Anything but ordinary....

When I hear stories about police heroism, like the most recent story of an Oklahoma police officer who saved a woman having a heart attack, my first thought is "ordinary people doing extraordinary things." But the truth is, police officers are anything BUT 'ordinary'. They become extraordinary the day they choose the profession to be a public servant. They go where they are called to go -- regardless of race, color, or religion -- and they go willingly. 

I am reminded of this scripture:

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, 'Whom shall I send? 

And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" 

~ Isaiah 6:8

Below are a few of my favorite videos showing the heroism and courage of police officers. 

♥        

An officer in Blanchard, OK saves a woman's life by performing CPR for 10 minutes

I'm Only One Call Away - Music by Charlie Puth

Florida police in Indian River county respond to a 3-vehicle fiery crash

Send back-up....send back-up!

A friend shared this video on Facebook and it made me smile big! Honestly, there is nothing sweeter than to see a little child running and screaming in excitement with giggles in their heart. They're making happy memories that will carry them through their adult life.

This little sweetheart is the cutest little cupcake suspect I have ever seen. I doubt she will do hard time for this offense. Maybe just a few extra kisses for daddy before he goes to work.

Her daddy is a police officer!

Enjoy!    ♥

Guardians of the Night

Tuesday, September 20, was the first time in my almost 7 years of serving my friends that I was fearful. I know that harm's way can come at any time, but that day was different. There was an officer involved shooting and now the city of Charlotte was under attack.

They were calling it a protest, but it was much more than that. This was a violent riot by criminals, many of whom DO NOT EVEN LIVE HERE, taking advantage of an opportunity to steal and create havoc.

The first night of "protesting" there was violence, tension, and uncertainty. I listened to my police scanner app for hours as I sat in silence on the edge of my sofa. The communication between the officers and dispatchers was 100% professional -- they were a family united and working together in a crisis.

When 1:00 am came, I felt guilty for getting tired. I felt guilty for needing to sleep while my friends were out there not only fighting for their own life, but fighting to protect the innocent and the property of business owners.

Truth is, this is what police officers do every single day. We work, and they protect. We sleep, and they protect. 

I have been worried about my friends. But I am a woman of faith and there has been a lot of conversation and prayers with my Heavenly Father these past two weeks.

Pray for your police officers wherever you live. This nightmare could come to your own backyard.

~ ~

THIS is a peaceful protest. 

This IS NOT a peaceful protest.

This IS NOT a peaceful protest.

This IS NOT a peaceful protest.

Watch this....I'll let you decide.

My blue candle continues to shine in my dining room window - all day, every day - to honor my friends behind the badge. It keeps me mindful, now more than ever, what a dangerous job police officers have. It keeps me mindful to pray for them. When the officers drive by, I hope it keeps them mindful of the lady on the corner who cares about them.    

Be safe CMPD guardians of the night....#weseeyou!  ♥

In memory of NYPD (retired) Detective William Brown

PHOTO CREDIT: NYPD

The thin blue line - a symbol of camaraderie and devotion between fellow officers - is really not all that thin. It runs deep. It is an eternal bond within the police family.

I read this heartwarming story earlier this year and archived it so I could share it with you. This is a story about NYPD (retired) Detective William Brown who almost died alone and forgotten, that is, until his NYPD family stepped in.   
                              
At 95-years-old, this retired detective was frail, he was feeble, and he was alone. 

This story begins in the winter of 2015 when a neighbor called 311 to ask the police to visit Mr. Brown because she hadn't seen him for a few days. He had recently complained that his house had no heat and the temperatures were nearing zero. 

Officers with the 113th Precinct visited Mr. Brown's home and found it empty and in disarray. The furnace was broken and his home was cold. They eventually found Mr. Brown in the hospital where he was being treated for hypothermia. It didn't take the officers long to realize they were in the presence of a retired NYPD police officer -- one of their own.

PHOTO CREDIT: NYPd

However, serving as an NYPD officer was not Mr. Brown's whole life. In World War II, he fought with the 369th Infantry, known as the Harlem Hellfighters - an all African American infantry unit. In the 1940s, he became a New York City police officer. After retirement, he became a gifted jazz musician who played the saxophone and would "jam with any band."

Mr. Brown's 20 year career with the NYPD ended in 1968 with the rank of detective. During that time he received several honors from the department. In 1960, for rescuing a woman and her child from a burning building, in 1962 for apprehending a man with a loaded gun, and in 1964, for arresting an armed burglar.

The department's loyalty and appreciation for one of their own came full circle during the retired detective's final months. They sought help from a local church to have the heat restored in the home where Mr. Brown lived for 60 years. They secured his veterans benefits, escorted him to doctor appointments, and visited every Sunday to check on him. They showed this officer that his service to the NYPD meant something. 

On May 20, 2016, Detective Brown died. With no family or next of kin to claim his body, he was destined to be buried on Hart Island, the city's potters field. But the officers of the 113th intervened to ensure he would have a proper farewell. They arranged a funeral fit for hero, where hundreds of current and former NYPD paid tribute, and they further arranged for his burial at Long Island National Cemetery.

In the end, when it mattered the most, Detective William Brown was no longer alone. He was surrounded by his police family, and he was loved.    

                                                                                 ♥

Photo Credit: DEBBIE EGAN-CHIN/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Story Credits

Mary McDonnell and Graham Rayman / New York Daily News - Click here.

  

Cream puff shenanigans....

I LOVE my officer visits when I deliver my cream puffs.

I LOVE the 30 minutes I get to spend with them before, during, and after roll call.

I LOVE the way they cut-up and tease one another, when I know in my heart each one would lay down their life to save the other.

There are 13 CMPD response area offices in Mecklenburg County and I have had the pleasure of visiting all but one.

Last Friday night, I delivered two boxes of cream puffs (30 puffs) to a division across town. It's funny how they're all different -- some officers will dig in before roll call (if time permits), but this division always waits until after. When roll call is over, they dig in.

When roll call finished and 2/3rd's of the puffs were gone, there were two officers eyeing one of the boxes with a worried look on their face. They were a little concerned that the cream puffs would be gone by the time their shift was over. 3rd shift starts at 8:30 pm, 2nd shift returns from their shift around 9:00 pm, and then there's 1st shift....well, they roll in around 6:30 am.

So what does any police officer do if they're extremely concerned all the cream puffs will be gone when their shift is over?   

They hide them, of course!    ♥                                                  
                                                                 

                                                                 

A candle in the window....

I keep a blue candle in my window all year long -- 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to honor my friends behind the badge. It keeps me mindful that they are hard at work. It reminds me to whisper an extra little prayer in case they need it at that very moment. I hope it will remind them that they are thought of and loved. I am not altogether sure they know the blue candle is for them, but that's OK....I know it's for them.

♥

Here's a cool clamp I purchased at my local Ace Hardware Store. It secures the candle to the window with a suction cup and holds the candle in place. It is a seasonal item, so I doubt you can find it there right now, but they're available on Amazon.  Just search for "Window Candle Clamps". The prices vary and they come 4/pack.    

The blue C7 bulbs are also available on Amazon. Very reasonable. Don't get the transparent ones...they don't shine as bright.  

  

Engagement....Service....Community

Purely by happenstance (I love that word), I started making amateur videos when a friend wanted a video made to commemorate her sister's 60th birthday and asked if I could help. Up until that point, I had never made a video. My friend comes from a large family and large families take lots of pictures and, boy, did she ever have a lot of pictures! I really learned a lot with that first video.

Making videos suit me I think and I enjoy making them. Unless there is a stressful deadline, it is very therapeutic. I learn something new every time I make a new one, and I have enjoyed watching my progress over the last few years.

I have made two community service videos for my friends at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department using photos from their Facebook page (w/ permission) and below is the most recent. I follow CMPD's Facebook page and when they share a picture I think I can use, I save it. When I eventually have enough pictures, another video is born.

I love these friends of mine. 

This is Officer Spencer....he is in this video, but I wanted to give him a shout-out because he was so sweet to me during my foot surgery last year. It was a very physically and challenging time for me, but calls and visits (like his) kept my spirits up. He has such a kind heart. He brought me a few Starbucks Mocha Frappucinos when he was in my area, and out of the blue one night, texted me to see if I needed anything. It meant the world to me. Your kindness won't be forgotten, Sir.

♥

Charlotte's "One-Armed" Police Officer

What a treasured piece of Charlotte police history that almost went undiscovered.

When I was working on the first memorial video to honor the 30 Charlotte officers who have died in the line of duty, I contacted a friend of mine, an amazing genealogist, whenever I needed clarification on a date or name spelling -- I was trying to be as thorough as possible. This was long before my video would come to rest on the desk of two CMPD directors and would eventually be viewed by the CMPD Command Staff.

I asked my genealogist friend, Kat, for help on the Chief of Detectives Joseph E. Orr's name, and she sent me a newspaper article from the Charlotte Observer dated March 20, 1932.

And here's the big surprise....this article wasn't about the fallen officer in my video, Joseph E. Orr, but rather, his FATHER, Joseph L. Orr. Turns out CMPD fallen officer Joseph E. Orr's father was also a police officer for the Charlotte Police Department, and he served and protected the citizens of Charlotte with only ONE ARM!

Below are a few highlights from the original newspaper article written by Mrs. Sam Presson which left me in awe of this AMAZING Charlotte police officer, Joseph L. Orr:

A little background

• Joseph L. Orr was born on March 13, 1835 in Sugaw Creek township of Mecklenburg County. 
• He was one of nine children. 
• Mr. Orr served in the Civil War with his five brothers and lost his arm in the Battle of Chancellorsville.
• Due to his injuries, Mr. Orr could no longer serve and was sent home with an honorable discharge.

Union troops in the trenches at Chancellorsville
Photo Credit: http://thisweekinthecivilwar.com/

The one-armed police officer

• In 1866, this one-armed veteran, Joseph L. Orr, joined the Charlotte Police Department.
• He served on the Charlotte Police Department for 40 years. 
• Despite having only one arm, Mr. Orr was an excellent officer, arresting all offenders without regard to class or condition. He was always fair and fearless. 
• He was an expert with a revolver and in times of riot, which were not infrequent in reconstruction days, he never hesitated to use his gun when it was necessary. 

One of Joseph L. Orr's sons, Joseph E. Orr, followed in his father's footsteps and joined the Charlotte Police Department. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, Joseph E, Orr served on the Charlotte Police Department for 15 years. Chief of Detectives Joseph E. Orr, was involved in an automobile accident with his partner, Detective John Byers, on September 28, 1926. The Chief of Detectives Orr succumbed to his injuries the following day, September 29, and his partner, Detective John Byers, died September 30. 

When Mr. Orr (senior) died on April 16, 1906, as a mark of esteem and respect, a policeman was placed at the door of Mr. Orr's home and remained on duty at his house until the funeral.  

I wish I could sit and have a conversation with Mr. Orr. I would like to shake his hand and say thank you.

Rest in piece sir and thank you for your service. You are being remembered 110 years after your death for your service to the citizens of Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

♥

Frosting Cream Puffs....

A friend of mine has been wanting me to show her how I frost the cream puffs that I make for my police officers. She enjoys making mini-cupcakes for her grandchildren's classroom and thought this frosting effect would be a nice touch to her own treats.

So I told her I would make a video the next time I made cream puffs for my friends in blue if I could manage holding the camera phone in one hand and the frosting bag in the other, and I have to say, despite my head-cold, I think this turned out kind of cute.

Wilton Tip:  1M

I haven't made deviled eggs in eons, but I think using this technique for filling deviled eggs would make them really cute.  I would think it would make the filling process go by much faster too!

♥