Saturday, December 10, 2011

Unimaginable

Sadly, when an officer dies in the line of duty, we act in selfish ways, first saying to ourselves "only by the grace of God, him, not me" and then we start to Monday morning quarterback. We lose sight of the family members.

We struggled with our reaction to this comment. No, we have not walked in her shoes, so we don't know and really can't imagine how she feels. But being a parent, it ills us to think of getting that knock on the door.

This mother, this family, need our prayers and comfort.

May God bless her.
"I am the mother of Det. Shane Wilson. My heart is broken. I told myself I would not read anything on the accident and listen to what others had to say. I'm barely getting out of bed once I wake to this repeating nightmare.

For the record, Shane was driving an unmarked city issued Ford Edge not equipped with emergency equipment so obviously he did not have it on. He was ripped from life by a known criminal who was sitting in the outside emergency lane decided he wanted to go east in the west bound lane so he made a u turn on I 20. He turned right into my son and killed him. No amount of money can fix that.

If you drink and drive, Stop Now.

Please. For those that don't know, Shane was home in bed and called to respond to a home invasion where both the victim and the perps were criminals. They had one suspect in custody. The victim of the home invasion was actually arrested last night for drug buys. My son died that night but he and the other officers were the only good guys. All the other players were those people out there among us all that just refuse to play by the rules. Rules Don't Apply. I'm having a tough time with that."

Gayle Hanson, retired DeKalb Police Officer

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

GOD bless you all for risking your life for mine....

Anonymous said...

Ms. Hanson,

I am so sorry for your loss. Your son was a hero! I am disgusted that you felt you needed to explain that your son was doing nothing wrong when he was called out in the middle of the night to come to the aid of a lifelong criminal, only to be taken from you and all of us by another lifelong criminal. You obviously felt the need to defend your son because of stupidity you read on this blog. For that, I am truly sorry. But if you worked in DeKalb County, I'm sure you're not surprised by that kind of ignorance. Please know that there still are a lot of intelligent, good people in this world who know what kind of person your son was, and that we have nothing but respect, admiration, and gratitude for him.

Thank you for your service and thank you for raising a wonderful son! Our thoughts and prayers are with you!

Anonymous said...

You are in my prayers and thoughts.

Anonymous said...

As a mother of a police officer in another State, I know the risks, etc. but I have not and hope I never feel your pain. My heart goes out to you, to his son and to his wife. They allow these repeat offenders back out on the roads to wreak their havoc with no thought to the law abiding citizens. Anyone who makes disparaging remarks about your son, is, in my opinion, no better than the perps. Know that there are many of us who care and know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. God bless you.

Steve Cook said...

Gayle, My heart goes out to you and Jim. There is nothing that anyone can say that can truly take away the pain. Just know that there are many here who care for, and love you guys very much. My prayers are with you everyday..
Steve Cook

Anonymous said...

Ms. Hanson,
Everyone of us feel your loss and pain for your son. No amount of words will ever ease your pain.
It is obvious that you son Shane was inspired by your committment to the community and public service.
No one becomes a cop to get rich. Your son made the same choice as you did, to make the community a better and safer place for its citizens with all the sacrefices that come with the job.
Rejoice in the memory of your son's life, his accomplishments and his family.
Justice will be served.
God bless you!
Ken Choate

Anonymous said...

Gayle, You don't have to explain anything to anyone. Any decent person knows that this tragedy should not have ever happened. Yet due to the thugs and scum within our society it did. My heart breaks for you guys, you had a fine son who did a great job. We know he is in a better place and I know that the criminal who took your son's life will spend an eternity in hell. Just know that many people are praying for you and your family. You have much to be proud of in your son.

Anonymous said...

Thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Rick Caviness said...

Gayle I had only met your son once in passing when he had come by the precinct, to either see you or Jim.
I can only imagine how the two of you must feel. I personally think that regardless of how much support you receive that it is time that will only heal your pain.
May god bless you and your family.

Anonymous said...

The officer was a detective who was responding on call. Of course his vehicle did not have emergency lights. Whoever even brought that up is just trying to start something. And it does not matter if you have emergency lights or not...if someone turns against the flow of traffic on the interstate the results are going to be bad no matter what. Emergency lights do not alter the laws of physics. Point the blame in this situation solely where it lies, on the drunken driver whose reckless actions cost another person their life.
We all feel for you loss and wish you strength at this trying time. Do not let the foolishness of others hurt you.

Anonymous said...

While death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. -Unknown

JR Anderson said...

My prayers are with you and your family. I pray God will grant you the strength to go on.

Anonymous said...

Gayle and Jim
Please do not read this blog. Anyone that would comment negatively about your son's response is an idiot.
I ask that the blog master please do a better job of deleting comments about one of our fallen officers. You have in the past about other subjects that are not so hurtful.
Allow Jim and Gayle this.
May god ease your pain.

Anonymous said...

Ms. Hanson:
I do not know you, nor am I police officer. I am a police officers wife. I have seen first hand how people question the actions of officers all the time. Your son is a hero. Your son did his job with integrity and dignity. Your son was on his way to a call when some drunken poor excuse for a human took his life. You do not need to answer anyone. You only need to hold your head up high and honor your son for doing his job and doing it well. I'm so very sorry for your loss. BUT please do not worry yourself with this blog. You take care of yourself and your family at this terrible time. I send thoughts and prayers to you and your family. God bless.

Anonymous said...

I wondered why the poster mentioned emergency equipment on the detectives car? I have been called out a couple hundred times and my CID car had emergency equipment but I never, not one time, ever turned it on for a middle of the night call out. Detective Wilson did not do a damn thing wrong. God bless him and his family. I hope the drunken murderer gets what he should get.

simplyme said...

Sometimes this blog takes things to far. People say things without regard,but through opinion and emotion. I pray that whomever runs this blog begin to take the everyday issues we face as officers into consideration and revamp their posting criteria. One thing we need to realize is that we all have human emotion and we are all only human, at the end of the day it's up to you to take a stand and leave remarks of maturity. Mrs. Hanson I truly do apologize for the disperity you had to endure when you read such ignorance regarding your child. May GOD continue to bless you and yours and may Shane rest in heavenly peace.

To the officers of DeKalb County we need to take a stand, this is getting out of control.............

Anonymous said...

The ironic thing about all of this is simply, the citizen does not appreciate the front line boys in blue when its they that have been ticketed, or decide that all cops are crooks. The only time a guy in blue is appreciated is when someone needs one. Given the s##t laws in place, the money driven political environment and lawyers who suck the victims dry as well as those charged with a crime, financially, it is always the police that take it in the shorts. Yes, there are "bad" Officers. Unfortunately, most of us are just trying to make a living, and do the right thing, even though the city and county administrations gripe about their budgets and how our "tickets" can boost the financial prosperity of the general fund. I hate that. So do many of the rest of us who wear a badge. The scum do not play by the rules and it is the citizenry who cry foul when a cop broaches the "permissible" lines. Shane was doing his job. We accepted the risk when we signed on, but not the extreme ingratitude. I left law enforcement. Citizen, you don't like the po-po? Call a thug the next time you need help. I am all out of give a damn.