WAY OT: Prayers Needed.....

[nessz79]

Prayer said

 

[KnoxDisney]

My dad (retired) and husband was/is a police officer. My dad in Southfield, MI my husband in Knoxville, TN. I knew the nature of the job when my husband told me that he wanted to be a police officer. (I married a man that was a business owner - I never wanted to marry a police officer because I never wanted to worry again.) I get through the worrying by knowing he is doing what he wants to do. This is his calling. I pray for all officers everyday and will defend them and support them with every breathe I take. Until you walk in their shoes, noone has reason to critize or complain.

My heart and prayers go out to Grand Rapids (my husband's home town, in-laws live in Holland). My gratitude goes out to him and all fellow officers. Thank you for a job well down.

To his daughter and family - be proud. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

 

[DawnM]

So sad. I am sorry.

Dawn

 

[kristenrice]

Somebody posted this on our new forum here in GR as a tribute to Koz and I wanted to post it here. I don't know the author so I cannot give proper credit.

"Sombody killed a policeman today,
and a part of America died.
A piece of our country he swore to protect,
will be buried with him at his side.

The suspect that shot him will stand up in court,
with counsel demanding his rights.
While a young widowed mother must work for her kids,
and spend many long, lonely nights.

The beat that he walked was a battle field too,
just as if he had gone off to war.
Though the flag of our nation won't fly at half mast,
to his name they will add a gold star.

Yes, somebody killed a policeman today,
in your town or mine.
While we slept in our comfort behind our locked doors,
a cop put his life on the line.

Now his ghost walks a beat on a dark city street,
and he stands at each new rookie's side.
He answered the call, of himself gave his all,
and a part of America died."

Robert Kozminski left behind a girlfriend (whom he had just bought a house with and was inquiring about engagement rings) and also a 3-year old daughter. He will be sadly missed by his parents, 3 sisters, 3 brothers as well as his brothers and sisters in law enforcement in Grand Rapids and across the nation. His funeral is Friday. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support.

 

[Jennabeth]

and cry every time I see this story on the news. It's a terrible tragedy and my heart breaks for the ones he left behind.

 

[momof2boyz12]

I work in Grand Rapids and live in Middleville, and this story breaks my heart. I find myself crying just thinking of the family that is left without the brother, uncle, son, father, and boyfriend. What makes this even worse is that there is not good explanation for his death. It was senseless and simply put, murder.

My heart breaks everytime I turn on the radio or television and hear this story because I cannot imagine the pain that this family must be facing. It is truly tragic, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family and his brothers and sisters on the police force. They put their lives in danger everyday for us, and we should be thankful.

 

[Lovinlifesooomuch30]

Oh my goodness....I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep his family in my prayers as well as yours.

 

[budbeerlady]

We live near South Haven, MI. It is a really sad, sad story. Do you work for L.I.F.E in GR?

I was a bit surprised by the shooters parents interview. Dh and I called it "typical holland dutch" parents. We raised him right, so this isnt our fault kind of an interviews. If my child killed someone, let alone an officer I would be devistated and not on TV saying anything.

 

[Scutapipig]

My sincere sympathies for your loss.

I was one of many who stood watching Officer Kozminski's processional. My son stood with his Boy Scout Troop and saluted as the officers drove by. It was a beautiful and moving tribute to a man who gave so much.

May each new day bring joyful memories to make you smile in rememberance.

 

[msticker97]

Hi, I am so sorry for the loss of this wonderful man. I will keep his family and friends in my prayers. My husband is a police officer and was actually going to a call 2 nights ago when a fellow police officer shot someone who was coming at him with knives and a gun. That could have been my husband and it scares me to death. I pray everytime he goes out the door that he and the other officers will come home. Hang in there, Stephanie

 

[kristenrice]

Thank you all for thinking of us this week. It has been one of the hardest weeks of our lives. Yesterday, we laid Koz to rest. His funeral was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. I arrived at the church with my partner from work at about 8:45 in the morning. We were fortunate enough to get seated inside near the center aisle of the sanctuary. I was very anxious and as I wandered around a bit, I watched as officers began to arrive. The news had announced that over 1000 officers (possibly even 2000) were expected and the church only holds 700 people. I couldn't figure out how this was going to work Apparently, the local Best Buy store (or some electronics superstore) donated several big screen plasmas and surround sound units and had tents and chairs set up in the courtyard of the church. I inadvertantly wandered into this area (nobody stopped and questioned me since I was in my uniform...a paramedic uniform!) and saw that it was reserved as a place for officers to gather and watch the funeral together.
The procession of officers began promptly at 11:00am. Two by two, police officers saluted Bobby and paid their respects. GRPD went first. I found it a bit humorous that they were literally about 6 feet away from me and I never saw my own husband go down the aisle! The male officers all seem to look alike with their flat-top haircuts and their hats on After the Grand Rapids officers, then the officers from other agencies followed. The line of officers was endless. For almost two hours, the officers filed in from every department and juridiction in the state. There were some from out of state. Rumor had it there was an officer from Glasgow, Scotland that made the trip to pay his respects. Finally, after two-hours, someone made the heart-breaking decision that the line had to come to an end. As it turned out, over SIX HUNDRED officers were still outside the church waiting in formation to approach the casket and salute!
After the funeral, as Bobby's casket was loaded into the hearse, EVERY officer in attendance was standing at attention in formation in the parking lot. The funeral procession was lined with people waving flags and holding signs. Some were crying, some were waving. I felt very honored and humbled to be part of the procession. I remember one lady was holding a sign that said "Police Officer Wives We Support You" and I gave her a big thumbs up. The outpouring of support from the community is truly awe-inspiring. The children were waving, yet they weren't always smiling. It was as if they knew that it wasn't really a happy occasion that they were there for, but an important one none the less.
I would love to relay my comments on the internment ceremony. Unfortunately, I can tell you, it was hot and sunny. Since I was standing next to my paramedic partner in our paramedic uniforms, we were, unfortunately called away in the middle of the ceremony. As the chaplain was giving his speech (and I was sobbing) a woman approached us and informed us that a gentleman in the crowd had just passed out. So, we were called to duty. We assisted the gentleman to the shade and I got on my cell phone (not an easy thing to do at a funeral, mind you) and located our ambulance that was supposedly ON-DUTY at the internment ceremony. When that crew arrived, we slipped back over to see the honor guard present the flag to Bobby's brother (a Navy officer) who then presented it to his mother. The bagpipes played "Amazing Grace", "Taps" was played on the trumpet and there was a 21-gun salute. Then, the GR officers filed by the casket and each placed one of their white gloves on it. The saddest part of the service was the very end. They played over the PA system the radio traffic of that night. They said that "on July 8, 2007, Officer Robert Kozminski of the Grand Rapids Police Department was shot and killed in the line of duty. Grand Rapids Police Department badge number 89 has answered his last call and is 10-42" (end of shift) When the radio traffic ended, the air was silent and the service ended. The officers all turned and hugged each other in tears. I was so overwhelmed with sadness. Normally, I like to hear that I am 10-42, but yesterday, it was the worst feeling in the world.
Bobby's daughter, Kailey, was a perfect angel through all of this. She sat through the entire service and internment ceremony. There was a brief video clip of her on the news, twirling around the front of the church in her cotton-candy pink dress, so innocent and sweet. She knows her daddy is with Jesus now. I could hardly contain myself at the funeral when she put the flower on his casket to say good-bye. I hope that little girl grows up and knows what a hero her daddy was. Her daddy died instead of the mother and two teenage boys in that house that night. I am proud to be married to a police officer and I thank him and all of our boys in blue (or brown or whatever color their department opts to wear!) for putting their lives on the line so that I can sleep in peace at night.

Thanks Koz! Rest in peace, brother.

In Memory of Robert A. Kozminski
Who took his last call July 8, 2007

 

[solferino]

I was doing ok until seeing this

I remember one lady was holding a sign that said "Police Officer Wives We Support You" and I gave her a big thumbs up.

Big sigh. to you Kristen So sad and senseless in so may ways. I'm sorry.

I hate seeing these stories and knowing another name is being added to the memorial wall in DC. ::cop: A few years ago we lost one in a neighboring town. He and DH went to CJ classes together in college. When DH went to DC for LEO week he did a rubbing with his name- we've got it on our fridge as a reminder to never forget.

 

[cannp123165]

I am so sorry for your loss.

Caroline

 

[fireman17]

From the fire service brotherhood here in Connecticut we send our thoughts and prayers.
May this officer rest in peace and may God watch over him, his family and the entire Grand Rapids police Department.

 

[Magic Maker]

My sincere condolences. My husband is a police officer, and we lost a "brother" in a work- related traffic accident last year. I will pray for you and your community.

 

[AmberI]

I am so sorry for your loss.
That poor little girl lost her daddy She shouldn't have to grow up without him, it's very sad.

 

[misshilda1]

Oh my Gosh that is such an awful thing to happen but I am glad that you see that prayer is the only thing that can help hurting hearts when something like this happens. I have never been to your community but I give you my heart felt thanks for the job that you and your husband do and for the job that cost this young man his life. I like to think that those in the police ,fire and rescue unit are one large family posted all across this big nation to make one large family and team and that they all work together for the greater good of this nation. I feel like this young man lost his life protecting me all the way in Tennessee beacuse the person he was taking down could ahve very well ended up in my hometown someday. Thank you each and everyone and my thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone of you especially the family,friends and fellow co-workers...

 

[NC_Momto2]

I'm very sorry for the loss of your friend and your husband's coworker. Anytime an officer is lost, especially in the line of duty, is a terrible thing..just as a family losing any person is, but something about it being an officer who is out there doing his job protecting our towns, makes it hard to swallow. My grandfather was a sheriff for 28 years and in LE for several years before becoming sheriff. Prayers for his family and fellow officers during this time.