One of the interesting observations that I have made regarding the Internet is that articles that appear in the newspaper never die. Over the eight years I am been writing this column, I have had some 414 submissions published. Some of these have been picked up in other newspapers and a few have appeared in publications such as Leatherneck magazine (Marine Corps), the FOP Journal (Fraternal Order of Police), and Sharing the Practice (the Journal of the Academy of Parish Clergy), to name a few.

However, one article, "They Shoot to Live," a piece about what happens when police officers are involved in a deadly shooting, is one of my favorites and has been circulated widely, especially among police officers. This week I received a letter from an 18 year veteran a Police Department in a small suburban department approximately 10 miles from Detroit. Protecting his identity, I share with you his comments:

"I just wanted to take a moment thank you for the article you had written, 'They Shoot to Live.' For the last 16 years of my career I have been assigned to the Special Operations Unit of our department of which we were responsible for narcotic and alcohol related enforcement. During that time I participated in hundreds of search warrants as well as narcotic street sweeps in extremely violent neighborhoods, have been loaned out to other agencies to assist their departments with various enforcement activities, etc.

"I have progressed in my career and presently am assigned to our department's K9 Unit, and continue to assist in search warrants with state and federal drug teams. At the present I would have to say that I have assisted in easily 1,000 search warrants. During my career I have been in countless fights and have as well been hospitalized for various injuries sustained while on the job ... but little could prepare me for what would happen while off duty, purchasing lunch bags for my children on Oct. 26, 2004 (He attached a newspaper article entitled, "Cop Kills Fleeing Robber").

"At the present I am still on administrative leave waiting for the Michigan State Police and the County Prosecutor's office to render their decision on my investigation. While I thought that I would be better prepared mentally should something like this take place, I was extremely shocked at just how ill prepared I would be after this incident unfolded.

"Several weeks after the incident I received a copy of the article you had written ... it was given to me by a colleague who is also a K9 Handler for another department close by ... he as well was involved in a shooting approximately a year ago and afterwards while experiencing many of the same post-traumatic stress symptoms that I am presently going through was also given a copy of your article.

"I just wanted to take the time to express my sincere thanks to you for writing the article. While it has not made things completely better or clear for me, it has put into words, from another's perspective, exactly what it is that happens when we are placed into circumstances that require the use of deadly force. I cannot get over just how closely the description you penned of an officer after they have been involved in a shooting ... from the shaking hands, to rendering first aid, to praying. You have no idea how closely this mirrored what I went through. It was almost as if you were there.

"In short, I wanted to let you know that I have read your article several times ... so has my wife ... and we have made several copies of it to keep. It has continued to reinforce what it was that happened that afternoon, and who was responsible for the outcome of this incident. I as well, and hope that you do not mind, have provided a copy of your article to our department psychologist who I am required to see on a regular basis until I am cleared for active duty. He has provided considerable compliments regarding your insight and the descriptive, accurate terms of your article. I think that it will be extremely useful for other officers here in the Detroit area who have been involved in shootings and that his agency now presently treats on a regular basis.

"On behalf of myself and my family, thank you for your article."

As I read the officer's letter I was both humbled and honored. This article was written several years ago and, yet, thanks to the Internet, it is still alive and circulating. Our words are powerful and have the ability to do great good or great harm. And, as the letter indicates, our words have the ability to remain active long after they were spoken or written, which should give us pause before we speak or write. May God help us watch what we say, and may God heal and restore this brave officer who put it all on the line to "protect and serve."

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