This post was written by Carl McDonald, MADD’s National Law Enforcement Initiatives Manager. Carl is a retired Lieutenant of the Wyoming State Patrol.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C. is hallowed ground for me. Some of my friend’s names are inscribed upon the walls there. Many years ago as a young state trooper I first entered the plaza of the memorial. It is a starkly poignant place. My emotions were stirred most not by the number of names inscribed there, but more by the vacant space that will be filled with the names of those to come. Years later, I now reflect about my survival and that of my fellow officers.
Law enforcement is a dangerous business. Survival is dependent upon constant vigilance not only of those violent situations that can take place where human emotions rule, but also by constant exposure to the unpredictable. Thanks to television drama and other fiction, we are all familiar with firearms related incidents and law enforcement officers, sometimes with a constant barrage of gun fights during prime time viewing. However, here are some facts to consider:
By the close of 2010, traffic related fatalities among law enforcement officers lead all categories of officer deaths for 14 straight years
Officers killed by drunk drivers increased by 43% over the last four decades
153 officers were struck and killed by vehicles from 2001 – 2010
Although 49 states now have “Move Over” laws requiring motorists to change lanes and reduce speed when encountering emergency vehicles upon the roadway, 71% of the public has never heard of these laws (Hawaii and Washington D.C. have yet to pass this law)
At MADD, we consider law enforcement to be our first, most natural partner. These are our heroes that make our roadways safe. In addition, MADD is in constant partnership with agencies that are making a difference in the safety of the law enforcement officers in this country. Our partners include the International Association of Chiefs of Police, The National Sheriffs’ Association, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Department of Justice, the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted program, and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the source for the above statistics.
National Police week is a time set aside for recognizing the service and sacrifice of law enforcement in the United States. Every year, National Police Week is observed during the week in which May 15th falls as established by a joint resolution in Congress in 1962. This is a time for special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty; those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of others.
Like so many others this week, I will take this time to reflect. I will reflect upon those who’ve fallen, their families, and their sacrifice for us all. It is their time. It is their week.
This year marks the 20th Mother’s Day since I lost my daughter Alisa Joy. The best gift a mother can have is to be with her children on this special day. In the early years after her death, I struggled with her absence, even as I was loved by my remaining family. But gradually, the realization came to me that I was still her mother and no one could take that from me. I still miss her, but she is forever in my heart. She is, and will always be my Joy.
Life is like an onion and we’re always peeling back a new layer. One of Alisa’s close friends, Leana, called me on this year’s anniversary of her death just last month. Like Alisa would be, she is now a thirty-five and has a baby of her own. While it is bittersweet because I miss the grandchildren that Alisa might have given me, I treasure that her friends still share their lives and families with me. In this case, Leana shared that how as a new mother she had gained perspective on how Alisa’s loss had affected me. Somehow this cycle of life comforts me because even though I can’t touch her, Alisa is still part of that cycle and part of me.
For mothers whose child has been killed by a drunk driver, Mother’s Day can be especially painful. If we have other children, it is a day filled with bittersweet emotions. The gratitude we feel for the beautiful gift of sharing life with our surviving children is joyful. At the same time, the longing for our deceased child is an agony that constantly tugs at our hearts. My friends who have no surviving children tell me they feel a deep emptiness on Mother’s Day.
Yet, love never dies. All of us are grateful for the precious time we were given with our children who have died. I send wishes to every mother for a day filled with warm memories, special moments and peaceful joys. Love lives forever.
Mother and union bus driver Sandra Frye delivers a powerful Mother's Day message against drunk driving in this public service announcement by Mother's Against Drunk Driving and the the Amalgamated Transit Union.
Mother’s Day is a very important holiday at MADD, since we were founded by a mother who lost her daughter to drunk driving. But at MADD, a Mother can be a father, daughter, brother, uncle, or anyone else who wants to stand against drunk driving. We like to say, “Some of the best Mothers are fathers.”
It’s a mothers job to protect us, and that’s exactly what all of you—no matter your gender—are doing, protecting your loved ones from drunk driving and underage drinking. So this Mother’s Day, send a MADD ecard to all of the Mothers in your life who are taking a stand against drunk driving and underage drinking.
If you are struggling with grief this Mother's Day, please know MADD is here for you. Our 24/7 support line is available at no charge at 877.MADD.HELP (632.3435). You can also read our Holiday Grief Tips to find suggestions for people experiencing bereavement and/or injury for coping during a holiday .
MADD wishes all of our Mothers a very happy Mother’s Day.
Provided by Nationwide Insurance® the national presenting sponsor of the Power of Parents program. Nationwide also offers exclusive discounts to MADD supporters, learn more.
For many people, Memorial Day is a time to celebrate freedom, in more ways than one. We salute the U.S. veterans who sacrificed to preserve and protect us. And many of us celebrate freedom of the road on this holiday.
The unofficial kick-off for summer, Memorial Day weekend is one of the heaviest for traffic, which translates into more accidents. More than 470 people were killed during Memorial Day weekend in 2009, the most recent year for which such data is available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Protect your family with these safe driving tips from the NHTSA:
Avoid alcohol. Alcohol and driving is always a bad mix. Every day, nearly 30 people in the U.S. die in a motor-vehicle crash involving an alcohol-impaired driver. If you have teen drivers, learn how to talk to them about alcohol.
Keep your tires properly inflated. If Memorial Day weekend means a road trip for you and the gang, make sure your tires are ready to endure the marathon. A hot traveling surface can take its toll.
Check your windshield. Make sure your view is clear and your wipers are in good shape. A sudden summer storm will hinder visibility more rapidly if there’s a coat of grime or dust on the windshield.
Never leave kids unattended. Don’t leave your children in the car, even if you’re just running into the store for sunscreen. Temperatures inside an automobile can increase to deadly levels quickly.
Rest up. To stay alert on your trip, get plenty of rest before you leave. Allow plenty of time to get to your destination to avoid aggravation, and keep yourself hydrated by bringing water with you.
At MADD, we consider law enforcement to be our first, most natural partner. These are our heroes that make our roadways safe. In addition, MADD is in constant partnership with agencies that are making a difference in the safety of the law enforcement officers in this country. Our partners include the International Association of Chiefs of Police, The National Sheriffs’ Association, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Department of Justice, the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted program, and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the source for the above statistics.
