And then there was Sunday.

This week I attended the memorial service for Detective Sergeant Butch Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler. Two Santa Cruz Police Officers gunned down last week by a suspect in a misdemeanor sexual assault case. 7,000 people representing countless law enforcement offices, fire departments, politicians and community members gathered at the HP Pavilion in San Jose to remember the lost, comfort the living and to be encouraged in faith.

 
Butch leaves behind a wife, two daughters and a son. He was months from retirement after serving over thirty years as a police officer. His son is just beginning his career as a Santa Cruz Police Officer and now follows in his father's footsteps. I watched this young man bury his head in his white gloved hands as a recording of a dispatcher called his dad's radio call sign three times with no response. It ended with the dispatcher broadcasting, "Detective Sergeant Loran "Butch" Baker, end of watch February 26, 2013." My heart was broken.

Elizabeth leaves behind her partner and father of their two small boys. Her five-year-old son wore his mother's police hat during the service. His father brought him to the stage and asked him if he wanted to say hi to the crowd. A small voice simply said, "Hi." My heart was broken again.

The best story of the day was about when Elizabeth got her first search warrant. Guided by a senior detective, Elizabeth wrote her probable cause for the warrant, got it reviewed by a member of the District Attorney's Office and found a judge who was willing to sign off on the document. She waited in the back of a courtroom until the judge called her into his chambers. The judge, a very thorough and serious man, read through the warrant and raised his right hand so Elizabeth could attest to the information it contained. Elizabeth, in turn, gave the judge a high five! The judge had a look of surprise and shock, the senior detective was horrified and Elizabeth stood there with a big grin on her face, pumped that the judge shared her enthusiasm and triumph!

This was, unfortunately, one of only a few moments of laughter in what I can only describe as a terrible day. The pastor officiating the service closed the memorial by commenting on how the tragedy of the past ten days is reflective of what happened on Good Friday. As Elizabeth and Butch were murdered by an evil man, so Christ was put to death on a cross by evil people who conspired and plotted against him. All innocents; all murdered; leaving us to question why bad things happen to good people. And then there was Sunday...

In the darkness of grief, loss and confusion; a light shined on Easter Sunday. Jesus Christ was resurrected. Raised from the dead, triumphing over evil. It is in this resurrection that we find hope. That all things will be renewed and loved ones lost through death will be reunited. It is in this hope that healing begins.

The service ended and three columns of law enforcement and fire personnel lined the street for blocks to say a final goodbye to Butch and Elizabeth. Taps sounded in the distance and we stood at attention as Butch and Elizabeth, the families and the entire Santa Cruz Police Department left the arena in silence. Only the sound of first responder helicopters flying over in tribute was heard.

It is my prayer that both Butch and Elizabeth will meet Jesus face to face. This time, Elizabeth will high five Jesus not because she has to take an oath, but because both Jesus and Elizabeth share the enthusiasm and triumph of conquering death and knowing peace that surpasses all understanding.

Pray with me that their families and colleagues left behind will find comfort from the loved ones that surround them and that the Holy Spirit will guide them to find peace in the midst of suffering.

"Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves." 1 Corinthians 13:7

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4