One sad Day

I don’t watch the news, or read the newspaper; I just don’t have time between work, school, and my family. My wife seems to be the one who keeps me caught up on what’s going on in the world and what the weather forecast is going to be for the week.

One story in the news that I kept up to date on was when Officer Shawn Schneider was shot and killed in Lake City, Minnesota. This was one of the saddest days I think that town has ever seen.  I don’t live in Lake City, but I work there. This is a small town and when I’m there I have never thought twice e about leaving my car running while I run into the gas station, grocery store, or the bank. I wouldn’t even lock my doors at work; it’s just one of those towns you feel safe in. 

I kept up to date on this news story because it hit so close to home, and the incident happened about a block from where I work.   It was the morning of December, 8 2011. The morning started off normal, it was a normal busy day at work. About 8:40am we heard over our radios/walkie talkies that we wear for communication someone saying “SHOTS FIRED, SHOTS FIRED, SECURE THE BUILDING” My heart just sank, and could not believe what I was hearing. As a supervisor it was my job to make sure every gate and door was locked and that all of my 55+ employees were accounted for.  We were told by the Lake City Police Department that no one was to come in or leave the building until further notice. They had also informed us that there had been a shooting about a block away and they were looking for the suspect.  The day went on we continued and we were on lock down, all the schools were on lockdown, and the entire town of lake city was blocked off.  There were police officers, SWAT team, FBI, and the bomb squad in Lake City. I have never seen anything like this in this area in my 30 years of life. What an awful and sad day! About 5:30pm that day we were informed that they found the suspect in the house where this all took place, and he had died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 

We learned later that day that Officer Schneider was responding to a domestic disturbance when this all took place. Officer Schneider held on to life for 3 weeks and passed away on December 30 2011. I couldn’t believe this when I heard the news, it brought me to tears. My heart goes out to all of his family, friends and the Lake City Police Department. What a brave man to give up his life for another.  When something like this happens it makes you think about everything police officers, and the men and women in the military do for us. How they keep us all safe and put their lives on the line on a daily just going to work. Thank you to all who serve and all who have loved ones who serve.  I have great appreciation for what you do, and to the families of these people, thank you for letting them do what they do. ! Every day on my way to work me drive past this home where it all took place, and think of him and his family it breaks my heart. This all makes me appreciate my family even more that I did before, and also makes me realize that it can all be gone in a blink of an eye!  Live your life like it’s your last day every day because any day can be your last! RIP Officer Schneider!