On the evening of May 10, 2021, tragedy struck very close to home.
My son-in-law, a Sheriff Deputy Sargent in Texas, was shot and killed. Another young officer and good friend of my SIL Stephen was also killed. An animal control officer was critically wounded.
People hear about these things happening.. It always seemed to be a big city problem, not a small Texas town issue.
We have found it can happen anywhere. It can happen for the STUPIDEST of 'reasons'.
Stephen went out on a dog bite call.
The vicious dogs ran into someone's yard.
The guy didn't want the officers in his yard- even to get dogs that were running around biting people. (It was not the first time these dogs had bitten people.) The dogs did not even belong to this guy.
I'm about to get back on my Social Media Soapbox.
My daughter was getting condolence calls and texts before she had even been notified that her husband had been shot.
She was convinced the people posting on Facebook and sending her texts were making assumptions- because certainly she would be told before news like this hit Facebook.
It takes time to drive to her house. Of all the horrible, horrible ways to learn something you never wanted to know... being told on Facebook or via text message is the worst.
Before a person goes spreading news... Maybe give the Family a chance to learn of it through proper channels. Let them tell the people who need to know before rushing in to spread the word.
The day of Instant Communication needs PEOPLE to engage their brains and give consideration to those affected by the News they are relaying.
There are two young widows. Six fatherless children. Grieving parents. The media hoopla is moving on. Widows, parents, children are learning how to continue on with gaping holes in their hearts.
Please continue to lift the families of Stephen Jones and Samuel Leonard in your prayers.
