Friday, January 27, 2012

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.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

The bond amongst this family is indeed strong, one of the strongest I have ever seen. When my husband a new officer had an accident at our home on christmas (one which he quickly recovered from), I was taken care of by this entire family! I think I may of met a hundred police officers that day, all for the "new guy" and his wife. That kind of love and support is somthing I will never ever forget.

Former Deputy D said...

Rest In Peace Tony. To all his family: Relatives and fellow Law Enforcement Officers, I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless you all!

Anonymous said...

Thank you Officer Howe. You will never be forgotten, as long as we have our memories of you. Rest in Peace dear friend.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful human being Tony was. I feel so bad for his family. I ask that everyone not forget them throughout the year. They have a lot of hard "first's" to get through. First birthdays without him, first Christmas without him, etc. I know when I lost my brother it helped that months after the funeral, when the shock was wearing off, people would tell me they remember my brother and were thinking of our family. I ask that people do the same for Tony's family. When the shock wears off, and it will, the hurt will be so very deep. That is when Tony's family will need support. A meal, or even a card to say we are still thinking of you all. Once again, I am so sorry Tony's family, both at home family and work family, have to go through this.

Jenn

Steve said...

I didn't know Tony, but it's obvious he was loved and respected by all. My best wishes to his family.

Anonymous said...

So true what you said, Jenn. My prayers go out to his family (blood and blue) and his friends. You'll be missed, Tony.

Anonymous said...

I am so very sorry for all his family, friends and co-workers. It's truly heart-breaking, even to those of us that didn't know him personally. When the world loses a good and honorable man, we all feel the loss.

Anonymous said...

In a short news conference Jim Peschong with a tear in his eye and crack in his voice showed the community the true LPD: caring, compassionate and professional. Because we are this kind of agency we are able to attract people like Tony. Because we are this kind of agency, the hurt is just a little deeper. Because we are this kind of agency we will step up for Tony's family just as he did so many times for us. God Bless you Tony.

Anonymous said...

Rest In Peace Tony. Tell Vicki Hi
from all of us. Now you can help her watch over us. The Good Lord knows we need it.

Pastor Fuller said...

Director, Fine and befitting words indeed for a good man. 5 years hanging around the stations, and I never really realized, as an outsider, until that night, how much of a loving and caring family it is within LPD community. A wise man once said that everything rises and falls upon leadership. You, as director, and Chiefs Peshong and Jackson are tremendous examples, not only of great law officers, but of tremendous human beings. Monday will be difficult, but I am sure Tony will receive a fitting send off.

Anonymous said...

I was blessed to work with Tony during several of his years with LPD. I can't say enough good things about him as an officer, but he was even a better man. Tony was so proud of his wife and sons, and it was obvious every time he talked about them. Lately he loved talking about Nerf gun battles with his sons. I hope his sons turn out to be the same kind of men that Tony was, men of honor and integrity.

Valerie Oakleaf said...

Chief,
Thank you so much for your words. I worked with Tony in York both when he was at the Police Department and directly with him at the Sheriff's Department. He was such a great guy and will be missed by many, many people. His family would send you their thanks as well.
Valerie R. Oakleaf