March 8 – “Honoring Officer Sanderson”

I joined our Galveston Fire Department Honor Guard and chiefs at a funeral yesterday.  On-duty fire fighters were also part of the occasion, helping to block traffic for the funeral procession to the cemetery.  And our honor guard helped with the casket watch at the funeral home the day before.  Why such an appearance?  We were joining hundreds of others in honoring the life of a Galveston police officer who died after a lengthy battle with cancer.  Officer Sanderson was only 31 years old, but throughout his chemo and radiation treatments, he refused to limit his time on shift.  He served as a canine officer as well as a marine diver.  One anecdote shared about him said that when he went to dives after his treatment began, he would put duct tape over the port in his chest so he could continue.  Sounded like he was quite a committed young man.

There were representatives from police departments all over our area on hand to pay their respects.  Check out some of those that I saw: Pearland, League City, Alvin, Constable, Sheriff, game warden, Houston, Galveston county ambulance, Hitchcock, Dickinson, Friendswood, Baytown, Texas City, UTMB, LaMarque, Bayou Vista, Santa Fe, Texas Department of Public Safety, Webster, Port of Galveston, Kemah, Pasadena, Lake Jackson, Jamaica Beach, Freeport, Katy, Tiki Island, Santa Fe ISD.  There were also representatives from the Galveston County Auto crimes task force, the mounted officers unit, Beach Patrol Surf Rescue, Marine Division, and probably others I couldn't identify.

One of the most impressive things was the presence of fifteen or so officers from the Canine division lined up with their dogs.  Most of the dogs were German Shepherds, as I would have expected.  There was one classic bloodhound, though, and another that looked like a standard poodle with all of its hair shaved except for a beard on its face.  All the dogs were a little unsettled, but for the most part they were remarkably well-behaved.  There was one small altercation, though.  One of the shepherds slipped his restraint and went after another of the dogs before the officers could separate them.  It was a brief little brawl, but all was well in mere seconds.  The officers’ command of the animals was actually amazing.  Officer Sanderson’s canine partner was allowed into the service, and he added a few comments to the priest’s sermon here and there. 

It was a rather chilling feeling to be a part of so many standing at attention and saluting as the hearse arrived with the casket and the limos with the family.  The silence was broken only by an occasional sniffle or the far-off cry of a seagull.  Even the cameras stopped clicking and whirring for a long moment or two.  The scene was repeated after the service concluded.  Officers and honor guards lined the walk from the church door to the hearse and limos.  The Patriot Guard was on hand with motorcycles and flags.  On-duty fire fighters arranged trucks to block traffic along the procession route from the church to the cemetery. 

Pockets of citizens holding flags solemnly stood as the line of official vehicles passed by.  One group of wrecker trucks meticulously parked in formation along the route and flew American flags.  Two fire department ladder trucks extended ladders from opposite sides of the street and hung a huge American flag between them, as the procession made its way beneath.  Later that day I listened to the playing of the final radio call for Officer Sanderson.  That is always a sobering experience.

All in all, it was a breathtaking experience.  I’m proud of the participation of our GFD honor guard, both in the casket watch and in being a part of the service day ceremonies.  These young men train hard to represent the department and honor the fallen.  I am honored to be considered their mascot of sorts. 

2 Thessalonians 3:16 says, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”

Father, walk with Officer Sanderson’s family as they continue to deal with their grief.  And bless our honor guard as they continue to train and perfect for this beyond the call of duty task they have taken on.   Amen.