Bobby Sisk WCNC Anchor

It's been a long, but fulfilling day here in D.C. At noon, my photographer and I attended and covered the 27th Annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service. It was situated on the west front of the Capitol, and drew a crowd in the tens of thousands.

The service started with the National Anthem, as I said in my story at six, in the most American of places with the Capitol building in the background. The invocation came next and then a song from recording artist, Jo Dee Messina. The chorus went something like this, "heaven was needing a hero like you."

That song and the service that followed honored not only the officers who've died in the line of duty, but also their families who've given so much. The President of the grand lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police put it this way. He summed up the day as one of remembering, mourning and celebrating the lives of those who are no longer with us.

It is a powerful sight to see the widows of fallen CMPD Officers Sean Clark and Jeff Shelton place a single red carnation on a wreath in memory of their husbands. It is also powerful to talk to one of Jennifer Shelton's close friends who described to me how difficult this past year has been. It makes the hustle and bustle of my day, running from one location to another to make it on the air, seem trivial. It also makes me thankful to get to attend an event like this...and even more so, to bring it to you.

Thanks for taking time to read this. Email me if you'd like at bsisk@wcnc.com.

Traveling to D.C. for police memorial

It's almost 8 p.m. Wednesday night and my flight to Washington, D.C. is an hour late, but that gives me time to write this. I'm traveling there for something I see as an honor, a chance to attend the National Peace Officers Memorial Service on the West Lawn of the Capitol.

This is the 27th year for the service, and this year the names of two Charlotte-Mecklenburg officers who died in the line of duty will be read aloud. Officers Sean Clark and Jeff Shelton were on duty March 31st when they were gunned down at an apartment complex in Northeast Charlotte.

Since that time, I've gotten to know some friends of the Shelton family and gained some insight into how heartbreaking the past year has been. Just this past Saturday, I was invited to attend a kickoff to Police Week in the town of Locust, in western Stanly County. That is where Jeff and his wife Jennifer, along with beloved dog Cody lived.

What I saw there is hard to put into words. After the welcome and invocation, Jennifer Shelton addressed the 40 or so people who gathered at the park, which bears her husband's name. She said it was something she wanted to do, to talk about the effect her husband had on so many lives, and to plead with those in earshot to never take for granted a police officer's sacrifice.

These were powerful words coming from a woman who lost her husband and best friend just 13 months ago. Afterward, I got to meet Jennifer. She's a very kind and strong woman who is surrounded by supportive family and friends.

That was how this year's National Police Week started for me, in Locust, and Thursday's service in Washington, D.C. is a fitting end. The Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police puts on the event and I'm told it can draw as many as 40,000 people. I'll be among that crowd on Thursday and do my best to capture the emotion and spirit of the day's service. Watch for my live reports from the Capitol, Thursday night at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Until then, thanks for taking the time to read this and feel free to say Hi. Drop me a line at bsisk@wcnc.com.

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