San Bernardino Deputy Depicts ‘Heart, Faith And Hope’ In Powerful Photo

“National Police Week begins on May 15^th each year. It was created to honor and remember fallen officers from across the Nation.

In our line of work, nothing is a guarantee. One of the hardest things about our jobs is that we don’t know if we will go home at the end of our shift; when we kiss our families goodbye that might be the last time.

So before leaving, we hope for a safe return and a kiss is the only thing we can give them.

I have been a deputy for four years now. I graduated from the Frank Bland Regional Training Center, Class #194. I started my law enforcement career in the jail at West Valley Detention Center.  After three years, I was transferred to the Yucaipa Sheriff’s Station to begin the next step of my career as a patrol deputy.

I have now been working patrol for over one year. I enjoy working in the county I grew up in, and I am raising my family here. A lot of law enforcement officers live in the very communities we work.

We want the communities we serve to know that above all, we are human. We care and want to make a positive influence, yes, we will make mistakes, but we do our very best to make a difference.

As far as the photo taken of me praying before my shift, we did not imagine that so many people would see it.

It was a mere expression of my heart, faith, and hope for not only my partners to be safe but for my safety as well so I may return home to my beautiful wife and two amazing children every day. I wish this for every man and woman who puts on the badge.

Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. There are many rewarding moments in this career, and sadly some very difficult ones too. If this photo in any way inspired someone during troubling times, I am grateful for that.

In our department, we are a family, and that’s what a family does for each other.

One of the greatest things about this country we live in is the fact that while we are alive and breathing, we are free to pray and worship in the religion we believe in.

During this National Police Week, I pray for the fallen that have given the ultimate sacrifice, and their families left without a father, mother, husband, wife, brother, sister, son or daughter.”

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Deputy David Wedge, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Join the Love What Matters family and subscribe to our newsletter.

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