Thank you for all the Congratulations!

Twenty years ago my 68 classmates and I, of the 107th Training Troop, marched across the stage to receive our badges and take the oath to serve the citizens of the State of Connecticut. Before our Field Training period had ended, a classmate and two other Troopers had been injured in a shootout and another classmate was no longer on the job. Over the next twenty years, several more classmates would survive deadly force encounters, sometimes having to take the lives of those trying to do harm against them or others. Two classmates would also take their own lives and the life of a third person. We all would experience intense joy, feel the contentment of deep purpose and the immense weight of great loss. For many of us, the greatest loss would be at Sandy Hook.

Through it all, I feel extremely fortunate to still be holding my head up high, committed as ever, thankful, and proud to be a CT State Trooper. Many thanks to everyone that has made this journey possible and thank you to my LinkedIn network for all the "Congratulations" on the 20th Anniversary of our graduation. I haven't yet decided how much longer I'll wear this cover, but I know I'll finish strong!