Rambling Off Topic

   I have realized that I have mostly been posting way off topic and so I have decided to get back on track.  Yesterday I launched a Tumblr page for my miscellaneous meandering muses.  From now on when I feel compelled to post my random ramblings I will be doing them on my new Tumblr page.  Professor Kim D will return to posting on topic, i.e. Criminal Justice, Animals and also how they relate to each other. Oh, and here is the link to my Tumblr page:  http://professorkimd.tumblr.com/   Miscellanea Me. 

Captain William Harry Thompson

9/11In Memory

   9/11 - so many emotions, so many stories, so many lives changed.  

State of New York Court Officer patch

   In searching for statistics for a blog post on 9/11 I found this video that NY State Court Officer Captain William Harry Thompson's son had posted on YouTube.  It is a piece that aired on Oprah where Captain Thompson's sons paid tribute to their dad.who died on 9/11. Tributes for Captain Thompson have been many, as he was well respected in the NY State Court system.  A great role model for what an officer and a leader should be.  However; it is beautiful to watch this tribute from his sons and to see that he was also a great role model of what a man and father should be. 

        

 Remembered for how he died, respected for how he lived. 

New York State Courts patch

Remembering Emergency Workers of 9/11

Lafayette St NYC became Court Officer Memorial Way

   Wikipedia lists 414 Emergency Worker killed on 9/11.  I think everyone is familiar with most of these losses:  343 FDNY (341 Firefighters and 2 Paramedics), 37 Port Authority Police Officers, 23 New York City Police Officers, 8 EMTs from private entities and 3 New York State Court Officers.  God Bless them all, they run in when everyone else runs out.  It is what they do, it is what makes them heroes.

Corner of Lafayette and Franklin NYC is now Captain William Thompson Corner

   The 3 New York State Court Officers are often overlooked, and since they were my brother officers I feel compelled to remember them every 9/11.  Captain William Harry Thompson rushed to help from the New York State Court Officer's Academy on Williams St.  Senior Court Officer Thomas Jurgens (sadly he had a cousin with the PAPD who also perished that day) headed from his command on Center St.  Senior Court Officer Mitchel Wallace saw the disaster unfolding as he exited the subway on Canal St.  He was on his way to work at his command on Center St and instead chose to respond to the World Trade Center just like Captain Thompson, SCO Jurgens and numerous Court Officers who likewise responded to assist in anyway possible.  What separates these First Responders from the others is that technically they did NOT have to be there, their job did NOT require them to respond.  However; as Law Enforcement Officers, Emergency Workers and First Responders they knew it was their duty to be there.  

Fraternal Order of Court Officers Challenge Coin in Memory 9/11

      So I ask you to remember these 3 heroes from 9/11.

Plaque Nassau Supreme Court in Memory 9/11

9/11 - Thirteen Years Gone By

In Remembrance of NY State Court Officers 9/11 http://artaid.org/

   It is the eve of 9/11 and it is hard to believe that 13 years have passed.  I still vividly remember that day; perhaps because I am from New York, or perhaps because I was a Law Enforcement Officer and 1st Responder or perhaps because 3 of my fellow NY Sate Court Officers perished at the World Trade Center.  All I know is that I will NEVER FORGET.

 My question to you is: HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN?  

Storm is Over, Power is Retored - I'm Back

Tree Down in Royal Oak, Michigan

   Friday evening we had a storm in southeastern Michigan.  The storm didn't last long, but the wind was powerful when it came through - taking down trees, branches and power lines.  My power was finally restored early this evening.  Not  a fan of NO power, but not the worst thing that can happen.  Glad to be restored and back in business.

Tree Down in Royal Oak, Michigan

Arts, Beats and Eats - Priceless Moment

Arts, Beats and Eats - Royal oak, Michigan

   Arts, Beats and eats was this weekend (more on that tomorrow).  Basically it is a street fair held every year here in Michigan (the last 5 in Royal Oak).  One of the things I enjoy is that Ford always has their new model vehicles located throughout the fair for all to see (some of them you can even get in and try on for size.)  

Ford F-150 at Arts, Beats and Eats

   The pickup trucks are always my favorite to see, but I also like the Mustangs, SUVs and whatever looks interesting or different.

Ford F-250 at Arts, Beats and Eats

   I wanted to take a picture of the new Mustang, but a man and his son were walking all around it checking it out.  The little boy was no more than 5 years old and more likely 3 or 4.  I waited patiently for them to finish and then I hear the dad say to his son...

Ford Mustang at Arts, Beats and Eats

"I BUILT THIS."  

Ford Mustang at Arts, Beats and Eats

So, glad I was there to see and hear that wonderful moment and the pride on the father's face.  

"I built this." = Priceless.