Thanks, Tony

Wednesday night around 2130, my home phone rang, and it was Chief Jim Peschong.  Jim was on his way to the hospital in York, about 40 miles away, and shared the tragic news that Officer Tony Howe had been killed in a single-vehicle traffic crash while on his way to work from his home there. Tony was an eight year veteran of LPD.  Our hearts and prayers go out to his wife, children, parents, and family.

From time to time, we have dealt with passing of a coworker. Sometimes it has been the culmination of a long struggle; sometimes it has happened in an unimaginable instant.  The thought of a young colleague suddenly taken from his family and friends is almost inconceivable.  It takes some time to sink in.  There was a pall over LPD last night and today.  That standard "how ya doin?" greeting was mysteriously absent, as was the laughter, the smiles, and friendly banter.  Everyone was thinking about Tony, and had the same lump-in-the-throat feeling.  It could have been any of us.  It could have been my family, my wife, my son, my dad, getting the news that Tony's family had to deal with.

I don't know whether this is unique to this work, because I really haven't done much anything else, but it seems to me that police officers develop a particularly strong bond.  It's probably similar in other jobs where people share a set of experiences, both inspiring and terrifying, that most people can barely relate too.  It creates a sense of family, a brotherhood and sisterhood, that's hard to describe, but palpable.  It brings us together in the times when the mutual support is most needed: in the face of both exhilarating accomplishments, or crushing blows, when we share the highs and lows of life.  It's a lot like a big extended family at such times, and in a strange way, even in tragedy it is comforting.

Tony Howe was a fine police officer and deputy sheriff. His career in law enforcement brought him to Lincoln in 2003, after serving at the York Police Department and the York County Sheriff's Office.  I felt fortunate at the time to have the opportunity to hire someone with Tony's experience, and he never dissappointed me. He was well-liked and respected here.  He was just recently assigned as an investigator in our Criminal Investigations Team.  This is a highly sought after position, and the selection is competitive.  You get this job when your supervisors and peers recognize your proven work ethic, performance, and talent as exemplary.   It is a testament to Tony's reputation and track record as a Lincoln police officer.  But more importantly, Tony was a fine husband, dad, son and man. He was exceptionally active in the community, and will be sorely missed by all those whose lives he touched.

Among the condolences I received yesterday was an unexpected one from the Executive Director of the Teammates Mentoring Program.  I am on the Teammates Board, yet I did not even know that Tony, aside from raising three children of his own, served as a mentor in his hometown. Suzanne wanted me to know that Tony will be missed by the youngster he has been partnered with for the past two years.  Police work is plenty exhausting. All the more so when you face an 80 mile round trip commute everyday to a night shift, with the not-so-unusual court appearances, hearings, training sessions and the like, which almost inevitably take place in the middle of your "night" or on your days off.  Yet despite a demanding career and a growing family, the blur of work, kids, cub scouts, youth sports, and Sunday school, Tony made room to serve as a one-on-one mentor to a youngster who needed his presence, encouragement, and support.

Hard to think of a better example of someone who stepped up to the plate for the benefit of others. Thanks, Tony, for all you've done, and may God bless you and your family.