There are times when a police officer isn’t called onto
enforce the law, but simply to express compassion. That was the case when West
Valley City, Utah, police officer Kevin Peck came around the corner just after
a city bus had struck a 24-year-old woman in a crosswalk, pinning her
underneath, and severely crushing both of her legs. The driver didn’t see her
in time to stop.
When Kevin arrived on the scene, all
he could see was one of the woman’s white shoes sticking out from under the
bus. He quickly discovered the woman was alive and had suffered severe
injuries. He crawled up under the bus on the icy ground to take her pulse.
After he took her hand, he didn’t let go until fire crews were able to lift the
bus up and pull her out.
“She was very scared. She asked me
not to leave. So I said I would just stay under there with her until we got her
out. And she started telling me about
her family and where she was headed,” Kevin said. “I told her that I would stay
there.”
“She was afraid she was going to
die, and I’m just praying and hoping that the bus doesn’t move. We’re right
next to the tire underneath the bus, and I’m just trying to reassure her, and
keep her calm,” he said.
Once a rescue crew arrived, the bus
was lifted off and a backboard was placed under the woman. She was transported
to the hospital and stabilized. Kevin visited the woman in the hospital a few
days after the accident.
Compassion and sympathy for
suffering seems to be dying qualities today. Be sure you keep them alive and
will in your own heart and stay ready to show anyone who may need them.
As Unit Commissioner’s we need to be
like Officer Kevin Peck and be a friend and show compassion to the units we
serve.
The commissioner is the liaison between the local council and
Scouting units. The commissioner’s mission is to keep units operating at
maximum efficiency, maintain regular contact with unit leaders, coach leaders
on where to find assistance, note weaknesses in programs, and suggest remedies.
The commissioner is successful when units effectively deliver the ideals of
Scouting to their members.
President Ezra Taft Benson once said; “Give me a young man
who has kept himself morally clean and has faithfully attended his Church
meetings. Give me a young man who has magnified his priesthood and earned the
Duty to God Award and is an Eagle Scout. Give me a young man who is a seminary
graduate and has a burning testimony. Give me such a young man, and I will give
you a young man who can perform miracles for the Lord in the mission field and
throughout his life”. This is why it is so important that we as Unit
Commissioner be a friend to those we serve. Those leaders are shaping the
future of this Nation.
