A sister in Christ sent this gem from Paul Harvey to me today. As usual, his words spoke volumes. He never shouted. He never used crude language. Paul Harvey was given a gift from our Lord. He was a master Wordsmith and speaker.
He had the gift of speaking truth in a calm – “let us reason together” tone. I believe that even in this world turned upside-down, if Mr. Harvey were still alive today, he would speak truths in the same manner; calmly, but with much conviction.
He is greatly missed.
Paul Harvey (1918-2009) was a radio broadcaster for the ABC Radio Networks. He gave the “Policeman” speech on talk radio nearly 40 years ago, and it is known as one of his best speeches…. Mr. Harvey’s father inspired this speech…. He was a police officer who was shot and killed while doing what police officers do every day. The text to the speech is included in the video.
Paul Harvey Video: A Tribute to Police Officers <click to watch and hear
Also, here is a transcript of his words:
A policeman is a composite of what all men are, I guess – a mingling of a saint and sinner, dust and deity.
Culled statistics wave the fan over stinkers, underscore instances of dishonesty and brutality because they are “news.” What that really means is that they are exceptional; they are unusual; they are not commonplace. Buried under the froth is the fact: And the fact is that less than one-half of one percent of policemen misfit that uniform. And that is a better average than you’d find among clergymen.
What is a policeman? He, of all men, is at once the most needed… and the most wanted – a strangely nameless creature who is “sir” to his face and “pig” or worse behind his back.
He must be such a diplomat that he can settle differences between individuals so that each will think he won.
But… if a policeman is neat, he’s conceited. If he’s careless, he’s a bum. If he’s pleasant, he’s a flirt. If he’s not, he’s a grouch.
He must make instant decisions which would require months for a lawyer.
But… if he hurries, he’s careless. If he’s deliberate, he’s lazy. He must be first to an accident; infallible with a diagnosis. He must be able to start breathing, stop bleeding, tie splints – and above all, be sure the victim goes home without a limp – or expect to be sued.
The police officer must know every gun, draw on the run, and hit… where it doesn’t hurt. He must be able to whip two men twice his size and half his age without damaging his uniform and without being “brutal.” If you hit him, he’s a coward. If he hits you, he’s a bully.
A policeman must know everything… and not tell. He must know where all of the sin is… and not partake.
The policeman, from a single human hair, must be able to describe the crime, the weapon, the criminal, and tell you where the criminal is hiding.
But… if he catches the criminal, he’s lucky. If he doesn’t, he’s a dunce. If he gets promoted, he has political pull. If he doesn’t, he’s a dullard.
The policeman must chase bum leads to a dead-end, stake out ten nights to tag one witness who saw it happen but refuses to remember.
He runs files and writes reports until his eyes ache to build a case against some felon who’ll get “dealed out” by a shameless shamus or an honorable who isn’t honorable.
The policeman must be a minister, a social worker, a diplomat, a tough guy… and a gentle-man.
And, of course, he’ll have to be genius, because he’ll have to feed a family… on a policeman’s salary. – end of transcript
I felt it appropriate to write this piece around Paul Harvey’s brilliant speech. Are there officers who should not be in the Police force – of course; and those should be dealt with and removed.
But as Paul Harvey said, the percentage of “bad officers” is less than even clergymen. But again, those within that percentage have no right wearing the police uniform and carrying a gun.
What the media has done is to take the bad apples and present them as the norm. This is not true, but should we be surprised hearing this from the Left? Rhetorical question.
I salute every hard-working, compassionate and caring police officer. We should be praying for these men and women who daily place their lives in jeopardy to protect the lives of others.
Father, please protect our police force. Help those in positions of authority to spot the officers who should not be in the force, and weed them out according to their misdeeds. Help Americans to see that we must pray and stand up for the greater percentage of decent and courageous officers in our country. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Shalom b’Yeshua
MARANATHA!!
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