Hardly a day goes by that I do not post an article of the compassion, the heroism or the wisdom of police offices as they serve and protect. This is a sad story, but if we just let it end here, we would not do justice to Amy Caprio or changing our communities for the better.
Over the years, I have had a number of friends who were law enforcement. My personal prayers are with them and the men and women who serve our communities and our states.
Last week, a police officer in Baltimore County was killed in the line of duty. The 29-year-old officer responded to an afternoon phone call and was killed during a confrontation with the suspects.
A couple days later, Ash Leigh of Bel Air, MD, posted the slain officer’s photo on Facebook (Shared on Twitter here.) and asked people to share it. This is why…
“This is Amy. This is what needs to be shared.
Amy was a police officer in Baltimore County. Amy went to work wanting to make a difference. Amy put her uniform on every day, never second guessed it and left her family behind. She drove her police car, listened to her radio and took every call. She saw things that no human should have to. She stood proud and loved what she did. Amy never thought that her life would end.
Amy Caprio. Credit: Ash Leigh / Facebook
Amy was a human. A human that deserved to live.
She has a family, a husband, a home. She had a world outside of the Kevlar, outside of the Glock, outside of the badge. She had dinner plans, weekend plans, and vacation ideas. She had dreams and aspirations, AND A RIGHT TO GO HOME.
I didn’t know Amy. But I know many like her.
My husband has been a deputy for 17 years. I couldn’t tell you how many calls he’s responded to just like Amy’s last. How many times he’s approached a stranger to protect the public. How many times he’s put his life on the line. How many times our friends have done that. Honestly, I don’t even want to think about it.
But I can tell you a few other things. I can tell you what Velcro sounds like. The thump of work boots, a Glock going into a holster, a badge hitting the kitchen table, what an impala sounds like coming down my court at 2 am, and bullets in the dryer. (Yes, that does happen) And I can tell you the relief that some of these sounds cause. Why relief? Because I know he’s home.
We shouldn’t share the people that did this to her. We need to share her. Celebrate her. Remember her.
Amy will be laid to rest this week. I will watch my husband go through the motions. He will pull out his honor guard uniform, arrange all of his pins, make sure the ropes are perfect on his shoulder. He will shine his shoes, shine his belt, and find his hat. He will look for a new pair of white gloves, iron his dress shirt and stand tall with his brothers and sisters. Sadly, this is now the new normal for them. The final send-off, the final goodbye.
As a spouse, you never think about if they don’t come home. You can’t. You’ll drive yourself crazy. You live each day like it’s normal. Is it always in the back of your head? Do you have plans in case the most horrible thing happens? Yes. But you never dwell.
A few years ago we were Baltimore County. Harford County knows all too well what this is like.
I pray for her husband.
I ask that people not share the pathetic souls that did this to her. Share her, share her life and her story. Inspire people to want to be like her. We need more people like her in this world. Share stories about her fellow officers. Ask if they are okay. Share stories about how they save the world one radio call at a time. Talk about all the good that they do. Show the bright side of our thin blue line.. because lord knows that it is a very misunderstood subject.
We need people to want to make a difference. It’s the only chance our children have.
Rest easy Amy. You know they have it from here. Watch over them, look after them. They need you to have their six.”
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