Dear Editor:

I’m a 911 Dispatcher that previously was employed by the Bryan County Sheriffs Department.

I was working the fatal night of Dec. 10, 2006 when we lost Sgt. Mike Larson while on duty. There hasn’t been a day that goes by since then that Mike hasn’t been in my thoughts. For those of you that have never had the pleasure of meeting him let me tell you he was one of the finest people I have ever met. He was so dedicated to his job and an upstanding man.

I would like to thank and recognize the other dispatchers and officers who were working that night. What happened is something that law enforcement tries to prepare for but is never ready for.

The grieving process was like losing a member of our family. We had to endure that unbearable loss while continuing to take calls.

For some of us, we had to continue on with our regular work schedule that week.

I respect and admire law enforcement officers and dispatchers for the emotional and mental stresses that they endure on a daily basis.

Please keep your local public safety workers in your thoughts and prayers as we approach the anniversary of the passing of our coworker and friend, Sgt. Mike Larson.