A Tragedy All Around
Yesterday evening just after 6pm, police cars started screaming down our road. One, followed by another. And another. And another.
We thought there must have been a terrible accident.
That would have been tragic enough. In the end, the police in the next town, Greenland (where our neighbor's daughter is a police officer and who luckily was off last night), were serving a warrant on a man just 3-4 miles from our house. It appears that while several officers tried to enter at the front of the house, others moved around the side to look in the window. By all accounts of witnesses in the area, a firestorm ensued. Five police officers were hit and fell to the ground. One police car sped away, presumably with one of the injured officers.
Tragically, Police Chief Michael Maloney,who was set to retire in a week, was killed trying to protect the community he served. To make things even sadder, I believe both the Chief and the shooter were fellow alums of WHS. The shooter went to school with my nieces and nephew and was apparently a pretty regular guy in school. One you certainly would never expect to be involved in something like this, let alone be responsible. He'd even been a volunteer firefighter in a neighboring town for a time. It is rumored that he may have been on and selling steroids for years. After a nightlong standoff, around 2am the police sent in a robot after hearing shots in the house, and found the suspect and a woman who was in the house with him, dead.
Whatever circumstances come to light, one thing won't change. Three people are dead. One in the line of duty. Four other people are injured, some still in ICU. Hoping and praying they will all be ok.
Both my brother-in-law and sister-in-law are police officers, as well as several of my college pals. Let's remember that they never know what they will face on a day to day basis when they are on duty. My hope for them all is to be safe.
Though I didn't know you personally Chief Maloney, may you rest in peace.
Freefrom Friday
Click here if you're reading by email.
Live each day. That's my advice to you all today.
Pam I am so sorry to hear about the tragedy in your home town. I am sure that the ripples of this heartbreaking event will be felt by many. My thoughts are with the families on both sides.
ReplyDeleteI thank you for your kind words about the law enforcement community. This is a topic near to my heart. Law Enforcement is a calling not a job, and those men and women and their families take great risks and make sacrifises on a daily basis.
I pray that the other officers will recover, and I am glad that you and your family were safe during this event.
I think the other officers are expected to recover. thank god. completely senseless.
DeleteOh Pam - what a tragedy! May the Lord comfort those who lost their loved ones and bring healing to those who are injured. I can't imagine what a sad day it is in your community today. I'm so glad you and your family weren't in harm's way.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Angie
the community is reeling, as you would expect. many sad people. no words for something like this angie. feeling for the families and friends of the 3 who died, including the shooter Cullen Mutrie and his ex-girlfriend who died too. what can you say....
DeleteWhat a terrible thing.
ReplyDeleteand something you'd never expect in the little community of greenland.
DeleteOh Pam, this is so so sad!
ReplyDeletethat's all i can keep saying Sigal.
Deletehopefully the community can pull together to support the families affected.
Pam - what a sad sad event - for so many. It's so hard to hear about the officer just about to retire and begin a new chapter. I am sure your community is grieving and I hope everyone can provide some comfort to each other in the midst of such a senseless tragedy. Hugs and prayers from Ca to you. B
ReplyDeleteisn't that the worst? 8 days. 8 lousy days. but they had dealt with this man before, and knew he had weapons. so i think he wanted to take care of the situation so his community wasn't in harms way. a hero for sure.
DeleteHow incredibly sad... Keep us all updated. I will keep everyone in my prayers. Brings tears to my eyes, so sad.
ReplyDeletemy blog: http://allpatchedupquilts.blogspot.com/
my Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AllPatchedUpQuilts
thank you elvira. it is beyond sad. i just keep thinking of all the families.
DeleteI'm so sorry for your town and the families...
ReplyDeletethanks leslie
DeleteMy hearts and prayers are with the entire community.....What is sad, is we had the very same incident here in Northern California yesterday. A veteran police officer and a locksmith went to serve an eviction notice, the man opened the door and shot to death the officer and locksmith, police from all over came and the this whole tragic incident didn't end until the early morning hours of today....awful....I pray for comfort to the family who is suffering these tragic losse's. Xo ~Ashley
ReplyDeleteashley, i'm so sorry to hear that this kind of sadness and tragedy hit both coasts of our country on the same day. completely senseless.
DeleteI wondered how close this was to you Pam. I heard it on the news this morning. Such a tragedy. Prayers for those still recovering.
ReplyDeleteKathy, I know the whole state is morning Chief Maloney. That, I hope, brings some comfort to his family at such a hard time.
DeleteOh my gosh, that is so sad! I can't imagine going through something like this. My prayers are with his family:(
ReplyDeleteJust terrible Tracey. Makes it even more heartbreaking that he was set to retire at the end of the week.
DeleteThoughts are with all of you there. That's just awful. Senseless and awful.
ReplyDelete