I sat down with some of my brothers yesterday, after the emotional day they had Friday at the school in Santa Fe. We sit and pray for the families and victims from that tragic day, yet we forget the first responders who had to go room to room looking at these poor children who lost their young lives, lying there on the floor, but having to  stay focused to stop an active  gunman. And as they were able to find and drag to safety the wounded officer, whom would eventually lose consciousness, they stayed in the fight, until the suspect gave up.

See, the pain runs deep in blue because as many officers have children, the psychological effect of seeing these lifeless bodies laying there, but yet trying to stay focused to save other lives - this is what we do. Officers are human, too. Some officers had just gotten off duty but heard the call go out, suited back up, and ran to the school. When that call on Mutual Aid 1 from the DPS troopers went out, officers from as far away as Splendora showed up. Nothing in the world is greater to brothers and sisters’ ears when in the fight, than when you hear those sirens, and know that the cavalry is coming.

My brother washed away the blood off his vest and uniform Saturday, but the mental scars will last forever in these officers’ minds.

I would like to thank our Lodge Treasurer Robert Smith, who holds a duel commission with Santa Fe PD, for his bravery. He had just got off his 8 hours shift in Houston, but heard the call go out and he suited up anyway. Robert was one of the officers engaged, and helped make a difference, as this incident could have been worse. Warriors do not train to retire!