A SUPER Hero better known as S.W.A.T. Officer Randall Simmons...

As I await patiently in the medical center waiting room for a friend of mine who had awaken me from my slumber to drive her to the center for a quick visit, I began to focus my attention towards the television to where KCAL 9 was televising LIVE the memorial services for L.A. S.W.A.T. Officer Randall Simmons, the officer who was killed in the line of duty by a disturbed young man who had just taken the life of his own family. The night before this morning services, I'd glanced at the news coverage of the local Burger King in South L.A., to where thousands of people were showing up until midnight to help in raising funds and BK itself donating 100% of the proceeds to the family of the fallen Officer. You know when I arrived back home in L.A. from my trip up north this past weekend and heard of the news of the officer, it never dawned on me how much of an impact this officer might've had on his community. The news stated that it was SWAT's first lose in it's 41 history as a special ops division. I knew that had to have had a tremendous impact on the community and I just remember feeling very sorry for his family but praying that they would be alright. But as the news coverage began to report more about this dedicated officer of the law, I began to learn more about his role as a community leader in Los Angeles and throughout the country. Only then did this loss to me appear to be even more tragic than I could've imagined.

I was able to watch most of the memorial service in between dropping my friend off at her home, up until an hour ago 5:45ish, is when it ended. The anchor woman on
KCAL News had stated that the procession started at 11am. PEOPLE...I have to say that that was the most supportive,emotional, and historical scene I've witnessed on television in my entire life. From the community hanging out on the streets waving at the family in the limo's to the 4 mile stretch of police cars that drove into the grave site to the former football coach speaking....to the releasing of the doves...to the wrapping of the flag...to the gun shots by the color guards....Randall Simmons was loved and honored today by millions as the live news coverage titled the telecast, "Salute To A Hero." The more I listened the more I kept referring to him as a Super Hero.

As much as I love the sci-fiction of comic book artist & the writers that represent in their books truth, justice and the American way, SWAT Officer Simmons from what I interpreted ,was a modern day, real life Super Hero. One without a cape, without laser beams coming from his eyes, without bat-a-rangs or a Robin. He was made from the stuff that super heroes were created upon. A walking super solider for the community. Caring and saving souls. Ministering to the youth and troubled teens. Going out on the call of duty invincible to evils that plague our world. Making sure to share tactics with his fellow officers that may not have involved the killing of another human being. Constantly, leading by example.

After watching the service today, I must say that I have a new found respect for law enforcement officers. Not that I haven't always, but a more new found respect from the perspective of what they might go through on an daily, emotional and spiritual basis. For what their families might go through knowing that these men & women have taken oaths to protect and serve their country and could be taken from us at a blink of an eye. To protect and serve takes on a whole new meaning within it self. You read it on the police officers patrol cars...but I dont think it really sinks in. This modern day Super Hero gave a new face to the good in men to which is what our country needs right now....to what this world needs right now. It's terribly sad that it had to come to us loosing such a fine and dedicated officer, but in so many ways it's a wake up call for people to start standing up for what is right in their own communities. No longer is it ok or was it ever ok to ignore the patterns in another human that could easily harm another human being. It's been time to wake up!

I was telling my friend earlier in the day that I could recall when I was kid, that there was police officer that would come around our neighborhood in North Oakland just to say hi to everyone...just to say hi to my mother & my grandmother. That's the kind of Officer Randall Simmons reminded me of. All too often you hear of the media reporting about the 2% out of 100% who are out there giving good cops a bad wrap. The TV Show Cops is always focusing on the worst case scenarios. And have you heard about the latest antics of Rodney King? No one deserves what he got, but this guy is and was clearly a very bad apple. I know when you hear of these few incidents with the police & civilians they tend to piss you off a bit but you have to put yourself into that officers position: Part of his job is to protect his family, and protecting his family means protecting his community. And protecting his community means protecting his fellow officers family. And protecting his fellow officers family means protecting the people and the children from those that just do not want to abide by the laws that are put in place to protect us all. He wants to protect his community so that his family ...his kids...his buddies family...your kids...your family...the kid next door....the family next door, can be Safe! He wants to protect his country from those of this world who are bent on evil and destruction...and trust me ... he's aware of their existence in this world. Dont be naive to what this world is made of...because you and I know it aint all good. There is no place in this world for those who dont want to abide by the laws that are here to protect us. These officers are protected under GOD. They pledge their allegiance. In God they trust. So as we should Trust in Them.


Yes I am fired up...but I had to get some of that out. I was gonna go to the movies this evening, but I stayed in my living room to watch the services for a Hero. As the tears started to roll down my cheek and that lump in my throat grew larger by the moment, I watched on as the 10's of thousands of officers and people payed their respects to a brotha who stood for something Godly. I didn't know Officer Simmons, but I wish I had. After hearing remarks about him as a person and as an officer I started to feel like I'd lost a distant uncle I'd never met or better yet...a father I wished I'd had. He set an example of honor that I could only imagine. If you want to be remembered for something in this world ...do something that touches the hearts of the children and the people in your community. Life isn't about what Britney is doing or how many Grammy's Denzel is gonna get. Or how much money you dont have or why you should care about why a rapper wants to rap about how hot he is. Life is about putting others first, making a stand...and worrying not. Faith in God is all you need. He takes care of those who do their part...and then when he feels that you've done your part in his divine plan ...he then calls for you to come on home.

SWAT OFFICER Randall Charles Simmons...I salute you ...I thank you brotha for re-enlightening me. For showing me that one man can make a difference. To me, you stand in the same path as Martin, Malcom and JFKennedy....and I'm sure they were standing at the pearly gates of heaven waiting for you with open arms. I imagined you all with God in the center, looking down at the services today. Crying with tears of joy. You will be honored for years to come. The country took notice today...if not, the world.
Peace be with you brother...you've shown me what real men are made of.
-mr anderson-