In Memory of...

wIggy · 09-23-2006, 12:10 PM

I went to a funeral today for a fellow AF cop that was killed recently coming back from a short TDY. His name is Michael Watts. I didn't know him, but his story is one that is quite sad. I just thought I would post this, since it something that, although I didn't know him, affects me in one way or another. The service was HUGE, there were cops from Lethbridge Canada, Montana Highway Patrol, Great Falls Police department, as well as the base police involved. Here is the link to his Officer Down Memorial page.

http://www.odmp.org/officer.php?oid=18503

*G_Man* · 09-23-2006, 12:21 PM

Wow...

Life and Death are mysterious things...

Thanks for sharing wIggy. It doesn't take much to make a connection with another human being and have feelings about them and the events that shape or take their lives.

April · 09-23-2006, 12:22 PM

Such a sad story.

*wisecat* · 09-23-2006, 12:25 PM

you hate to see this happen but unfortantly it happens to offten

one of my best freind is on that site too, I still think about him at the lake everytime im there..here is his link

http://www.odmp.org/officer.php?oid=16301

**Noodles** · 09-23-2006, 02:09 PM

Both are tragedies. It can happen that quickly. My blessings go out to their families.

Suzie · 09-23-2006, 10:58 PM

wIggy · 09-24-2006, 12:54 AM

I think the hardest thing about this story is that at the time of the accident his wife was in labor with their 2nd dauther..had she not been due that day, he would have been coming back a few hours later...he was on his way home early

**Sp00k** · 09-24-2006, 05:30 AM

They say as one life expires another is born. A very touching story that no matter how it is conveyed brings sadness to anyone with a soul in their body.

wyeast · 09-24-2006, 07:35 AM

Don't even know what to say here.

iluvpenguins · 09-24-2006, 10:11 AM

*Big Boss* · 09-24-2006, 11:33 PM

it's unfortunate how the real heros that die, whether on duty or not, never make that national headline like they should. this one probably seems hardest casue there is no one to blame

wIggy · 09-25-2006, 09:17 AM

Here's a little tidbit that has irritated me a little about this situation. There were 2 higher ranking people in the vehicle, one was an E-9, the other an E-8 (the guy who died was E-5) I was in our orderly room today (where all the admin. paperwork gets done...also where the commander's office is) and someone came from one of the other office and said "Safety is on the phone they want to know if Senior (E-8's name) is getting administratively punished" Now, understand the reason this E-8 and E-9 went to pick up this E-5 is because his wife was going in to labor and he need to come home, everyone was wearing their seatbelts, and it was just a tragedy, that is very unfortunate, like you said BB no one was to blame, but for some reason, the safety office needs to hold SOMEONE accountable for one reason or another so they're screaming "off with his head" not to mention, the guy whose head they're calling for was neither driving, nor senior ranking. It's very unfortunate, and a testament to why I am counting the days until I get out of the Air Force, I wouldn't be able to imagine having to see this guy die, knowing his wife is in labor, and then come back to work to know they're contemplating punishing me, for something beyond my control!!! I'm quite irritated about this.

*G_Man* · 09-25-2006, 12:17 PM

Sounds like you need to fire off a letter.

Wing Commanders, etc love coming to the rescue. Makes them look even better than punishing someone.