“Can you tell my dad to come home.”

He stands up tall, looking down on the little boy no more than 6 years old.

Innocent face, enormous brown eyes.

Holding back his tears he peered up to the little boys mother.

Baffled by this question, he places his hand over his badge.

Then looks up to the sky and back into the little boys eyes

With a shattered heart and trembling hands,

He raises the boy into his arms

Embraces him up against the bullet proof vest,

And says, “sure thing son”

With a tremble in his voice

He points to the child's heart saying, “But remember he’s in here too”