IN MY OPINION: POLICE OFFICER GAVE GENEROUSLY

I saw her smile. Right there on television. A young, black policewoman, her
wire rim glasses surrounding eyes full of intelligence and honor.

There were no lurking shadows there, no sidewise glance, no cynical stare
in Sherry Lyons-Williams' eyes. They were straightforward and honest.

Yet those eyes had seen the drug trade, its degradation and its dangers.
Had seen it from the dirty view the police must face. But there she was, a
protector of all of us, whether we deserved it or not. Standing there
between us and the nasty, dangerous world of drug trade with its predators
rising in poisonous streams.

Yes, she stood there, between us and them, and they killed her.

Oh, why, I keep thinking, why does this happen? Why must we lose our young
and honorable people this way? I didn't know her, yet the sadness of her
parting overwhelms me. She was part of my greater human family, a strong
and generous part of our human race. She had to be strong, for each day she
did a job that took strength, bravery and perseverance. She was generous
because she knew that in protecting our lives, she might give her own. We
know about her generosity because she, too, gave us the greatest gift she
had --- her life.

So I remember the smile I saw on television. Surely God takes her in his
loving arms even as we stand in the shadows of sadness.

Catherine Boone Shealy
Atlanta