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Please keep my friends family in your prayers

Matt L

Site Benefactor
I've waited a while to post this, sometimes I think it's a bad dream. My best friend James(retired police officer) , who is a Brother Mason, has lost his son. His son was at the concert in Las Vegas with his wife. His son "Sonny" used his body as a shield to protect his wife. Sonny was shot in the back and murdered by a coward with a gun.
I've been a Police Officer going on 31 years. I've held dying children in my arms, and responded to all sorts of horrific things over the years. I learned to and had to compartmentalize these things and put them away, sometimes they rear their ugly head.
I woke up Monday morning and turned the news on and got my morning coffee. I received a text msg to call dispatch, when I called, I was told the horrible news. I immediately called James, a little before 6 am. He answered the phone, and I said "how are you Brother", he simply said "it's true" and we both started balling. He was already at the airport to fly to Vegas.
We have kept in touch this week, I'm doing what I can to make some things easier, (if that's even possible). Tomorrow, I will see James for the first time since the shooting and will be escorting Sonny's body from Nashville back home, along with some other officers.
This one's hit me pretty had, and some of the things I've stored over the years have been coming to the surface.
After I take care of my friend and his family, I'm going to finally have to deal with some things myself.
Thanks for letting me ramble.
S & F,
Matt
 

SCStrong

Registered User
Brother - words cannot describe the level of sympathy I feel right now....... My prayers are with James, the wife, and his family - as well as with you. May Sonny be forever remembered, as a hero . I pray that God grant you all peace, comfort, and understanding. The bastard that did this was a coward and a madman. My Christian side hopes he is forgiven........ my human side hopes he burns in Hell. ( May God forgive me)
Hang in there, Brother - be there for your friends and please, let them know, they are in our prayers and thoughts.
 

CLewey44

Registered User
I've waited a while to post this, sometimes I think it's a bad dream. My best friend James(retired police officer) , who is a Brother Mason, has lost his son. His son was at the concert in Las Vegas with his wife. His son "Sonny" used his body as a shield to protect his wife. Sonny was shot in the back and murdered by a coward with a gun.
I've been a Police Officer going on 31 years. I've held dying children in my arms, and responded to all sorts of horrific things over the years. I learned to and had to compartmentalize these things and put them away, sometimes they rear their ugly head.
I woke up Monday morning and turned the news on and got my morning coffee. I received a text msg to call dispatch, when I called, I was told the horrible news. I immediately called James, a little before 6 am. He answered the phone, and I said "how are you Brother", he simply said "it's true" and we both started balling. He was already at the airport to fly to Vegas.
We have kept in touch this week, I'm doing what I can to make some things easier, (if that's even possible). Tomorrow, I will see James for the first time since the shooting and will be escorting Sonny's body from Nashville back home, along with some other officers.
This one's hit me pretty had, and some of the things I've stored over the years have been coming to the surface.
After I take care of my friend and his family, I'm going to finally have to deal with some things myself.
Thanks for letting me ramble.
S & F,
Matt

It's bad enough when these things happen but when it happens to someone you know, you really see the effects and impact it has on folks. It's hard to not have a hardened heart towards individuals that do these sort of cowardly, thoughtless things. Really tough not to wish them to be in agonizing pain in hell. That's my struggle when these things happen; anger. I hope Sonny is at peace and that his good father is coping well. Bro. Matt, I hope you are doing ok too. I know this really hit close to home for you.
 

GJB

Registered User
Im tremendously sorry to hear that you, your friend, and his family are having to deal with such a horrible situation. Its a tragedy that no man or woman should ever have to deal with. You have my condolences, my sympathies, and my thoughts, Brother.

Sent from my SM-G955U using My Freemasonry mobile app
 

rpbrown

Premium Member
I too send my prayers for the family. I know about the loss of this tragic event. My wife lost her favorite cousin at the shooting. We just returned from the funeral and it was hard on all.
 

CLewey44

Registered User
I too send my prayers for the family. I know about the loss of this tragic event. My wife lost her favorite cousin at the shooting. We just returned from the funeral and it was hard on all.

My goodness. My thoughts to your family...unbelievable.....the frustrating part after the fact is that the coward blew his own brains out in order to not face another living human being face to face again. I'm a mental health believer and obviously he struggled with something but it doesn't give him a pass or make it easier to forgive these people. So sorry for your family's loss.
 

SCStrong

Registered User
I too send my prayers for the family. I know about the loss of this tragic event. My wife lost her favorite cousin at the shooting. We just returned from the funeral and it was hard on all.
Sympathy and prayers to you.
 

Matt L

Site Benefactor
I too send my prayers for the family. I know about the loss of this tragic event. My wife lost her favorite cousin at the shooting. We just returned from the funeral and it was hard on all.

My deepest sympathy and sorrow for your family. I am praying for you and yours.

Matt
 

Bloke

Premium Member
Sorry to come to this late, and I almost didn't respond, it's so horrible that it would be lovely if it just went away, but will not, especially for Brothers like James and his family.

Thoughts and Prayers for all concerned, and all those who suffer.
 
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