On the article about the police officer killed in Cold Springs, the Tribune wrote it up well. When my husband and I heard of this tragedy, we immediately called our son Patrick. He’s a police officer in Melrose, in Stearns County. We knew he was on duty that night. When Pat got the call that a officer was down, he and every available law enforcement officer went to Cold Springs to assist securing the town. Tom Decker never saw it coming. He was just checking on someone he knew.

This reminds us what being a police officer is all about. Every day, every call is different. We as parents, pray every day to keep our son safe. Pat agreed that Tom Decker was a happy-go-lucky guy. Police officers put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve us. It can be a simple call to quiet the neighbors dog, or a domestic, suicide, traffic stop and the list goes on. This week will be sad for the community of family and friends of Tom Decker. Normally protocol will be a police officer from most counties of Minnesota to go to the funeral to honor and respect this officer who gave his life doing a job he liked and was trained for. In the end, Patrick got to go home and kiss his wife and children. Remember, when you see our police officers out and about, they are putting their lives in danger every day for all of us.

 

Jody Nechanicky

Albert Lea

 

Editor’s note: Thank you. True credit for that story belongs to the Associated Press and the St. Cloud Times.