By Barbara Cooley Thaw
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
PITTSBURGH — Headlines tell stories of people with total disregard for the law, acting out in chilling violent rages and greed beyond comprehension. It can leave one with a feeling that human kindness and selfless tendencies have almost disappeared. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is imperative to balance out the horrible, the ridiculous, the immoral with the integrity and upstanding that surrounds us.
I want to relay my brush with real-life heroes after returning from a recent morning spent at the Allegheny County Courthouse.
Last spring, I witnessed a crime Downtown. I could have easily remained uninvolved, concocting excuses why I should distance myself from the event. Still, I felt compelled to spend three separate days in Pittsburgh, participating in the judicial process.
All my life I have been surrounded by dependable and law-abiding family and friends; this was my first foray into a courtroom. I may be idealistic but I am not sheltered. It was not a surprise to see firsthand that people are violent, cruel and attempt the ridiculous. I am also aware that folks make horrible choices and vent their anger and pain upon others in response to the way they have been raised. I have been blessed; it was my turn to speak up, do my duty, take a stand.
A city police officer responded to an initial 911 call. He stayed with the case and contacted me each time I was needed to testify. Without fail, he thanked me over and over, just for showing up. He also felt the need to personally apologize when the defendant’s attorney had the case postponed. This officer walked me through the process, figuratively and literally. He answered my questions and made me feel safe and, most important, valuable in this world so distant from my own.
In addition, the assistant district attorney was equally competent and thorough. She humanized the process, educated me on the procedures and she added her repeated gratitude for my testimony. As I waited, an advocate for a woman’s group sought me out -- twice -- to express her appreciation because I chose to support a gal who would not or could not speak up for herself. A humbling experience all around.
If anyone was to witness this outpouring of appreciation, you would think I solved the crisis in the Middle East. Instead, I merely made the time to speak the truth and participate in the process created by our Founding Fathers.
My part was far from amazing. That credit belongs to those men and women in blue. I write this to express my, up to now silent, appreciation of the true heroes that surround us each and every day.
So, here’s to the folks who we know will respond to a 911 call. To the brave who confront the gun-toting violent and unreasonable individuals. These men and women who leave their families at home to defend the weak and abused. We expect them to rescue and retrieve, often putting their lives at stake in the process.
They do it not once, but day after day after day, typically with little appreciation for what their job entails or gratitude for efforts. While everyone else is celebrating holidays, they are on duty. In the middle of the night, during snowstorms or when the summer heat stuns all activity. And, as if their valor is not enough, we demand incredible restraint in the face of danger, injustice and uncertainty.
Theirs is not an easy task and needs to be commended. Over and over and over. And over again. They protect our bodies, our rights, our possessions. How fortunate we all are to be able to count on such brave, caring and hardworking police men and women.
I was thanked for my five hours of inconvenience as if it was something unique and momentous.
Now it is my turn to publicly proclaim my gratitude and extend to all of you who wear blue -- my utmost respect for the dependable diligence and courage you expend each and every day of the year.
Copyright 2009 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette