He Didn't Let Go

     There are times when a police officer isn’t called onto enforce the law, but simply to express compassion. That was the case when West Valley City, Utah, police officer Kevin Peck came around the corner just after a city bus had struck a 24-year-old woman in a crosswalk, pinning her underneath, and severely crushing both of her legs. The driver didn’t see her in time to stop.

            When Kevin arrived on the scene, all he could see was one of the woman’s white shoes sticking out from under the bus. He quickly discovered the woman was alive and had suffered severe injuries. He crawled up under the bus on the icy ground to take her pulse. After he took her hand, he didn’t let go until fire crews were able to lift the bus up and pull her out.

            “She was very scared. She asked me not to leave. So I said I would just stay under there with her until we got her out.  And she started telling me about her family and where she was headed,” Kevin said. “I told her that I would stay there.”

            “She was afraid she was going to die, and I’m just praying and hoping that the bus doesn’t move. We’re right next to the tire underneath the bus, and I’m just trying to reassure her, and keep her calm,” he said.

            Once a rescue crew arrived, the bus was lifted off and a backboard was placed under the woman. She was transported to the hospital and stabilized. Kevin visited the woman in the hospital a few days after the accident.

            Compassion and sympathy for suffering seems to be dying qualities today. Be sure you keep them alive and will in your own heart and stay ready to show anyone who may need them.

            As Unit Commissioner’s we need to be like Officer Kevin Peck and be a friend and show compassion to the units we serve.

The commissioner is the liaison between the local council and Scouting units. The commissioner’s mission is to keep units operating at maximum efficiency, maintain regular contact with unit leaders, coach leaders on where to find assistance, note weaknesses in programs, and suggest remedies. The commissioner is successful when units effectively deliver the ideals of Scouting to their members.

President Ezra Taft Benson once said; “Give me a young man who has kept himself morally clean and has faithfully attended his Church meetings. Give me a young man who has magnified his priesthood and earned the Duty to God Award and is an Eagle Scout. Give me a young man who is a seminary graduate and has a burning testimony. Give me such a young man, and I will give you a young man who can perform miracles for the Lord in the mission field and throughout his life”. This is why it is so important that we as Unit Commissioner be a friend to those we serve. Those leaders are shaping the future of this Nation.