Letter From The President Of

 

To the families of Sgt. Paudert and Officer Evans of the West Memphis Police Department; to our law enforcement brothers and sisters of the agencies involved; and to the community of West Memphis, Arkansas,

             On behalf of the Arkansas Safe Schools Association, we extend our thoughts and prayers. Everyday officers across this state and country don the shield and armor of our profession. As we ready ourselves, rarely do we dwell on what may happen to us as individual officers. We pray for our brothers and sisters that they will make it home at the end of their shifts to return to their families and friends. We know that we can look into the mirror and say, “Today, I made a difference in someone’s life.” We may never see this to its fruition, but as long as we know it in our hearts, that’s all that matters.

             As School Resource Officers, we can relate to a certain degree to what may have gone through the minds of these officers as they faced this challenge. Daily, we come into contact with the next generation. The biggest fear any of us have is facing the risk of a young person placing us into a situation of using deadly force. It is very upsetting that this event has taken place. Without personally knowing these officers, I believe that their actions were for the protection and safety of those involved.

             At any time, we in the law enforcement community may have to make a split-second decision that affects many lives. The bravery of the officers involved was impeccable.  Each day we will look upon these officers as heroes. I only wish I would have had the privilege of meeting these men in person. How they lived and worked should give us all the strength to accomplish our jobs. It is to these families that we affirm our oath of “to protect and serve.”

 Respectfully,

  

Jon Schwulst, President

Arkansas Safe Schools Association