Yesterday I watched in awe as thousands lined the streets to honour a hero of our hearts. I cried a little too as I drove by the police cars, the people, the mothers, fathers, strangers, children, elderly. All lining the paths to say one final farewell to Damo.
Yesterday, I sat with friends and talked about this outpouring of grief and support for one slain man. They asked "Why? Why him and not the endless others who have fallen before?"
I answered, "I do not know. Maybe the people are sick of the violence, the endless escalating danger. Maybe it was the people who cared about Damian, who brought him vividly to life with their words. Maybe it was that he was young, a father, a good guy. I just don't know."
Yesterday the Coast of Gold turned dark, and it's shimmery tawdriness was draped in a solemn blue. Yesterday a city cried and mourned the loss of one lone man. A hero.
6 comments:
He seems to have touched many hearts. That in itself is a hell of a wonderful legacy ...
Moving post. I remember how much Melbourne was moved like this when police officers Rodney Miller and Gary Silk were slain in similar circumstances. The murder of a police officer strikes at the very heart of our community's sense of safety. Such a tragic loss. I'm glad that you commemorated him like this xx
My heart goes out to his family and friends.
I think people are sick of the violence, and the death that seems to be occuring more and more frequently to those we pay to protect us and our interests. There have been police officers and the members of the military who have died recently.
The deaths of those whose roles are to protect Australia, and it's people to me are somehow more fear and grief invoking than deaths of others. Not that other deaths mean less just these people's role in society is to protect.
Does that make sense?
It is so sad & each day here on the Gold Coast I wonder what is going to happen next. My neighbour is a manager for the Pub company that runs Pac Pines & it was his mate that was one of the people there. The neighbours pub at Parkwood was held up a while ago and he was beaten badly & his duty manager had her car taken. The school has had several lockdowns in the last few months thanks to these idiots doing daylight hold ups. Some days I want to leave here. Officer Leeding's life was cut short & his family are left in peices.So very sad.
The community is sick of the violence and disrespect to authority. The fact that a policeman had to pay with his life is truly appalling. He had a right to be safe at work. Poor bastard.
Such a sad time for everyone. Lovely to see the community coming out to celebrate his life.
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