that honors fallen police officers that was waving from the back of Nate's Jeep as it sat in the parking lot near work today.  I did as well.

Officers Patricio Zamarripa, Brent Thompson, Michael Krol, Lorne Ahrens and Michael Smith became reluctant heroes when they were gunned down in Dallas last week while protecting a mostly peaceful demonstration over officer involved shootings in two states. They are forever synonymous now with the racial struggle that exists in America as are 11 year old Denise McNair and 14 year olds Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Addie Mae Collins who were killed in the bombing of the 16th Street Baptiste Church in Birmingham in 1963.  Their only crime was being black.

It is my hope that the deaths of those five police officers, like the deaths of the four innocent young girls in Birmingham can lead to meaningful change. Lasting change will require hard work, less rhetoric and a desire to live in a more peaceful society that respects all people regardless of the color of their skin.

Dr. King took us this far.  We must now finish the journey.