PAX Centurion - Special Edition 2013

www.bppa.org PAX CENTURION • Special Boston Marathon Bombing Issue 2013 • Page 27 A s we all know, the events that occurred during the Boston Marathon ofApril 15 th , 2013, were the most horrific events witnessed by our members and BPD employees in anyone’s recollection. What began as an enjoyable day in mid-April sunshine announcing the unofficial beginning of spring in Boston ended in horrible agony, death and dismem- berment for hundreds of people. Exactly who is responsible and what their motives might have been will be discussed in a later issue of the Pax (May-June, 2013; please feel free to send along your personal recollections, photos, thoughts, etc. to the BPPA). That doesn’t matter right now. This commemorative issue of the Pax will be dedicated solely to the tragic events of that day and that week, acknowledg- ing the heroic actions of all of our members, whether present at the scene or standing lonely outposts performing vital security tasks. What officers, EMT’s, firefighters, and many civilians witnessed that day was typical of Baghdad and Kabul, not Boylston St. That happens there, not here. Unfortunately, it did happen here, and there are many of you who are and will have difficulty dealing with what was seen, heard and experienced that day and that week inApril. The purpose of this article is simple: to tell you that you’re not alone, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from the BPD peer support unit at telephone # 617-343-5175, emergency # 617-594-9091, located at 251 River St., Mattapan. Stoicism and refraining from any visible displays of emotion is an im- portant part of our profession; it goes without saying that we simply cannot allow ourselves to become emotional at homicides, vehicle accidents, or any of the myriad of bloody tragedies that might occur during the “routine” day of the average police officer, EMT or firefighter. We must remain in control, directing the outcome of the incident at hand, assisting the wounded, and eventually returning the scene of the tragedy to civility and order. But some- times, things are so horrific, unexplainable and unable to be put into context as to be beyond any one individual’s ability to understand. This is one of those circumstances… Oftentimes, the officer, EMT or firefighter who pretends that “nothing bothers me” is the most needing of attention. The façade of fearlessness we put on is just that, a façade. What might not have bothered us yesterday might wake you from your sleep a month from now, in a cold sweat and gasping for breath, and you don’t understand why, or, quite frankly, don’t want to know. YOUARE NOTALONE. Many in our profession experienced the horrors of that day, in a variety of different ways. Some saw little limbs in sneakers, some picked up body parts, some stood guard over dead bodies and were then directed to perform traffic duties. Some rushed victims without legs or arms to ambulances and then returned time and again to help another victim. It was said that ALL of the victims had been removed from the bombing scene- from the very start- in a mere 18 MINUTES. That is truly incredible, and it was only due to the skill of our EMT’s and the close proximity of so many nationally-renowned hospitals that many others did not die. But please, (and this is from the ultimate cynic, yours truly) don’t feel bad about picking up the phone and asking to talk to someone!What you officers and EMT’s went through was not normal, it was horrific and abomi- nable. If you’re concerned about confidentiality issues, consider this: I am personally aware of several officers who experienced a temporary downturn of one kind or another in their lives, for a variety of reasons. Naturally, they were concerned about the department’s response to them vis-à-vis, having their livelihood impacted by losing their ability to perform details and over- time in order to provide for their families. Being sent to the hinterlands and labeled as “crazy” is not enviable, therefore, many officers decline to seek help. (If you’ve ever read the famous novel “Catch-22”, you will immediate- BENOTAFRAID… By Jim Carnell, Pax Editor BPD/EMS employees on duty during the Marathon bombing: To ask for help, or to talk to someone…617-343-5175 ly recognize the similarities to the BPD.) But I can personally guarantee you that under the direction of Sgt. Brian Fleming and his entire staff, the vast majority of officers were quickly returned to their assignments, and without the department’s knowledge. Some have grumbled that all are being sent to de-briefing sessions, insist- ing “I don’t need it”. OK, that’s fine, but shutup and go for the officer next to you who might need it. On the bulletin board in my office at the Pax , I have several photos of officers who committed suicide recently. John Ridlon and I used to bust other’s chops at every union meeting, insulting each other relentlessly. I never knew another side of him other than a goofy guy who loved being a cop. Aweek or so after the last time I saw him, they found his body in his own car, dead of a self-inflicted gunshot. I should have asked him out for a beer when I last saw him…. Officer Kaitlyn Keaney worked the morning-watch shift in my station, AreaA-1. She was always a vibrant, happy person who made you feel good by asking how you were, making a joke, or being genuinely concerned about an arrest or incident you had been involved in. One Friday night, while dropping off a key to pass to a morning-watch unit, I noticed Katy sitting there, despondent, not seeming her usual self. I should have inquired what was wrong, as she would have done. I should have said something, in retro- spect. But I guess I figured it was just the usual blues and disgust that every young cop feels at having to come to work on a Friday night and know your night is going to be filled with drunken idiots, morons and people who might seriously hurt you. So I left, and I didn’t say anything. Aweek or so later, I stood with Sgt. Dave O’Connor outside Katy’s house in South Boston, wait- ing for the M.E.’s office to remove her body from a self-inflicted gunshot. I regret not saying anything now, but that means nothing. This job is not worth killing yourself. It is unforgiving and the politicians –both in uniform and out of uniform- will send you to the wolves when it is politically expedient. Don’t let themwin. Fight back. Make a call- 617- 343-5175/ 617-594-9091. So far, the BPD peer-support unit has held almost 200 personal sessions with individual officers and over 300 officers have attended group de-briefings. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. Please don’t become another photo on my wall…. Special thank you to all the members of the BPD peer support unit who have worked tirelessly over the last two weeks and have their work cut out for them for the foreseeable future: Sgt. Brian Fleming, Officers Monique Cesar, Det. TomFamolare, Officers Moe Smiddy, Lisa Clark- Morgan and the family assistance unit consisting of JackMcCarthy, Julie Colburn, Billy Carroll, Mike Jones.We knowwe probably have missed many others who helped in a myriad of ways- we thank all of you and apologize for this rushed issue of the Pax that may have missed your contributions. Thank you all. NOTE: The peer support unit has an on-line quiz you can take to see if you might need assistance. Go to www.bostopeersupportquiz.org and follow the prompts.You will need to confirm that you are a Boston Police Officer, and then sign up with a username and password.You can make up a user- name that has no connection to you. If you are suspicious or apprehensive, use a computer belonging to a friend or family member, or useYahoo, Gmail or one of the other sites to set up a new email account that does not use any part of your real name. NOBODY will use your information or contact you unless YOU want them to. There are past members of the stress unit of whom I may have been suspect. But, I have complete trust in Sgt. Brian Fleming. That’s a lot coming from the ultimate cynic…