I’m certain most of the community is aware of the fatality accident that occurred on Saturday, Feb. 29. For the people involved, I have little doubt that this day will ever be forgotten. As I stated in the news release, we requested Missouri State Highway Patrol to investigate that incident and I do not intend to talk about the details of the accident here. We will wait for the official findings of that inquiry and will respond appropriately when those facts are brought forth.
When I began writing these articles two months ago, I had no idea that I would be facing such an incident as a leader. Without question, this last week has been one of the most difficult weeks in my career. However, my difficulty is not what this article is about.
Three days before the accident, I happened to be at the license bureau waiting in line. There was a young lady working there that was telling a story to her coworkers. I didn’t know this girl, but she stood out to me as she worked, she laughed, telling a funny story to her friends. Positivity is contagious and a stranger brightened my day just a bit.
Three days later, I would be standing roadside at the scene of the accident and trying to take in what occurred. While asking who was involved, I was given names of the injured and the one who would not survive. At some point early on, I searched Facebook to see if I knew this person. When I saw her face, I immediately recognized her as the woman from three days prior. The gravity of this situation had fully sunk in.
Jumping back about 19 years ago, I was starting a new position as a detective for Sikeston DPS. A large part of my new job would be to interview suspected criminals. Initially, I found this to be somewhat difficult because I felt like I didn’t have much in common with many suspects. As time went on, interview after interview and year after year, I came to a very different conclusion. My experience as an investigator taught me a very valuable lesson, one that I still carry with me today.
It surprised me that I had a lot in common with most of these suspected offenders. Even though some of them had allegedly done some terrible things, what I found was that these were just regular people — people who were dealing with life and maybe coming from different circumstances than I had, people who were struggling with real problems and often trying the wrong solution, people with drug or alcohol problems in which they hadn’t yet found a solution or people who may have acted out in a moment which led them sitting at my desk that day.
The various reasons for their “choice” was as numerous as the people. Every person had a different story or set of circumstances that led them to the interview.
What I learned then is that there is a big difference between a bad act and a bad person. Sure, there are “bad people” out there. I’m not trying to say there aren’t. What I’m saying is that most people, the vast majority, are good people who made a bad choice.
Certainly, consequences must always take place. My feelings about those people I investigated didn’t change the consequences that resulted from their actions, nor should it. Feelings must take a back seat to doing the right thing.
Back to present day. From my position, I notice how many people on both sides of this incident are struggling. Many are battling grief, injuries and much, much more. Families are pressed to find answers and peace. I completely understand that and feel the weight of responsibility.
I can tell you that numerous people have reached out to let me know that they are praying for all the people in the incident. They are also praying for all of the families involved in the incident and praying for our department and city.
I would simply ask that you (the reader) take a moment to pray for all of these people as well as their families.
We will continue to wait for the results of this investigation, and we will have an update on this incident as soon as we have those results.
Ephesians 6:18