He was Just a Cop

Flags were hung at half-mast at most government buildings throughout the state.

Thousands of law enforcement personnel converged on the city from surrounding counties. They parked their official vehicles in front of bus stops, shopping areas, and parking meters. They even double and triple parked near the Cathedral where the funeral was held.

Traffic was snarled more than usual in the capitol city and patience was at a premium.

Light rail trains stopped dead in their tracks two stations before the cathedral. Passengers were asked to board one of the shuttle buses at the curb to travel beyond the services.

City buses were detoured for blocks around the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and people were forced to walk to their destinations in unusually frigid temperatures. Their heads hung low against the cold wind giving everyone the appearance of mourners involved in the solemnities.

At the end of the services a procession of dignitaries assembled and moved slowly across the city. Intersections were blocked and the route was guarded by stern faces and stiffened stance. Hundreds of police and fire cars, with their lights flashing, followed the hearse to the burial site where hundreds of uniformed officers lined the driveway. Helicopters hovered above and reverence settled like a fog across the scene.
Throughout the surrounding neighborhoods the city bus service was disrupted. The procession followed a popular bus route and intersected with many others. People were inconvenienced.

The officer being eulogized had laid down his life for the self same people now scurrying to find their way in a disrupted city. It was a small price to pay for his sacrifice. Tempers were held in check, for the most part.

Except for one man. He had been asked to leave his train at the station and board a bus that would take him closer to his destination. He began to grumble, to himself at first but then more loudly to those who hurried to the bus with him.

Someone must have told him about the funeral that was underway.

Another person chimed in that the train stopping was to honor a fallen officer.

The people nodded and moved along.

The man boarded and shuffled quickly down the aisle. He found himself a seat and the bus departed.

He was fuming and fussing as he fumbled for his cell phone.

Passengers seated nearby could hear the operator on the other end of the phone.

"Sir, we are sorry. Your train was stopped and we are detouring passengers around the funeral being held downtown today. We apologize for the inconvenience."

The man muttered some choice expletives and then retorted, "He was JUST a cop!"

Note: Please visit the links listed under "Resources" to learn more of this valiant deputy and the worth of his soul in the lives of those around him.