Covid.. its personal now....
Jul 20, 2021 15:08:32 GMT
Post by Lord Newport on Jul 20, 2021 15:08:32 GMT
I lost my best friend to Covid yesterday. He was one of the most considerate, caring end empathetic people I have ever known. We met thru shooting/ IDPA competition and tactical training. Our friendship developed further as I got he and his wife into horses, investing as well as just enjoying life together. He and his wife were there for me when I lost my Father in 2019 as well as my Mother and my beloved dog within a month of each other in 2013. I had just spoken to him and dropped off some chicken soup from a local Italian restaurant on the front doorstep on Sunday.
Jerry had a career of service to his country and local community, enlisting in the Army after High School, he married his childhood sweetheart and after a hitch as a infantrymen in 82nd Airborne, was selected for flight school and flew Blackhawks and Apache's for the Army, finishing an Army career as a CW4 before becoming an LA County Sheriff's deputy where he spent 8 years in patrol before moving into the department's Aero bureau flying aerial patrol and search/rescue missions for the rest of his career. He was one of the most reasonable and compassionate LEO's I have ever met. As an example, with the George Floyd situation he said he would have handled the situation differently, understanding the concerns of someone who was high and claustrophobic, he would not have tried to get such a big guy into the tiny cage in the back of a Ford Explorer. He would have called a van to come get the suspect. He always felt that the downsizing of police vehicles was a mistake.
He called me a week ago today to tell me he had tested positive for Covid at work ( he was an LA County Sheriffs Deputy working as a bailiff in the court system). His wife called me yesterday morning frantic and the only thing I could make out was that that the Paramedics were there for Jerry. I assumed he was not getting better and was being taken to the hospital. After she ended the call I waited 5 min to call back to see what hospital he was being taken to... only for her to tell me that no, Jerry was "gone". I can not describe the shock I felt...in one week to go from healthy to "gone".
I was vaccinated back in late February and had been frequently pressing Jerry to to get vaccinated too. He was a first responder and had priority. In addition he had several underlying conditions that were the basis for my concern...over 60, over weight and diabetic. I feel that I failed my friend because I was unable to convince him to get vaccinated nor did I simply pick him up and take him to get stuck. I also failed in that I did not forcefully suggest he go to the hospital as he was saying his symptoms were worsening. Jerry was always stoic about such things his wife confided in me that he was always embarrassed when he was sick.
I was going to comment on the pandemic and where I think science and the growing investigation into its origins will ultimately determine responsibility for it lays but thought better should I run afoul of all the SBG members with differing opinions. The truth will come out eventually and I hope to be here to tell you all I told you so.
I miss my friend so much. I am angry and disappointed with myself in that I did not do more to help him make better decisions. I feel responsible...we are all our bothers keepers. I am going to try and keep my mind off his loss by making myself busy helping his wife deal with all the logistical challenges she now faces.
Keep your family and friends close...life is so fragile and precious. Gone is gone!
Jerry had a career of service to his country and local community, enlisting in the Army after High School, he married his childhood sweetheart and after a hitch as a infantrymen in 82nd Airborne, was selected for flight school and flew Blackhawks and Apache's for the Army, finishing an Army career as a CW4 before becoming an LA County Sheriff's deputy where he spent 8 years in patrol before moving into the department's Aero bureau flying aerial patrol and search/rescue missions for the rest of his career. He was one of the most reasonable and compassionate LEO's I have ever met. As an example, with the George Floyd situation he said he would have handled the situation differently, understanding the concerns of someone who was high and claustrophobic, he would not have tried to get such a big guy into the tiny cage in the back of a Ford Explorer. He would have called a van to come get the suspect. He always felt that the downsizing of police vehicles was a mistake.
He called me a week ago today to tell me he had tested positive for Covid at work ( he was an LA County Sheriffs Deputy working as a bailiff in the court system). His wife called me yesterday morning frantic and the only thing I could make out was that that the Paramedics were there for Jerry. I assumed he was not getting better and was being taken to the hospital. After she ended the call I waited 5 min to call back to see what hospital he was being taken to... only for her to tell me that no, Jerry was "gone". I can not describe the shock I felt...in one week to go from healthy to "gone".
I was vaccinated back in late February and had been frequently pressing Jerry to to get vaccinated too. He was a first responder and had priority. In addition he had several underlying conditions that were the basis for my concern...over 60, over weight and diabetic. I feel that I failed my friend because I was unable to convince him to get vaccinated nor did I simply pick him up and take him to get stuck. I also failed in that I did not forcefully suggest he go to the hospital as he was saying his symptoms were worsening. Jerry was always stoic about such things his wife confided in me that he was always embarrassed when he was sick.
I was going to comment on the pandemic and where I think science and the growing investigation into its origins will ultimately determine responsibility for it lays but thought better should I run afoul of all the SBG members with differing opinions. The truth will come out eventually and I hope to be here to tell you all I told you so.
I miss my friend so much. I am angry and disappointed with myself in that I did not do more to help him make better decisions. I feel responsible...we are all our bothers keepers. I am going to try and keep my mind off his loss by making myself busy helping his wife deal with all the logistical challenges she now faces.
Keep your family and friends close...life is so fragile and precious. Gone is gone!