NYPD Officer Peter Figoski

Every since I was aware of what my father did for a living, my heart would sink whenever I heard that a Police Officer was shot in the line of duty. Thankfully, I never received the dreaded phone call that Peter Figoski's 4 girls did last week. Now as an adult, I still stop in my tracks when I hear that a Police Officer has been shot or injured on the job and I immediately call my husband. Last night as my husband was gathering his dress blues to get ready to attend the funeral of a fallen fellow NYPD Officer I couldn't help but realize gravity of what he does every day, he puts his life on the line. He and thousands of other men and women of the NYPD put their lives on the line for this great city. And how are they thanked? Well basically they are not.

The media never puts a positive story about all the good that the men and women of the NYPD do. If there is a scandal or drunk driver or a thief, well we are sure to hear about that, but never the good. There are approximately 40,000 members of the the NYPD but the media chooses to only publicize the less than 1% of the bad ones. Well what about the 99+% of the great ones? What about the officers that live an hour and half away from their jobs because they can not afford to live closer? And make that commute every day, and when they work overtime often they sleep at the precinct, away from their family's, all in the name of the job! What about the officers that sit in the hospital with a rape victim for hours and then accompany them to court just so the victim will be comfortable. What about all the female officers that work the overnight so they can be home for their kids during the day . What about all the holidays that NYPD officers have to work and be away from their families all for this great city. Do we every hear about that? NO The job of an NYPD officer does not stop at the Precinct and an arrest. They work tirelessly with victims, doctors, medical examiners and district attorneys to ensure convictions on cases they build, but we never hear about them until they are killed by thugs who should not even be on the street.

As my husband tried on his unifrom last night, the kids were so excited because they have never seen him in it before. Captain Jack immediately asked me to get his "Police costume" and he dressed up just like Papa. There was loads of excitment in the house and as we took photos and had fun I couldnt help but cry for those 4 girls who are buring their father today.

RIP Officer Figoski, May God hold you in the palm of his hand...