Prime Ops

So Sad. Only 8 months on the job.

Line of Duty Death - Dallas PD

RIP Officer Darron Burks

I remember this day like it was yesterday.

I was at the Ambulance Station in Lacey, WA with my crew. We gathered around the TV in disbelief. We were all Firefighters so we knew exactly what had occurred when the first tower fell - "There are a lot of firefighters heading up those stairs".

Years later, most of us continued to participate in firefighter stair climb competitions and charities in remembrance of those fallen firefighters. I recall climbing up 69 flights in just my bunker gear (fire coat, pants, boots) and air pack "without" extra equipment (hose, tools, etc.) and the stress of hundreds of scared people coming down at you, not to mention the unknown up top.

I feel for the families that lost their loved ones that day. I visited 9/11 last year on a business trip and witnessed many widowed wives sitting next to the hole crying still in utter shock. We sometimes forget those people who still have so much pain and confusion, it's very sad. I sat down with an older grieving woman that said, "he filled in for another worker that day and never came home". She was so broken even after two decades, poor lady. She said she has walked down and visited the site every day since 9/11 hoping she would find him.

Today, remember ALL of those who made the ultimate sacrifice...and all those still suffering. We stand by you.

Luke