Memorial - 2000

SURVIVING

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF A SURVIVOR PER SE?
A PERSON WHO'S LOST A LOVED ONE ALONG THE WAY.

WHETHER IT BE IN THE LINE OF DUTY OR NOT,
THE SURVIVOR IS LEFT WITH A HOLE IN THEIR HEART.

FRIENDS AND DEPARTMENTS ARE GREAT, AT FIRST,
THEN THEY FADE AWAY, THAT IS THE WORST.

A SURVIVOR IS LEFT TO FEND ON THEIR OWN,
EMOTIONS GROW SOMBER, THEY'RE OUT IN THE COLD.

IT'S NO ONE'S FAULT, IT'S HUMAN NATURE,
WHAT DO WE SAY, HOW DO WE FACE THEM?

THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT HELP, SURVIVORS ARE THEY,
THEY'VE BEEN THERE THEMSELVES, THEY KNOW WHAT TO SAY.

SURVIVORS HELPING EACH OTHER, CREATING A BOND,
SURVIVORS SHARING FEELINGS CAN NEVER GO WRONG.

THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY IS DIFFERENT, RIGHT?
AN OFFICER'S LIFE CAN BE STOLEN LATE ONE NIGHT.

IT'S AN UNSPOKEN WORD, OFFICER'S AND FAMILY SHARE,
WE ALL KNOW THE RISKS, WE KNOW IT'S NOT FAIR.

THE NEXT TIME YOU SEE A SURVIVOR, DON'T SHY AWAY,
DON'T SAVE THAT PHONE CALL, FOR THE NEXT RAINY DAY.

BE THE FRIEND THAT YOU WERE, TALK OF THEIR SPOUSE,
INVITE THEIR CHILDREN, TO COME AND PLAY AT YOUR HOUSE.

IT'S TOUGH BEING A SURVIVOR, ESPECIALLY ALONE,
SO HELP THEM ALONG, PICK UP THE PHONE.

-Sgt. Robert Norlemann
L.A.S.D.-Santa Clarita
August 20, 2000-