Oct 1 Thank you

I wanted to reach out today and say thank you for all of the support, thoughts, and prayers we’ve received as our community continues to deal with the Route 91 shooting.  As each of you in the public safety communications community knows, we train understanding the importance of being prepared for an attack like this, hoping that the better angels of our nature prevail and our community won’t be faced with such a shocking event.  But when we do face such an event, coming to terms with what’s happened can be difficult.

Personally, the thing I’ve found that has made it all bearable is the pride I feel in the members of our agencies and our community.  It seems odd to speak of pride in relation to something so tragic, but I think it’s imperative that we stop to reflect on why we do what we do and how our actions have a positive impact during horrific situations.  The fact that those in the public safety industry can focus on the tragedy at hand, to the exclusion of their own feelings and concerns, is nothing short of amazing.

Our PSAP has received such an outpouring of support that it’s impossible for me to articulate the positive impact it’s had on us.  We’ve received cards, letters, and packages full of thoughtful items, all meant to put a smile on our faces when we need it most.  And it works.  I’ve caught myself mired in thought, rehashing the event, and then I see a letter written by an elementary school student and it lifts my spirits.  It’s the kind of thing that I didn’t know I needed until I needed it, and I’ll be forever grateful.

I don’t really know how to express to the victims and their families what is in our hearts.  As big as Las Vegas is, it’s still a relatively small community and there are so many who have been impacted.  Their stories of courage and perseverance are truly inspiring.  One of the victims in our community was also a member of our LVMPD family.  Officer Charleston Hartfield was dedicated to his family and community in so many ways that it’s difficult to write anything that comes close to doing him justice.   I invite each of you to take a moment and view this memorial to an incredible person.

Thank you all,

Elliott Davis

Metropolitan Police Department

Communications Bureau

Nevada APCO President