Guest columnists Tom Wetzel and Denise DeBiase are certified law enforcement executives with over 60 years of combined police experience.
Our police profession is filled with so many wonderful men and women who are deeply committed to helping make their communities safer places to live and thrive. They are so committed that they will actually risk their lives and limbs on a daily basis in this effort.
But every now and then, a bright light will emerge and shine, bringing the art of policing to another level.
One such beautiful soul was a former police chief named James T. McBride, who left our world on Oct. 28 of this year.
Jim McBridePhoto Courtesy of Jim McBride
Chief McBride, a Certified Law Enforcement Executive, was an iconic figure who had an incredible, long and positive influence on our time-honored profession.
He had served as a police officer for nearly 50 years and was also a long-time adjunct professor at Lakeland Community College. He had also served as the college’s director of public safety, police chief and academy commander.
Chief McBride had a mind with a deep range; he wrote many published books, poems and articles. He was also an excellent bagpiper, having played with the Cleveland Police Pipes and Drums.
It is hard to put a figure on the number of people who are better off for having known him, but these two authors can absolutely be counted in that massive group.
Although many are sad and will miss him, ironically there is a sense of peace on learning of his passing. This is because he is now reunited with his beautiful daughter Shannon, who died suddenly many years ago.
This was a reunion he so longed for while he was here, and we know he is incredibly happy and only cries tears of joy now.
This love for Shannon inspired him to start a ministry of handing out Guardian Angel pins to police officers he met. The pins could be placed on their bulletproof vests to give them an added level of security, particularly in a spiritual sense.
Both of us were privileged to receive and wear them. We were confident that we had Guardian Angel protection — which is really good to have, especially when you are by yourself in a dangerous situation.
Many other officers felt the same way. We knew that when we were handed a pin, we were also being covered in prayer.
Chief McBride wasn’t the only one to hand out these pins. Tom Rafferty, a longtime friend of Chief McBride’s, also handed them out. Tom worked with Chief McBride for many years at Lakeland and always shared stories of their time together.
He fondly recalled that Chief McBride demanded loyalty and expected his officers to always assist other officers in need. This is something that was instilled in the men and women he helped mold throughout the years.
Chief McBride was likely the best role model any law enforcement officer could have, as he was truly a leader that so many could follow and imitate.
Both of us are confident we will meet this dear soul again, and we know that he will try to do whatever he can in Heaven for the men and women in blue here on Earth.
Thanks, Chief McBride, for all you did. You truly made a difference, and our world is better because of you.
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