The DeKalb County police officer spoke about responsibility, sacrifice and working towards hazard simply 5 months in the past at his police academy’s commencement.
ATLANTA — Simply 5 months in the past, DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose stood on stage because the chief of his academy class, talking about responsibility, sacrifice and the braveness to run towards hazard.
On Friday, the 33-year-old officer died doing precisely what he promised — responding to an energetic shooter exterior the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention in Atlanta.
“Once we step out onto these streets, we’re prepared. When somebody requires assist, we don’t hesitate. And when issues get powerful — and it’ll — we don’t break,” Rose stated at his academy commencement in March.
Rose was chosen as class chief of DeKalb County Police Academy Class 138. Standing earlier than his friends on March 31, he spoke phrases that now echo with heartbreaking resonance.
“Policing isn’t nearly implementing the regulation,” Rose stated. “It’s about defending the weak, standing for justice and being the one who runs towards hazard when others run away.”
That day, his spouse pinned Badge No. 3819 to his chest — a second marking the beginning of his regulation enforcement profession.
“We depart right here realizing that it doesn’t matter what challenges come our method, we’ll face them collectively,” he advised his classmates. “That is greater than a profession — it’s a calling. And as we speak, we reply that decision.”
On Friday, Rose answered his remaining name. It got here simply months after he shook palms with the very officers who would later announce his dying within the line of responsibility.
“From today ahead, we feature the load of this badge with delight, with humility and with unwavering dedication to serve and defend,” Rose stated in March.
Rose leaves behind his pregnant spouse, two daughters and an unborn son. His dying marks the primary time in practically 5 years {that a} DeKalb County police officer has been killed within the line of responsibility.
Good morning everybody — honored friends, household, associates, instructors, and most significantly, my fellow graduates of Academy Class 138.
At the moment is a day we’ll always remember.
At the moment we stand right here as a proud few who made it by way of some of the difficult, demanding, and life-changing experiences of our lives.
Once we first walked by way of these academy doorways, we had been 12 people from completely different backgrounds, completely different tales, and completely different walks of life.
A few of us got here from navy service, some from school, some from completely different careers completely.
A few of us have dreamed of this second since childhood, whereas others discovered this path later in life.
However we had one factor in frequent — we needed to serve.
We needed to be a part of one thing larger than ourselves. We needed to put on the badge not for the sake of a title, however for the accountability that comes with it.
And accountability is precisely what this job calls for.
From the very first day, we discovered that policing is not nearly implementing the regulation.
It is about defending the weak, standing for justice, and being the one who runs in direction of hazard when others run away.
We discovered that the badge we’ll put on is not only a piece of metallic — it is a image of belief, of responsibility, of sacrifice.
It represents not simply us, however each officer who got here earlier than us and each officer that can come after us.
The function right here was something however simple.
We confronted early mornings, lengthy nights. We endured bodily exhaustion, countless drills, and checks that pushed our minds to the restrict.
We discovered to perform below strain, to function as a unit, and to belief one another when it mattered probably the most.
We had been damaged down and constructed again up — stronger, sharper, and extra ready than we ever thought potential.
There have been moments once we doubted ourselves, moments we puzzled if we had what it took.
However in these moments, we discovered one thing extra highly effective than worry — we discovered one another.
We discovered energy within the particular person subsequent to us, within the instructors who pushed us past our limits, and within the family members who remained with us whereas we began the journey within the first place.
However we additionally confronted loss.
Alongside the way in which, 5 of our brothers and sisters couldn’t proceed the journey with us.
It wasn’t as a result of they weren’t succesful. It wasn’t as a result of they didn’t need it sufficient. The trail isn’t for everybody — and that’s what makes as we speak so significant.
Those that began with us, who skilled with us, who bled and sweat with us — they’re nonetheless a part of our story.
They’re a part of Class 138, and as we speak we feature them with us.
By all of it, one particular person stood out as a guiding power — a mentor, and typically a voice in our heads that we didn’t wish to hear however wanted to: Teacher Jones.
Sir, you pushed us past our limits. You demanded the most effective from us once we thought we had nothing left to offer.
You didn’t simply educate us the way to be officers — you confirmed us what it means to put on this uniform with honor, integrity, and accountability.
You reminded us that this job isn’t about energy — it’s about service.
It’s about standing between chaos and order.
It’s about defending those that can’t defend themselves.
There have been moments once we thought you had been too exhausting on us. Once we had been exhausted. While you made us repeat drills again and again, once we thought we had already given all the pieces we had.
However now, as we stand right here as we speak, we perceive — you weren’t simply coaching us to move a check. You had been making ready us for the fact of this job.
You had been ensuring that once we step out onto these streets, we’re prepared. That when somebody requires assist, we don’t hesitate. That when issues get powerful — and they’re going to — we don’t break.
For that, we owe you extra than simply thanks. We owe you our dedication to uphold the values you instilled in us.
At the moment, we aren’t simply six officers. We’re six brothers and sisters solid in battle, united in goal.
We depart right here realizing that it doesn’t matter what challenges come our method, we’ll face them collectively — simply as we’ve got since day one.
That is greater than a profession — it’s a calling. And as we speak, we reply that decision.
To our households and family members — thanks.
Thanks for the endurance, the encouragement, and the sacrifices that you just made so we are able to pursue this calling.
The late nights, the missed household occasions, the stress you carried as we pushed by way of this academy — we all know it wasn’t simple on you both.
However you stood by us. You lifted us up once we wanted it, and also you reminded us why we began this journey.
We couldn’t be standing right here with none of you.
To my fellow graduates, Academy Class 138 — we made it. We’re prepared. However our journey is simply starting.
From today ahead, we feature the load of this badge with delight, with humility, and with unwavering dedication to serve and defend.
In order we step into this new chapter, let’s bear in mind why we’re right here.
Let’s bear in mind what it took to get us right here. Let’s not overlook that we’re stronger collectively.
Congratulations, Class 138.
Keep protected, keep sturdy, and at all times watch one another’s six.
