When a Cop is Killed
“And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:
Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thy high places.
I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!” (2 Samuel 1:17, 24-27)
Saul was king of Israel. After David killed Goliath, Saul heard women singing, “Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” (1 Samuel 18:7) Hearing that he thought David wanted to take over the kingdom. He tried numerous times to have David killed, but all the time David was loyal to Saul.
Jonathan was Saul’s son, a high-ranking officer in Israel’s army, and David’s close friend. He defended David, even crossing his father Saul in the process. Jonathan was also brave and of strong faith. By God’s grace, He and his armourbearer had fought and defeated a garrison of about twenty Philistine soldiers.
Saul knew David was God’s choice for king, yet he stubbornly refused to give up the throne. David had said of Saul, “As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish. The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’s anointed:” (1 Samuel 26:10-11) David knew God would deal with Saul one day, but he himself was determined not to commit treachery against the king, even though he had had opportunities to do so.
One day, Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle. David did not gloat over Saul’s death. He grieved and showed respect to Saul, as well as grief for his friend Jonathan, whom he called his brother. Jonathan was David’s brother-in-arms, willing to face danger as David was. Jonathan’s “wonderful” love, “passing the love of women” was a willingness to lay his life on the line for David, which Jonathan had done. As Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
If you’re a cop, you can understand this sentiment. Cops do dangerous things. They confront dangerous people. Cops may not always like each other, but when there’s danger, personal issues don’t matter. That willingness to face danger in order to help decent people and each other helps cops to have a strong bond.
When a cop is killed, it’s always grievous. If you’re a cop, you will want to know how the officer was killed. You will likely learn he or she was doing something you do often: a traffic stop, a building search, a domestic call. A line-of-duty death is a grim reminder of just how dangerous police work can be. When a cop is killed, citizens often show support and appreciation. These are the people for whom you came onto the job, and for whom you want to do your best work. Accept it with gratitude.
Sometimes cops are warriors, sometimes guardians, but always human beings. Cops know when to be desensitized. That’s not the same as being insensitive. You’re insensitive when you don’t care. You’re desensitized when you care but you put aside emotions in order to do the job. A cop’s death may not hit you emotionally, but it may. If you have to go somewhere private to think or pray or cry, do it. You’re not weak. You’re human. After you’re done, you will wipe your eyes and go back to doing what cops do.
Beyond the grave, though, God gave us hope for eternity. That hope is Jesus, who loved us, died for us, and was buried and rose again. Please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?” to see how to receive the Lord Jesus as your personal Saviour.
Brian Miller 7/10/2024