Fallen Officer, Forever Hero

Last week a Police Officer from North Salt Lake, Charlie Skinner, lost conrtol of his vehicle during a high speed pursuit. He crashed into a cement sign going about 90 miles an hour. The suspect later crashed on the freeway with minor injuries. Officer Skinner sustained severe head trauma and doctors tried for days to help him. Finally his family decided to take him off life support, the doctors could do no more.

This really hit close to home for Grant and the other officers in that area. Grant used to work for North Salt Lake, before he moved over to the neighboring city of Woods Cross. They all back each other up and go out to eat together. Grant didn't know Charlie too well, because Charlie started with North Salt Lake a few months after Grant left. But they had responded to a few calls together.

Officer Skinner was given a police officer's funeral, and hundreds of officers showed up from all over the state, and parts of the country. It was so touching to see all those officers in one place. At the funeral several officers spoke as well as members of his family. He seemed like a teddy bear of a guy, and was so sweet to his wife and brand new baby twins. After the funeral everyone piled in their vehicles and turned their police lights on. There were at least 100, if not 200 motorcycles, several firetrucks, ambulances, and of course hundreds of police cars. The sight was amazing. We proceeded down the roads of North Salt Lake and Bountiful. People stood on the sidewalk, some with hands on their heart or in salute, some were crying. One lady held a sign that read "Thank You Officer Skinner." The children at Orchard Elementary stood outside and waved as we drove by.

Entering the cemetary, there were two fire trucks with their ladders raised and a huge flag suspended between them, in an arch. All the officers stood in a line and soluted as they carried the casket to it's final resting place, bagpipes playing in the background. The gun solute made me jump even though I was prepared for it, and helicopters flew over in the "Missing Man" formation. Then they presented his wife with a medal and the flag. Then a voice came over the radio for Charlie's last call, and everyone, family, friends, cops, and wives, completely lost it.

It's a sight that was incredibly beautiful and horrible at the same time. It's a scene that will always be in the back of my mind every time I say goodbye to Grant. It already was, but now it's all the more real.

These Police Officers are out there putting their lives in danger every day. They are at war every day. The stress takes a huge toll on everything in their lives, and their families. Remember that next time you get pulled over, or you have some interaction with a Police Officer. Show them respect and thank them for everything they do to keep your community safe.