Farewell to a Local Hero

On November 1st, 2007, a young man held up a Dunkin Doughnuts in Philadelphia with a gun. He waved his gun at the patrons and workers demanding cash. This has been a problem here for some reason. At one point, officer Charles "Chuck" Cassidy entered the premises and the gun weidling man turned, pointed his gun, and shot Officer Cassidy in the head. He then fled the scene. Paramedics rushed the officer to a local hospital for emergency surgery. He had been on life support and it was clear he would not make it. The decision was made to let him go...
Chuck Cassidy was a loving husband, a father of three, and a beloved member of the community. He served with his heart and soul to protect those of us who live and work in this city everyday. His birthday was April 24th, 1953.
I finished my 12 hour night-shift this morning at 7 am and walked over to the public viewing at the Basilica of Peter and Paul on 17th and Race. There stood many uniformed persons and others waiting to pay their final respects. I could feel the honor and sadness, as this world's reality hits close to home. Bravery does not flee, and he will be an angel to guard his loved ones in many places at once now. It was moving to see the salutes, as tears streamed from his comrades eyes. Hearts know the sacrafice made here.
I said my prayers and stopped to watch a little of the slide show of pictures throughout the years. I felt the tug of pain here mostly, as I saw this man hold his babies in his arms, cheer his child's soccer games, basketball games, and other events...His vacations at the beach and fun by the pool, he could never know it would end this way. All we can do now is honour a warrior of light, who gave his best, loved his best, and lived his best. May we always remember those who look out for us!
Love, Light, and Peace,
Khael