Good morning, Leaders! It’s Friday!

Monday of this week was the funeral service for Jason Moszer, Fargo police officer who ended his watch while protecting his community. It was the first officer lost on duty in over 100 years on this police force and moved thousands of people to the service. People came from as far North as Alaska and as far South as Texas.

As I heard some of the pastor’s words during the service, this was a “senseless act of violence” where officer Moszer lost his life and the shooter ultimately lost his as well.

The funeral service lasted 2 hours and the processional took another 2 hours where the people in the local geographic community as well as the law enforcement community honored one who fell in the line of duty but also took the time to honor the service we rely on and often forget to thank.

This local community that I grew up in has changed dramatically in the past half century. Technology, increased traffic, economic forces, gangs, drugs, and so many other contributing factors have influenced the landscape of what crime looks like today in our area. Fighting crime, restoring order, maintaining the peace and establishing a sense of security is an incredibly tall order and we are blessed to have so many committed, loyal and talented law enforcement working hard to do the right thing every…single…day.

What can we take away from a tragedy like this?

In the advent of cameras in squad cars, body cameras being added to the amount of equipment strapped to our protectors, weak political support as demonstrated in New York, this served as a reminder to me that not all communities disrespect law enforcement.

In my travels, when I share where I am from, people joke about Fargo as if the Coen brothers rendition is more accurate than my own memories. The display of support from the community is one more reason why I am so proud of where I come from, who I honed my values against and why it will always have a special place in my heart.

Special thanks for those who serve not in the light of recognition but behind the scenes. Planning events like this so people can properly emote and move on with their lives knowing this painful loss was not in vain. I salute the men and women who dedicate their lives to improving the safety and security of the world we live and work in.

Thank you.

Have a blessed weekend.