It was a Friday, just like any other Friday. The linemen had come to the east edge of Jackson, Missouri, to work at an electric substation. While several were up in the buckets, a light pickup truck pulled in. The driver emerged with a shotgun, walked to the workers, and commenced firing. He then drove off.
One of the injured AmerenUE victims made it to the highway and a Good Samaritan drove him to the hospital. The other waited for the ambulance. As police, fire and ambulance workers scurried about, the chaplain secured the driveway and directed traffic.
Meantime, a witness provided the vehicle description and license number. City employees heard it, saw the vehicle, and notified dispatch. Officers eventually surrounded the man, who took his own life before they could place him in custody.
As a child, I felt as safe as safe could be on our northern Illinois farm. Children today don't have that luxury. Safety is an issue for them and for us all, no matter where we live. Crime is not confined to the big city.
Actually, it never was. In my youth, three women were killed by Chester Otto Weger at Starved Rock State Park, a short drive from home. There just seem to be more and more deadly incidents these days.
The tragic traffic stop gone bad in Oakland is an example that hits home for law enforcement. The shooting death of a minister during Sunday service in Illinois makes church folks sadly shake their heads. It and the Jackson incident remind us that trouble can come to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
So we pray. We pray not as a last resort or because there's nothing else we can do, but we pray because that's our FIRST resort. We ask God to protect us, to protect those who protect and serve. We also ask God to help us to be alert and watchful, both in matters of faith AND in our daily tasks and movements, so that we may prevent or at least minimize the dangers that can face us all in a heartbeat. We ask God to help those who are troubled.
The utility workers should recover fully, physically. We pray that they and their families may recover from the emotional drain that this has caused. And we pray for all the victims and their families, named here and unnamed all around us, that God will bring them comfort and peace.
Be careful out there.
Fr. John Harth
John Harth has been a Catholic priest and emergency services chaplain since 1987 and is a Master Level Chaplain and Life Member of the International Conference of Police Chaplains, serving the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Cape Girardeau and Scott County Sheriff's Departments, Jackson and Kelso Police Departments, Jackson Fire/Rescue and the Cape Girardeau County Emergency Management Agency. He is pastor of the Immaculate Conception, Jackson; St. John, Leopold; and St. Anthony, Glennon parishes. Fr. John is also a member of the Federation of Fire Chaplains and a charter member of the Missouri Fire Chaplain Corps.
