(HEATH, TX – May 17, 2016) More than 100 fellow Peace Officers from surrounding Rockwall agencies and members of the public joined Heath DPS in honoring and remembering the law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The ceremony was hosted on Monday, May 16, at Heath City Hall in recognition of National Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week.
Guest speakers included retired Chief of Operations at the United States Drug Enforcement Agency James L. Capra, Heath Mayor Brian Berry, and Jason Ross of U.S. Congressman John Ratcliffe’s staff. Ross presented a flag which has flown over the U.S. Capitol to Heath DPS Director Terry Garrett and his fellow officers on behalf of Congressman Ratcliffe.
Capra, who along with his family has spent many years in law enforcement, reminded the officers and law enforcement officials present of why they do what they do by relaying the story of when his daughter first became the only thing she ever truly wanted to be – a police officer.
As Capra was pinning the badge on his daughter’s uniform – a moment he described as one of the greatest honors of his lifetime – he took a moment to remind her of what it means to be an officer of the law and the responsibilities that come with the job.
“There’s over 800,000 of us on the street,” Capra told her. “You will see the most heinous things that people do to each other. You will see the side of society that no one else wants to see. They don’t even believe it exists. You’ll see it, and you’ll have to contend with it. You will come face to face with evil every day – an evil that no one else understands – and yet you’re called to love people. People will call you liars, they’ll cheat and say terrible things, and assault you. And yet you’re still called to love them.
“It’s a hard thing to grasp, but if you look in the midst of this evil and look real hard, you will see great miracles being worked out on your beat. You’ll see people living out an existence who really care about themselves and really care about their community. And you have to love them.”
Heath DPS officers and participating students also read the names of the 35 officers who have lost their lives so far in 2016.
Learn more about National Police Week at heathtx.com.
Submitted by Suzanne Brooke, City of Heath. Photos by Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News editor.
Your #1 source for positive hometown stories, entertainment and events.
Our print edition is delivered free to 18,000+ homes in Rockwall and Heath, TX.
To share your good news and events, email editor@BlueRibbonNews.com.
For advertising inquiries both online and in print, call 214-342-8000 or email advertising@BlueRibbonNews.com.
Download the FREE Official Rockwall Area App for Apple iPhone or Android.
Heath DPS honors fallen officers with National Peace Officers Memorial Day service added by Austin on
View all posts by Austin →