Finally, this story epitomizes how we should treat one another and why officers join organizations like the PBA and fight for what is right in our profession. Oftentimes people forget their fellowship. I'm not sure if it's a generational thing, but at times folks get caught up in fighting one another and simply lose the brotherhood/sisterhood feel. It's disheartening to hear some of the stories about what our fellow officers do to each other and their families, so when we hear a great story it gives us hope that all has not been lost.

Our collective goodwill was on full display recently and I think it is, as people are fond of saying now, "a teachable moment." One of our Homestead PBA members had a brother who was very ill. The officer had been invited on a church trip to the Peace River and he was not planning on going, because he wanted to be there if something happened to his brother. His sick brother convinced him to go on the trip. Unfortunately, his brother took a turn for the worst and passed away while he was on the church outing. The family contacted the PBA and asked if we could help them find the officer who was somewhere on the River. No other information could be provided.

Our PBA representatives reached out to our PBA/SLEO President, Matt Tyre, who worked with FWC Officers Jorden Hilliard and Andy Taylor. They located the officer somewhere in the woods and coordinated getting him back to Homestead in record time. The Homestead officer did not have transportation as he traveled with the Church bus and was provided the assistance needed to get back home to tend to the family affairs. This type of commitment, my friends, is what we should always be about with our fellow officers. It would have been so easy to do nothing in this case, but the right choice was to act and help. We must take care of each other. Regardless of what department or political party we belong to - we are foremost officers and we must treat each other as family. We must stop the poor display of courtesy and respect when we stop an officer or family member, or the callous attitudes when responding to a call for assistance. No one helps us but us!

I'm going to close with this sentiment. People are angry right now about a whole host of things, but we cannot allow ourselves to be angry, selfish and uncaring with each other. At the end of the day, we are part of a giant family of officers. We have to stick together. No excuses allowed!!!


John Rivera
President