Remember our heroes not just in May…. But everyday

Remember our heroes not just in May…. But everyday
By The Founder of BLUE LIVES MATTER-NY- Joseph Imperatrice

Today I watched a video online of President Trump inviting the family of Cpl. Ronil Singh onto the stage with him in Washington, D.C. for Police Week. I couldn't help myself as the tears rolled down my cheeks as Reggie, Ronil’s brother, and Anamika, Ronil’s wife while holding 10 month old Arrna, spoke. “ The Singh Family supports this man, anything he does for law enforcement…. We support him” said Reggie.

On December 26th, 2018, Cpl. Ronil Singh of the Newman, CA Police Department left for work. He had just spent Christmas with his wife, K-9 partner Sam, and then 5 month old son. He went to work just like any other night and at approximately 1 a.m. on December 26th, pulled over a vehicle he observed swerving, possibly under the influence. At some point during the car stop, Ronil was shot and ultimately died from his injuries. This incident hit me personally as I have a son who at the time was 8 months old. Unlike large police departments, Newman had only 13 officers assigned to their county. Funding and benefits are not as generous as other larger departments.

I immediately called my Co-Founders Chris and Carlos and said we have to set up a fundraiser here in N.Y.C. and we did. BLUE LIVES MATTER-NYC flew out Reggie and Newman P.D. Chief Randy Richardson and put them up in a hotel. We hosted a fundraiser on February 6th where even HollyWood Actor Chazz Palminteri made an appearance to hand deliver a check to Reggie. In April the founders along with NYPD widow Lisa Tuozzolo flew to C.A. and presented Mika with a check for $15,000.00. We also presented the family with a custom action figure of Ronil’s liking along with K-9 Sam so that his son always has his hero close to him.

Walking around Washington, D.C. during police week you see people with blue and yellow badges around their neck. This symbolizes an officer that was killed in the line of duty that they were related to. They walk around quietly not looking for attention. But I make it a point to always go up, introduce myself and say thank you. Each person always lights up, and an immense sense of pride overcomes them. See, National Law Enforcement Week is so special and much needed. But we shouldn’t just make it a point to honor our heroes one month out of the year. We should make it a point to honor and remember them daily. It seems like every day another officer, from another agency, is killed while doing the job they love. Being killed in the line of duty doesn't exclude a certain background or religion you practice. It doesn't matter if you are a man or woman, young or old. The bad guys are acting with a depraved indifference for human life and they aren’t excluding anyone. 

We owe it to these heroes, both recent and years past, and we also owe it to family members like Reggie, Mika, and Arna, that show so much resiliency and class in front of the world, being the voice for all those alike that lost their loved one unexpectedly. 

Stay Safe & God Bless