STATter 911

What the HELL has it come to when a dead brother/sister can't be honored appropriately because we inconvenienced a civilian! I can't remember a time when a procession wasn't announced in the media so these folks wouldn't have to disturb their worlds while we buried one of own! I got an idea...perhaps next time you have a delay while the coffin goes by..get out of your car with your children...explain to them why you aren't going to make the dentist today...and then say a prayer for fallen Firefighter...the family..and those left behind in the Department. There's a POS church out there these folks are probably familiar with....
 

I'm sure most of us have been caught in traffic from a funeral from time to time. Yes, LODD funerals are elaborate and extensive, but there is a reason for this. These men and women gave thier LIVES for the safety of the citizen, including the one complaining.

I'm sure she wouldn't mind the traffic if a Firefighter died trying to put out a fire in her house, or a Paramedic was hit by a drunk driver while helping her in a wreck, or if a police officer was killed by a person invading her home.

Get over yourself lady, stop being so sellfish, because thankfully there aren't LODD every day, so I hardly think the occassional percessional that inconviences her is a big deal.

Happy Holidays, and remember if you're traveling this holiday season, maybe you should fly to avoid the traffic jams....
 

Lady,are you for real ???

Thank God that there are not that many LODD's to inconvenience you, but do you honestly realize that the person who made the sacrifice did so trying to save the life or property of a selfish individual such as yourself.

I have been a part of several processions and have been honored to see citizens pulled over along the interstate with their heads lowered and their hands over their heart paying respect to the fallen brother or sister.

Then there are people such as yourself who are so involved in your own selfish lives and don't have the time of day for the emergency responders until you need them. I just hope and pray a brother or sister doesn't get hurt while serving you.
 

B$#@*
 

I know this woman. She shuts doors as old people walk toward them, double parks in spots reserved for the disabled (darn those pesky vets at Walter Reed), pushes women and children out of the way when boarding aircraft and escaping a sinking boat, and takes the food out of the mouths of starving children.

I suggest that the State Police sell one of their medevac units and reimburse her the cost of her missed appointment. It seems only fair.

Does this woman live in the same USA that I do? Instead of the No Call List, maybe her address should be put on the No Response List. She could opt out of having PD and FD respond to her home, and those pesky vehicles wouldn't clog her idyllic street.
 

Too bad she will never see this, unless of course dave sends it to the newspaper :)
 

Wow, it hard to believe there are people out there who would begrudge one last honor to someone who gave up their life while in the line of duty. I guess that is what this is all coming to, me..me..me..me..me..me.....
 

As advertised as our funerals are....LEAVE A FEW MINUTES EARLIER.
 

I used to work at a dealer right off 83. That's where we test drove vehicles. There were way to many funerals for cops and firefighter going up there while I worked at this place. I tried to make it a point to make it to the side of 83 and stand and pay my RESPECT to them every time one was going to pass by.
 

It sounds like Judy is upset over the money lost for the appointment. The funeral was no surprise, she needs to wake up and listen or read a newpaper. Leave earlier and YOU wouldn't have this inconvenience.
 

What was not mentioned in the article (the press can be more interested in shock effect than the full story) was the services began rather late - 11AM in northwest Carroll County. By the time it made its way to the Beltway and I83, it was well into the 3PM Friday afternoon rush hour.
And Baltimore County Fire vehicles were hopelessly delayed in responing to fires, accidents and medical calls because of the backups. Engine 14 was stuck in a two mile backup on a narrow two lane road - unable to go anyplace because there are no shoulders on the road. And Medic 56 took an hour for a normal 20 minute run to the hospital. Respect for LODD is important but we also have to recognize we are dedicated to serving the public in the best way we can. We can't let greif or shot from the hip reactions overtake intelligent planning for funeral services.
 

Lady, you cannot possibly be for real.

This is the last time we get to pay our respects to our fallen, we are going to do it right, as there is never a second chance.

If you are inconvenienced, tough. It is about time you thought about the families of our fallen, and what this tribute to their loved ones means to them.

Eat the $40, or tell your dentist that you could not get there because of the funeral. At least then, if the dentist refuses to refund your money, you actually found a more inconsiderate person than you.
 

Just another example of the mis-understanding of the "family" that exists in public safety. I would certainly hope that Ms. Sussman takes a moment to realize that her "suffering" pales in comparison to those inconveniencing her. She can say all she wants about her support/respect for public safety folks...her complaints scream otherwise.
 

Simple comment: Don't like it MOVE! Have a nice day!
 

First off, the lady who is complaining doesnt deserve a response.

The problem I see is complaining that a fire company or medic unit cant get somewhere? If the officer in charge couldnt figure out that the funeral would mess up traffic and determine an alternate response or transport route then someone needs to sit that person down.
Fact is, SOMEONE GAVE THEIR LIFE, give em some damn respect. These folks dont deserve respect, theyve damn well EARNED it!!!

TJ
 

So I take it she won't be having a funeral...
 

I hope this lady never comes through Pikesville when Sol Levenson has a funeral procession ! These men and women paid the ultimate sacrifice, and we as the extended family are showing the utmost in respect for the deceased. I hope that she never loses anyone close to her that is in the military or in public service, because until you do, you can never really fathom the amount of people that the deceased has touched in their life.
 

Today's society at its best!

Selfish individual complaining about losing $40 and a few moments of her "precious" existence. Because SOMEONE GAVE THEIR LIFE to protect them.

Selfish corporate individual who is part of the "health-care INDUSTRY" who wouldn't forgo $40 measly bucks because someone GAVE THEIR LIFE to protect them.

Selfish corporate individuals in the " 'news' media" who publish this trash to boost their companies ratings and their own "notoriety" by BOTTOM FEEDING instead of actually REPORTING on something WORTHWHILE to society.

So the selfish individuals and corporations all get THEIR gratification and 15 minutes of "fame" while the people who UNSELFISHLY protect and serve daily get ridiculed, criticised, demeaned and embarrased in order to serve someone else's personal agendas.

I hope the selfish woman who complained sleeps well at night (probably so, since she appears to have NO conscience).

I hope the selfish parties in the "health-care industry" get their bill reimbersed (God forbid that they don't get EVERY DOLLAR that they outrageously bill people! $40 for NOT doing work?! I need a piece of THAT action!)

I hope the selfish " 'news' media" get the circulation numbers and ratings points from this that they so DEPSERATELY need to survive. And I hope the selfish "journalists" get the "notoriety" and "fame" that they so lustfully crave at the expense of the DEAD who can't defend themselves against GARBAGE such as this!

Waste of time, oxygen, newsprint, TV air-time and webspace. All for SELFISHNESS!

Maybe WE in the emergency services should start being a little selfish???
 

Lady , I hope NO ONE attends your funeral for the pure fact that YOU don't inconvenience the pubic. Think before you open your mouth and say something stupid like that. R.I.P. Brother.
 

I'm sorry but I have to take what is probably the minority view on this blog.

I don't have a problem holding up traffic for five or ten minutes for a funeral procession to pass, but if it really took an hour to cross a street I think I would have a problem with that.

I know if I was the subject of a funeral procession, I wouldn't want to unnecessarily inconvenience a citizen for an hour, even if I did die in a line of duty death.

Yes, the public is out of luck to go the way the procession is going, but I don't think it would be inappropriate to allow people to cross or go the other direction, even if it means stopping later portions of a long procession.

In regards to Anonymous a couple of comments above, I think he needs to reconsider who is being selfish if we are asking some of the public to give up an hour of their life to honor us.

Also, there certainly can be more important problems than a missed dental appointment that an hour delay could cause. Imagine missing a flight, and the expense and time that could cause, or as an above commenter pointed out the delay to our own emergency vehicles. All those vehicles on side streets could seriously hinder responses down those roads.

And while we might think our lives are more important than the average citizens, I think it is pompous to assume that, and in fact we are all only mortal and will all end up as little more than dust.
 

Yep, flip a burger - save a life, answer phones - put out fires.....it's all the same, who cares right? Its just a job, right? That is what is wrong with todays fire service, the attitude of its just another job...I'm sorry to say, its not just another job. It takes someone special to be a cop, firefighter, medic or emt (paid or vol). When one of us is hurt or worse, killed, it is a huge deal and should be treated as such.
 

I'm sure that cemetary was there long before you even moved there! If you don't like it move! I guess when you have to pull to the side of the road to let an emergency vehicle by going to an emergency you think that's an inconvienence too! Get over yourself lady!!
 

I'm with this woman. I don't understand why the men and women who are paid to protect the public should be honored more lavishly than people who volunteered their lives to helping the poor or sick. It's a tragedy that a policeman has to die in the line of duty - but let's be realistic. It's the nature of their work. I see these processions in Philly all the time, and the pomp and circumstance is akin to that of the death of Ghandi. How is that logical? And when the officer is killed not by the violence of criminal, but in a car accident not related to criminal behavior, the procession is similar its scope.

I've often wondered who pays for these funerals. Is it the municipality? If so, think of the potential deaths that can be avoided if that money is re-invested in the community.

My partner is a cop. Would I be insulted if his death was not accompanied by a funeral procession of excessive proportions? Absolutely not. I would want his memory to be honored intimately, privately, by those who loved him.