Posted on: Tuesday, September 2, 2003

ISLAND VOICES
Our police officers ask, 'Where were you?'

By Steve Scharl
HPD officer

I have served with the Honolulu Police Department for over 12 years. Recently, a brother in blue was tragically killed in the line of duty with his own service weapon. I know that at any time on duty, someone who doesn't give a damn about humanity could take my life.

This commentary is not meant for those caring citizens who know the ordeal we face daily.

Our overworked and underpaid police officers respond to a variety of overwhelming cases daily and are heavily burdened, yet I still hear sardonically about citizens who complain and say, "Oh, where is a cop when you need one? They're never around."

To this I reply: Where were you when my brother in blue (Pat Maher) was protecting and serving the community he loved, when he was trying to protect citizens from harm's way? His life was taken in an instant, and his life was precious. Where were you when New York police officers, firefighters and EMS personnel rushed to the World Trade Center to save lives and protect the helpless? Where are you when, late at night, the lonely, sole beat officer is patrolling your neighborhood, keeping it safe for you and your family?

I'll tell you where you are. You're watching TV, maybe going to a movie, sharing precious moments with loved ones, enjoying the safety of your home — while the war-torn beat officer, tired and battered from all the ugliness he or she has seen, goes to the next domestic call and tries to defray what's left of an unredeemable, ugly situation.

Where are you when we need you? Maybe just to say "Thank you, officer, for helping me ... thank you for saving my life, thank you for being there for me, when I needed you." You need us and we need you. We need to know that this thankless job means something to somebody.

We as police officers are given a sacred mission to protect you and your family from harm's way, and we pray for God's help in this never-ending battle. We need your help to protect us from the slander and ugliness of the overwhelming criticism we face daily. Next time you get a chance, please show your gratitude and respect to a ragged beat officer for doing his or her job. This would mean so much .

This commentary is for all of the selfless police officers, like the Glen Gaspars, Pat Mahers, Ryan Gotos and all the courageous brothers and sisters who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for you, the caring citizen.