Bill Westenberger

Officers Who Serve are Built With Heart

BY BILL WESTENBERGER

When people see an officer, they may see only the uniform, badge and other tools the officer needs to do his or her job. Oftentimes, what they don’t see is what is underneath the gear. They don’t see the person, the one who has a family, dreams, desires, stress, personal setbacks and successes. People forget that a police officer is a person with a life, just like those they serve. " However, sometimes people have an opportunity to see an officer’s heart. Unfortunately, those situations rarely make the front page or the lead news story. There’s no doubt that there have been officers that should have never worn a badge. But, in my 30 years of service, I’ve been fortunate to rarely see or work beside such a person.

I want to paint a different picture of the officers I have seen. It’s one that is built with heart. The heart I’m speaking of is not an organ; it is the heart that builds a foundation to support courage, overcome fear, recognize injustice and do what’s right in every way. The heart that finds a way to put others before themselves, and will run into danger when others need to escape it. I’m proud to know many examples of officers showing their hearts, and some more recent cases.

A few years ago, one of our officers started a foundation that restores dignity to those in need. It began when storms and flooding tore a community apart in a neighboring state. The officer got a friend, truck and a boat, and he went to the area to help where he could. Through his ability to recognize needs in several ravished communities and his passion to serve, he solicited help from businesses and built a foundation. Through the Bill Westenberger has served as chief since 2008. foundation and his vision, he has a truck to wash clothes He was given the 2019 Kennesaw Citizen of the Year Award. and a shower trailer for victims and responders. When he’s not traveling to devastated communities, in his time off, he supports those in need locally, by working with other organizations to help the homeless. A more localized case includes a teenager experiencing a mental crisis, leaving home and walking down a busy road. The family called us in need, even though they did not trust the police. The officer was able to locate the teenager, spend a great deal of time in communication and enjoy a meal together. The heart that Recently, two officers working finds a way to together noticed an item had fallen from a vehicle, shattering glass over put others before the road. The officers recognized that themselves, and it being the weekend, city clean-up resources were minimal. They located will run into danger brooms and dustpans to clear the road. when others need Without a citizen noticing and taking the time to commend the officer, I would probably have never known. I later learned that one of the same officers was helping a resident, who had been living in unsanitary conditions, find assistance. to escape it. " I could go on with account after account of officers serving in ways most of us would never hear about. Without someone else telling their stories, we would know nothing. Many officers are shy to know they’re being recognized for what they do. So, the next time you see officers, think of these stories that lie underneath the gear in their big blue hearts. Until next time … stay safe.