Police funeral

JohnR

Today was the funeral of a 2 year veteran of our police dept. He had celebrated his 1st wedding anniversary 3 days before and was killed by a 17 year old the same day as his father's birthday. Sad day...he was only 27.

wxwax

Thanks for posting these. Very sad. The middle shot shows me something I've never seen before, I appreciate it.

Angelo

John:

Thanks for sharing. I too have never seen an honor guard as shown in #2. Very sad story.

Tim Kirkwood

John,


Thanks for sharing these in deed. I would have normally been down there for easter but unforeseen events left us here in Cincinnati for easter.

I am sorry I was unable to be there for this event.



Tim

P.S. Do you find it hard to photograph sad events. What I mean is people noramlly associate pictures with happy or pretty things. I have tried to photograph unhappy times or events and the looks and comments from people can be towards the negitive, such as "how can you take pictures this is so sad" its hard to find the proper answer for those types of questions. Did you have anyone question you while shooting? I would suspect that in this situation that you did not. But to give you an example my grandpa is fighting a losing battle against cancer. He is in and out of the hospital and from time to time I have photographed him, the nurses giving meds, ect. and have had some very odd looks and comments. Just wondering if you or anyone else has been in a very simular situation and wondered what your thoughts are.



Tim

JohnR

Tim Kirkwood wrote:

John,


Thanks for sharing these in deed. I would have normally been down there for easter but unforeseen events left us here in Cincinnati for easter.

I am sorry I was unable to be there for this event.



Tim

P.S. Do you find it hard to photograph sad events. What I mean is people noramlly associate pictures with happy or pretty things. I have tried to photograph unhappy times or events and the looks and comments from people can be towards the negitive, such as "how can you take pictures this is so sad" its hard to find the proper answer for those types of questions. Did you have anyone question you while shooting? I would suspect that in this situation that you did not. But to give you an example my grandpa is fighting a losing battle against cancer. He is in and out of the hospital and from time to time I have photographed him, the nurses giving meds, ect. and have had some very odd looks and comments. Just wondering if you or anyone else has been in a very simular situation and wondered what your thoughts are.



Tim

In this instance, no...there were a couple of other people up on the bridge with me taking photos. I would have felt self-conscious had I been to the burial site and was close...but would have done it with a tele-zoom.


As far as your grandfather goes, I would just tell whomever that you are wanting to document his life if he doesn't mind.

Andy

excellent series, john.
thanks for sharing, very powerful.

Nir

John,

I too salute your fallen comrade.

JohnR

Thanks guys. The saddest part is at the gravesite when the dispatcher calls out his patrol number 3 times with no response...man...that'll break any man down. :cry

This is part of the reason I got out of police work.

ridetwistyroads

Second picture says so much. Very, very touching. Thanks for sharing, John.

lr1811

sad day

JohnR wrote:

Thanks guys. The saddest part is at the gravesite when the dispatcher calls out his patrol number 3 times with no response...man...that'll break any man down. :cry

This is part of the reason I got out of police work.

I'm not even sure what to say. I've been in law enforcement now for about 11-12 years and every time I see/hear about these stories it is very tuff. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and the community.

ginger_55

Too bad about the policeman. A crime actually, actually.

I love to take sad photos. I love to see them. I think your taking photos of your grandfather is an act of love. Photographs like that are as real to me as photographs at other events in one's life.

I don't know that I have ever been into photography at the same time as a sad "public" event where anyone could say anything to me, such as my mother's funeral. If I did not know the people I would not care what they said, would probably move a bit and change my angle.

If I am too involved, as I was after we lost our dwelling and all possessions in the 1989 Hurricane Hugo, I am angry at being photographed. I was in a group where one of the photographers was. I voiced my anger, she responded that she understood, but that her photos and others help bring the funds for relief. That made sense, I still felt exploited. But I would say I was angry and just made the photographers a safe place to put my anger.

I think the last time I was asked about photographing something, I responded that I thought this should be recorded and remembered.

Children who are sad, not crying hard, but sad...........I love photographing that. I love looking at the photographs. Last fall I had a chance to photograph my grandkids hysterically happily playing, I did, and I like them as much as I do the sad photos I have. I think it is strong emotion that I like.

Why should photographing, recording a sad event be that much different from recording a happy one as long as you are not intruding. It is particularly nice when the people don't see it as an intrusion. Sadness can be as human and beautiful as happiness. More sometimes.

ginger

blackwaterstudio

JohnR wrote:

Thanks guys. The saddest part is at the gravesite when the dispatcher calls out his patrol number 3 times with no response...man...that'll break any man down. :cry

This is part of the reason I got out of police work.

I've been to two fallen officers funerals. Its not the best of times. With me being a LEO myself I know the risks that go along with the job. But this is something I have faced and I know that one day I may walk out of my house and not come back.

You sure don't do this job for the money, but I love my job and I love being able to help people. Nothing in this world gives me more satisfaction then seeing the look on people's faces when you've helped them.

RIP to the fallen officer.

Thin blue line, never cross it.

fstop

Well it is nice to see some current and ex-officers in a camera forum. It is not often you see any of us pop out from relative anonymity, but it is nice to see all the same. It is my first post to this forum and I chose to do it on this thread. I have been to too many of these things and your picture evokes those same emotions that you experience being there. Even to the securing of the number over the air. Great capture, and I hope you all stay safe....