Amid the at-times violent uproar over the tragic death of George Floyd, so many have forgotten the heroism that members of law enforcement commit every day all across our nation. At any given moment, these brave Americans risk life and limb protecting all of us. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice. Here are just a few recent examples of such heroic individuals.
1. David Dorn
In the current climate, it’s appropriate to take a moment to honor David Dorn, whose life was taken as a direct result of anti-police sentiment inflamed by the death of Floyd. A former St. Louis police captain, Dorn’s character and service were held in the highest regard in his community.
“David Dorn was a man of great character who dedicated his life to helping others and protecting his neighborhood,” said U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, As reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “…His life of honor and dedication reminds us of the vital service the good men and women of law enforcement render to our communities every day. We depend on them, people like David Dorn.”
The retired Dorn was senselessly murdered trying to protect a neighborhood pawnshop from looters during the recent Black Lives Matter protests. Sadly, the media offered little by way of tribute or reflection for the life-long public servant.
St. Louis Police Department
2. Cameron Kinsey
Cameron Kinsey, a sheriff’s deputy in Palmdale, CA, recently saved an 11-month-old boy from choking. While ensuring the peace during local protests, the deputy saw two distressed women run toward him with a child in their arms. According to the Antelope Valley Press, Kinsey’s swift action saved the child’s life.
“Kinsey conducted a medical assessment. He checked the baby’s airways, breathing and pulse, and gave him a couple more pats on the back to try to dislodge whatever was stuck in the baby’s throat. The baby had turned blueish,” the outlet reported. “Kinsey opened the baby’s airway with a mouth sweep procedure with his finger. The baby started crying and breathing again.”
Kinsey’s actions are significant in part because they are common among law enforcement. That such acts of heroism go unnoticed is a travesty, especially as law enforcement continues to be endlessly vilified by the media and elsewhere.
Los Angeles County Police Department
3. David Patrick Underwood
Federal Protective Officer David Patrick Underwood was killed in a drive-by shooting during recent BLM protests in Oakland, CA. According to a local CBS affiliate in San Francisco, the 53-year-old Underwood was gunned down while working security at Oakland’s Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building complex.
Praised by his friends and family, Underwood went into law enforcement to better serve his community. Like David Dorn, Underwood is not a hero because of some singular grand act of bravery and courage but instead because of a steadfast willingness to uphold and raise the standards of the community.
Underwood’s eloquent eulogy given by Pastor Alvin Bernstine summarizes what so many people feel amid the widespread vilification of law enforcement.
“We’re not crying Black tears, we’re not crying White tears,” said Bernstine. “We’re crying human tears. We’re not crying Republican tears or Democratic tears, we’re crying heartbreak tears. We’re not crying law enforcement tears or law-deprived tears. We’re crying justice tears.”
Pinole Police Department
4. William Kimbro
William Kimbro, a South Carolina deputy, saved a 12-month-old baby last June. According to ABC7, Kimbro’s body camera captured the anxious moments as he diligently administered CPR to the infant:
“Kimbro’s body camera captured the tense moments as he performed life-saving CPR. ‘Come on, baby. Cry for me. Cry for me. Come on, open those eyes, sweetheart. There you go,’ Kimbro could be heard saying. ‘I’m worried about her, because she starts breathing and then she stops. And then starts and then stops.’”
Not only did baby Ryleigh make a full recovery, Deputy Kimbro is now officially her godfather. Kimbro’s actions transformed three lives and transcended the superficialities of race and color that continue to beleaguer our nation.
One year ago today, Berkeley County Deputy William Kimbro saved 12 day old Ryleigh's life during a traffic stop. Last night. Ryleigh surprised Kimbro and his wife..asking them to be her godparents. An awesome update, from an elated officer. @BerkCoSheriff pic.twitter.com/a20Oid7Wzm
— Scott Eisberg (@SEisbergWCIV) June 11, 2020
5. Jonathan Wiese
In mid-June, Jonathan Wiese, a San Diego K9 officer, rescued a pair of two-year-old twins in spectacular fashion after the girls’ desperate, suicidal father plunged their vehicle off a cliff and into the ocean.
With the aid of fellow officers, Wiese scaled the cliff, swam toward the upturned vehicle, and rescued the girls. Weise’s training as a Marine came in handy according to ABC10.
“He said the truck acted as a break from the surf while he gathered his thoughts, and a memory hit from his time in the Marine Corps,” ABC10 reported. “‘They taught you how to do water safety rescues and I had a little flashback of okay grab him under the armpit and push him so I swam and held them above water,’ bringing them to shore.”
SDPD Police Chief David Nisleit commented on Weise’s actions and stated, “That’s probably the most heroic thing I’ve seen in my 32 years.”
Weise responded to the praise in characteristic humility.
“I didn’t do the job to be liked every day, I didn’t do it to become rich, I did it because I want to be out there making a difference and helping people, as cliche as that might sound, but I was just glad I could be there,” he said.
San Diego Police Department
6. Stephen Williams
In a poignant, emotional service for Sgt. Stephen Williams of Moody, Alabama, some 1,000 mourners came to pay their respects for his ultimate sacrifice. According to AL, Williams was recently shot and killed in a gunfight after responding to a 911 call made at a local Super 8 Motel.
Sgt. Williams’ own memorable words on service that seemed to foreshadow his own death were read at his funeral. As reported by AL, those words exemplify the brave men and women of all colors and from all walks of life that serve in law enforcement all across our great nation:
“Please don’t cry for me. I’ve lived and loved on principles such as truth, honor and courage. Don’t cry for me because I made the sacrifice I might have to make, and I accepted that risk anyway. Don’t cry for me. I was proud to be a part of something special and something amazing and I am confident I made a difference in the lives of those who needed me.
“Don’t cry for me because I have the most incredible wife and the most incredible family. My brothers and sisters in blue, I love you all. Smile for me for I am in a new place and it is beautiful, where there is no hurting, and no crying and no suffering. I am welcome here and I finally get to rest. You see I am no longer on watch but know that I am watching over you. And I’ll be smiling because I love you still.”
Moody Police Department
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