Borderline Shooting

I haven't shared much about my experience with work from the Borderline shooting and fires. Please be patient with me as I do so now. A month ago after the shooting,  I took a call at work from an un-informed civilian.  It was a negative call,  filled with hurtful & untrue statements. The kind of call that stirred a lot of emotions and made it hard to remain professional. It was unnecessary and hard to take.
Yesterday, after learning the news that would be released in today's press conference,  I was saddened. I am sad for my coworker and friend, I am sad for everyone involved and I also became very worried. I feared more negative calls, I didn't know what to anticipate as the news was shared today. I did some crying, and a lot of praying between yesterday afternoon and this morning. I cried as I watched the press conference and heard them share it with the media and general public.
 I waited, I was still working and I also got online and saw comments, I knew I shouldn't look, but I did. I saw some filled with kind words of love and support for sergeant Helus' family,  the VCSD and for my officer. I also saw some of the negativity and comments that come from ignorance and misunderstandings. I wasn't sure what to expect still. Meanwhile our office phones stayed quiet regarding the incident, and news. Then I got a call...
I got a call from a gentleman, who said he felt he really needed to call, he wanted my office and CHP family to know that we are loved and supported. He wanted us to know that we don't always get the credit we deserve, that the officers don't always get the recognition they deserve for their daily actions.  He wanted my office to know he and his family are praying for us, as well as the VCSD and their families. He wanted to say thank you to my officer for his heroic efforts, he said he hoped my office and CHP family are rallying around the officer involved. That he supports us and him. He sent well wishes and blessings for the holidays.  He said so many kind things and it was so elegantly spoken I wish our calls were recorded. It was incredibly uplifting and after thanking him for the call and all his kind words I got off the phone in tears.
I am thankful for that call. I am thankful everyday for the blessings in my life and i am thankful for the things I have learned and for my CHP family. I love my job and people I work with. I have known the officer involved for almost my entire CHP career.  I am glad he is okay and so proud of him for his actions that night. I am sorry for the lives that were lost, and for those who were there and had to be subjected to such tragic circumstances, but I am thankful for the everyday heroes like my officer and Sergeant Helus who are so often overlooked, who run in when others run out. I am thankful to my family and friends who have stood by me and helped me overcome some of the emotions I have faced with all the events and how it had affected me at work and personally. You know who you are. I am thankful to those of you who read this far and I want you to know I appreciate you and your friendship.
Let us all take the time not just because it is Christmas,  but everyday. To look for those in need, to serve others and to show love. When we see a tragic event or news article can we please take a moment to consider the full situation before making negative comments, please consider those involved or those who know the ones involved and how our words or actions will be taken.
Merry Christmas everyone!