September 11th 2025.... it is hard to believe that it has been twenty-four years since our nation was attacked on that fateful morning. So much has changed since then, but at the same time, so much is the same. Evil still abounds. Evil still seeks to prey on the innocent. Evil still seeks to destroy lives. And evil still seeks to impact as many nations, states, businesses, schools, churches, and families as it can.

Edmund Burke so succinctly stated, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for a good man to do nothing."  And that is one of the many reasons, we, as the law enforcement community, remember. We remember all of our heroes in public safety that ran towards evil that day- many giving their own lives in defense of others, many still dealing with the terminal effects from the harmful materials and adding to the death toll daily. We remember their bravery and courage, their selflessness and sacrifice. And we use their stories as motivation and inspiration to continue the fight against evil.

We also remember the loss of innocent lives who were just going about their days at the World Trade Centers, the Pentagon, and flying across the country over top of Shanksville, PA. 2,977 lives were lost that day and countless others have been lost and destroyed since then. We mourn with their loved ones, but we also use that grief to train and serve to the best of our ability, so it never happens again.

We also need to remember how Americans, from all different communities, income levels, political parties, and religions, came together and united as one on September 12th. Evil's darkness still spreads, even as recent as the weeks and days leading up to this day of remembrance. But light shines brightest in the dark! So, remember with hope. Remember with purpose. And remember with a desire to emulate those heroes that we lost that day- putting others first and loving others right up to their last breath!