In 1967, as a 7-year-old girl, I answered a phone call late on a Monday evening. It was the operator asking to speak to my mother. I told her my mother was asleep, but she insisted, saying she needed to talk to my mother about my dad. My mother had to share with her five children that Dad had been in an accident. The following Thursday, he transitioned to his heavenly home.
In 2016, as I attended the IMPD Community Day, I was blessed to spend some time with Deputy Chief James Waters. He was in his element hanging out in the community, especially with the kids. I watched him downplay the Deputy Chief title and talk to the kids while they waited in different lines to receive the much-desired giveaways.
About a month ago, while in the Radio Next studio for a live recording, I had the pleasure to meet members of the Southport police force, including Lt. Aaron Allan. It was a great day as we all learned how much work we could do together in the community. Lt. Allan played a major security role at this year’s Circle Up for Peace Festival held at School 51 in June.
Now we have come to a time when we need to lay them both to rest in our heavenly father’s arms. I am saddened, as I was at 7 years old, each time an officer falls. My heart aches for the families, as I have experienced the same pain and will never forget.
My dad walked a beat in the 1960s on the historic Indiana Avenue. He also pastored a church and found that the two did go together. He made friends with even the least of these and worked that community to make it better for those who lived, worked and played there.
Chief Waters was sitting at the end of the bed of one of the Martindale-Brightwood community’s leaders when she woke up at a hospital in intensive care. He brought an attorney to her house when she was at home to help her through the legal side of the terrible accident she had been involved in. Chief Waters helped to put the escort detail together as her husband passed last month. She told me these stories herself through tears pouring down her face.
Lt. Allan showed up and showed out at the Peace Festival this year. He served as a part of the security detail and operated in such a compassionate way, even as a young lady attempted to steal two of the prizes set aside for the children that day. He and the president of Circle Up Indy took the time to talk with her and try to assess what her real needs were. The president told me this story recently, in tears.
Saturday morning, I wiped tears from my eyes as I offered breakfast to IMPD East District Commander Roger Spuregon and his Executive Officer Columbus Ricks. I was so grateful to see them safe and visiting 37 Place, still supporting the work of the community, safe and ready to work.
I am inspired by the work of the men and women in blue, whether IMPD, Southport or any other agency. I am inspired that these public safety officers past and present keep showing up here, around the corner, to help get the work done.
I heard that there may even be an IMPD team signing up for the Edna Martin Christian Center Annual Golf Outing on Aug. 24. Teams from everywhere are invited. I’m taking the chance of calling out Ricks and the team he may be able to put together. I hope they’ll show up and play with the smile that James Waters would have had. If anyone is interested in supporting the community through this fun outing, contact Lenina Parham at (317) 637-3776.
Love your neighbor, commit to peace and we hope to see you around the corner.
Gina Fears is community engagement coordinator with One Voice Martindale-Brightwood, an organization created by neighborhood residents to engage the community in improving and celebrating life in Martindale-Brightwood.
