Hero of The Day

This past week, the state of Connecticut experienced a horrendous tragedy.  

Lieutenant Dustin DeMonte and Sergeant Alex Hamzy, both of the Bristol Police Department, lost their lives responding to a domestic violence call.  These two brave officers were apparently ambushed, in what has been described as "a deliberate act" (1, 2).  

As Connecticut mourns, I find myself examining some of the lyrics to Metallica's "Hero of the Day" (see note) (3).   

To wit:

"The window burns to light the way back home

A light that warms, no matter where they've gone.  

They're off to find the hero of the day

But what if they should fall by someone's wicked way?

Still the window burns

Time so slowly turns

And someone there is sighing.

Keepers of the flames

Do you feel your name?

Did you hear your babies crying?" (4)

"Excuse me while I tend to how I feel"; I just can't get this song out of my head.  To me, it serves as an appropriate tribute to two of Connecticut's finest, who gave their lives to protect others.  

Officers, you will live on in the memories of others.  May your sacrifices never be forgotten.  

RIP, valiant heroes.   

Note: If you haven't listened to the version of this song that features the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, you should; it rocks, in a classical sort of way.  Check it out here (5).  

Sources:

1. Aasen, Eric. “What We Know About the Deadly Bristol Police Shooting.” Connecticut Public, 21 Oct. 2022, www.ctpublic.org/news/2022-10-16/what-we-know-about-the-deadly-bristol-police-shooting. Accessed 24 Oct. 2022.

2. Verrilli, Matthew. “Saying Goodbye: EH Service Honors Bristol Police Officers Killed in Ambush.” Journal Inquirer, 21 Oct. 2022, www.journalinquirer.com/connecticut_and_region/saying-goodbye-eh-service-honors-bristol-police-officers-killed-in-ambush/article_274a569e-51a4-11ed-b540-87f11f2d0511.html. Accessed 24 Oct. 2022.

3. Metallica. "Hero of the Day." Elektra Records/Atlantic Records Group/Elektra Records Group/300 Elektra Entertainment/Warner Music Group, 1996. Producers: J. Hetfield, B. Rock, L. Ulrich. Composers: K. Hammett, Hetfield, Ulrich. 

4. “Hero of the Day Lyrics.” Google, www.google.com/search?q=hero+of+the+day+lyrics. Accessed 24 Oct. 2022.

5. Metallica & the San Francisco Symphony. "Hero of the Day." Elektra Records/Atlantic Records Group/Elektra Records Group/300 Elektra Entertainment/Warner Music Group, 1999. Conductor: Michael Kamen. Producers: J. Hetfield, M. Kamen, B. Rock, L. Ulrich.