Salute to a Fallen Officer (Austin: road, difference, service)

[kevcrawford]

Just in case anyone's interested, they're going to be broadcasting the funeral tomorrow on all the major networks. It's being hosted by one of the local Churches and they're expecting over 4500 to attend from all across the state.

[PopsGuysRule]

Originally Posted by kevcrawford

Just in case anyone's interested, they're going to be broadcasting the funeral tomorrow on all the major networks. It's being hosted by one of the local Churches and they're expecting over 4500 to attend from all across the state.

Thanks for this info Kev.... I wonder if there will be an internet broadcast of it? I can't go; I will stand there and blubber like a baby.....

[kevcrawford]

Not sure. I'll find out if the church will broadcast it online and let you know.

[LadyAlli]

WOAI said they will have the service on their website tonight. I just looked right now and it's not up yet. I'll keep looking and post when I see it.

[little_thirsty]

It was a Church off of 1604 near Bulverde Road. I drove by while the funeral was going on. It was such an amazing site, 2 firetrucks had the ladders extended and a huge American Flag was hanging over the access road. There were tons of Patrol cars.

Words will never be enough to thank the people who put their lives in danger so we can be safe. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and those who served with him.

[LadyAlli]

WOAI said the service in its entirety(sp?) is up on their website, but I can't find it. I've looked at all of the stories pertaining to Officer Moreno, but haven't been able to find the funeral service. I have never liked WOAI's website. If anyone is able to find it please post the link. Thanks.

[PopsGuysRule]

I watched it live on the internet today via KENS 5...
but I don't know if the 'film' is still available on the web or not...

One disappointment was that the outdoor finale, the 21 gun salute, taps, etc, retiring of the badge, was NOT broadcast live, and I didn't find it anywhere else either..... but I haven't searched since the afternoon....

I have always had a special place in my heart for both police officers and firemen, but esp for police officers.... I try to let them know that in a variety of ways.....

I had an ongoing heated debate with a radio talk show morning host in Los Angeles about the LAPD.... it spanned over several weeks.... the city reduced their contribution to their health care benefits and did not provide any salary increase that year..... the talk show host's stance was 'why SHOULD they get any increase and have the same level of health care premiums employer paid - no one else is getting that anywhere this year!!!"

and no one else is patrolling our streets - yes, even the dark, scary ones - each and every night, facing drugged up thugs that carry knives and guns, and THAT'S why they should get a salary increase and keep the level of benefits that allows them to care for their families!!
Oh, my GAWD would we get into heated arguments over this...... I just don't understand why some people object to a decent compensation plan for law enforcement and other emergency service.....

RIP Det Moreno.... my prayers continue for your sweet family and their well-being and their recovery from this devastating loss...... and that includes your family in blue as well......

[cheermomof4girls]

Okay, maybe I am in the wrong for wondering this, and it is a sad thing that this happened, but why is his death so much in the media? Televised funeral? What about the other officers that died in duty or the service men/women that died fighting for our country. They don't get a televised funeral. What made this one different? I don't want this to come out in a harsh way at all or offend anyone, like I said it is indeed a sad occasion. I served in the USAF for 6 years, my dad is a security guard and retired USAF, and I have friends that are firefighters and sheriff officers, so I am surrounded by people that put their life on the line everyday.

[kevcrawford]

The reason this is getting so much attention is because this is the first officer that's died in the line of duty in years. Yes, the stations decided to televise the funeral, but they didn't invite the 4500+ people to this funeral. They came from all over the state because it's very important to them to honor a man that volunteered to put his life on the line day in and day out. It's rare for an officer to be killed in the line of duty. They're in such horrible situations every day, yet they do an awesome job of keeping us safe. It says a great thing for our PD that we have so few deaths in the line of duty. When they do occur, they attract this attention. And they should.

The reason that we don't see the funerals of the soldiers that have lost their lives for us is because the war, unfortunately, has been politicized to such a point that whenever we hear something about the troop deaths, each side claims the other is using it as propaganda. It's sad and it's ridiculous that it's come to that, but it has.

I think that everyone that works at a position that willfully and voluntarily risk their lives for us should be honored when they die in the line of duty.

It's not fair that some are and some aren't, but nothing is fair. We shouldn't be upset that this officer got so much attention. It was a beautiful thing to see that service and the amount of people that traveled to honor Detective Moreno.

[PopsGuysRule]

Originally Posted by cheermomof4girls

Okay, maybe I am in the wrong for wondering this, and it is a sad thing that this happened, but why is his death so much in the media? Televised funeral? What about the other officers that died in duty or the service men/women that died fighting for our country. They don't get a televised funeral. What made this one different? I don't want this to come out in a harsh way at all or offend anyone, like I said it is indeed a sad occasion. I served in the USAF for 6 years, my dad is a security guard and retired USAF, and I have friends that are firefighters and sheriff officers, so I am surrounded by people that put their life on the line everyday.

cheermom....
in addtion to what KevC said.... there is a brotherhood among police officers that is incredibly close and tight.... so that is one very strong factor as to why so much attention...
but also..... while the firefighters also have a very difficult job and face danger when they respond to a fire, they pretty much KNOW what they are up against when they arrive (and I do say 'pretty much' because I realize there are at times incalulable risks, and some firefighters have died because of this), BUT... a police officer NEVER can know for sure what they may have to face at any given moment....
and while active duty military face some absolute threats in times of conflict/war, it is basically a KNOWN factor... yes, they can get ambushed, yes, their intelligence can be faulty, but the hotspots are basically known, the threats are fairly reasonably calculated..
Police officers face a very unique challenge (MOO!!) and they do it every day, rain or shine, war or peace, for an entire career, and they respond to scenes like Officer Moreno faced, with limited information.... anything can happen at any time.... and you know, they do it for US....
The SAPD offers ride-alongs from time to time with officers. I think everyone should try one of those at least once. Generally, they are offered on the graveyard shift and you see up close and personal and LIVE, everything the officer faces that night..... (you get to stay in the car and stay safe, of course...) It really is an interesting and QUITE informative ride..... I'm guessing the SAPD isn't going to be offering them for a while at this point, but that's just a guess.......
I am a HUGE supporter of police officers; I acknowledge there are bad apples in a few hot spots around the country, but for the overwhelming majority they have my utmost respect and my undying gratitude!! I pray for them each and every single day...... they are continually in my prayers....
Now, lately, since Officer Moreno's death, I have specifically been praying that each officer receive DIVINE guidance on each and every call they make, because I know they surely must be very wary at this point in time.....
Hope you don't take this the wrong way, and hope it makes some sense.....