Thousands say their final goodbyes to LMPD officer Nick Rodman Share Shares Copy Link Copy

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WEBVTT >> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME ISBILL.I'M ONE OF THE PASTORS HERE ATSOUTHEAST, BUT IT'S ONLY PART OFTHE REASON I'M HERE.I'M ALSO A VOLUNTEER CHAPLAINFOR THE LOUISVILLE POLICEDEPARTMENT, AND 10 YEARS AGO, IRETIRED AFTER 30 YEARS OFSERVING AS A POLICE OFFICER.MY SON IS ON LMPD, I WORKED WITHGEORGE RODMAN, MIXED DAD.MY OTHER SON IS A LITTLEFIREFIGHTER JUST BEGINNING HISCAREER WITH THE LOCAL FIREDEPARTMENT, SO IF YOU WILLSPECIAL BONDED TO THE RODMAN'S,WHOSE FAMILY IS RICH IN ATRADITION OF SERVING THECOMMUNITY.WE ARE HERE TODAY TO DO THREETHINGS.THE FIRST, WE ARE TO PAY HONORTO NICK RODMAN.LOUISVILLE MAYOR GREG FISCHERWILL REPRESENT THE ENTIRE METROGOVERNMENT BY PLAYING TRIBUTE TOOFFICER RODMAN AND HIS FAMILYGIVING NICK THE HONOR HISDESERVES -- HE DESERVES.SECONDLY, WE ARE HERE TO COMFORTFRIENDS AND FAMILY.AND NEXT BROTHERS IN UNIFORM,LOCAL POLICE CHIEF STEVE CONRADAND METRO POLICE OFFICER NICKBEAL WILL SPEAK OF NICK'SPERSONAL LIFE, KNOWING MORE OFTHE MAN THAT HIS FAMILY ANDFRIENDS LOVE AND CHERISH.WE ARE HERE TO SEE GUIDANCE,HOPE, AND DIRECTION FOR THETRUTH OF GOD'S WORD.LET'S OPEN WITH A PRAYER.FATHER, BECOME FILLED WITHSORROW FOR THE LOSS OF AHUSBAND, DAD, SON, SON-IN-LAW,BROTHER, COUSIN, AND A POLICEOFFICER, WARRIOR, AND POLICELATER.FATHER, WHEN YOU ENABLE THETRUTHFUL WORDS SPOKEN TODAY TOBRING COMFORT TO HIS WIFE,ASHLEY, HIS FRIENDS, HIS FAMILY,HIS POLICE FAMILY, WE ASK THISIN THE NAME OF JESUS.AMEN.MAYOR FISHER.MAYOR FISHER: NICK RODMAN SWOREHIS OATH OF OFFICE AND JOINEDTHE LOUISVILLE METRO POLICEDEPARTMENT AT A CEREMONY ON JUNE6, 2014.I WAS HONORED TO BE THERE, AND IKNOW MANY OF YOU WERE THERE TOO.MAYBE YOU WERE AMONG THEFAMILIES, AND ENORMOUSLY PROUDOF YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER.OR MAYBE YOU WERE ONE OF THERECRUITS, PROUD BECAUSE YOU HADDONE THE WORK IT TAKES TO GET TOTHE ACADEMY AND LEARN -- EARNTHE BLESSINGS OF INSTRUCTORSLIKE GEORGE RODMAN, NEXT DAD.-- NICK'S DAD.YOU HAD TO BE ESPECIALLY PROUD,SENIOR OWNS ON STEP ONTO THATSTAGE AND RAISE HIS RIGHT HANDAND SWEAR AN OATH TO BE QUOTEFAITHFUL AND TRUE TO THECOMMONWEALTH OF KENUCKY, SOLONG AS I CONTINUE AS A CITIZENTHEREOF.AND I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE TOTHE BEST OF MY ABILITY THEOFFICE OF LOUISVILLE METROPOLICE OFFICER ACCORDING TO LAW.THE O'S ENDS WITH -- THE OATHENDS WITH SO HELP ME GOD.IN HIS TIME WITH LMPD, NICKBELIEVED THAT UPHOLDING THE LAWWAS ONLY PART OF HIS JOB,BECAUSE WHILE THE LAW GOVERNSOUR ACTIONS, IT'S OUR VALUESTHAT GUIDE US.AND ONE OF NEXT VALUES WITHCOMPASSION.-- NICK'S VALUES WITHCOMPASSION.HE LEARNED IT FROM HIS MOMLINDA, GEORGE, HIS BROTHER, HISSISTER, AND OTHER FELLOW ANDANTI--- LMPD OFFICERS.HE PRACTICE COMPASSION THROUGHLOVE AND DEVOTION HE SHOWED HISWIFE AND CHILDREN, WHO CLEARLYGAVE HIM SUCH JOY.HE BROUGHT THAT COMPASSION TOTHE JOB FAITHFULLY, EVERY DAYAND EVERY NIGHT ROUGH LIFE THATARE -- EVERY NIGHT.RUSS LASSITER SERVED WITH NECK,AND HE SAID EVEN WHEN NICK WASARRESTING SOMEONE, HE SAID HETREATED HIM THE WAY HE WANTED TOBE TREATED.HE KEPT TEDDY BEARS IN HISPATROL CAR TO GIVE TO KIDS THESEON-THE-JOB NEEDED SOME COMFORT.HE WENT INTO THE STORE AND CAMEOUT WITH A BIG BOX OF POPSICLESTO GIVE ALL THE KIDS IN THENEIGHBORHOOD.THAT WAS NICK.THAT'S THE STANDARD THAT HE SETFOR HIMSELF AS A POLICE OFFICERAT A PUBLIC SERVANT, AND AS AHUMAN BEING.AND HE WAS FAR FROM ALONE.COMPASSION IS A FUNDAMENTAL PARTOF POLICE WORK.IT'S WHAT ENABLES THE GOOD MENAND WOMEN OF LMPD TO THE SAFETYOF OTHERS AHEAD OF THEMSELVES.I WANT TO THANK ALL OF LMPD FORTHAT, THE TIMES YOU'VE DONE THAT, AND THE TIMES AHEAD WHEN YOUWILL.MY HOPE FOR US IS, AS ACOMMUNITY, THROUGH THIS TRAGEDY,WITH OUR HEARTS BROKEN OPEN,PEOPLE SEE POLICE OFFICERS MORECLEARLY AS FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS.PEOPLE WHO LOVE LIKE THEM,PEOPLE WHO CRY LIKE THEM, ANDMOST OF ALL, PEOPLE WHO DESERVETHEIR SUPPORT, RESPECT, ANDAPPRECIATION.ACCORDING TO HIS BUDDIES, ANDTHE -- NICK WOULD BE FUMBLED ANDA LITTLE BIT EMBARRASSED BYANYONE HOLDING HIM UP AS ANINSPIRATION.THE CLEARLY, HE WAS.HIS PASSING HAS SHOWN US ALLWHAT A BAND OF BROTHERS ANDSISTERS WORKING WITH PURPOSE ANDUNITY LOOKS LIKE.AS YOUR MAYOR, I KNOW YOUR CITYIS IN GOOD HANDS, AND I THANKYOU.TO THE RODMAN FAMILY, SAYINGTHANK YOU ISN'T NEARLY ENOUGH.WILL YOU GIVE IN, WHEN YOUSACRIFICE FOR THE PEOPLE OFLOUISVILLE IS BEYOND ANYTHINGTHAT WE CAN MEASURE WILL REPAY.-- MEASURE OR REPAY.BUT JUST AS MAY -- NICK SWORE ANOATH TO THE CITY, I SWEAR TO YOUAND WE WILL DO EVERYTHING IN OURPOWER TO HELP ASHLEY, MASON, LE,AND ALL OF YOU IN THE DAY,YEARS, AND MONTHS AHEAD.WE WILL NEVER LET HISCOMPASSION, SERVICE, THEFORGOTTEN.AND WE WILL NEVER FORGET THATEACH OF YOU IS SOMEONE'S CHILD,SOMEONE'S PARENT, SOMEONE'SBROTHER OR SISTER.I PROMISE THAT WE WILL CONTINUETO HONOR THE COMMITMENT THAT YOUAND YOUR FAMILIES ARE MAKING TOOUR CITY.SO HELP ME GOD.IN CLOSING, SOME WORDS OFPRAYER.ETERNAL REST GRANT UNTO THENICK,AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINEUPON HIM.MAY HE REST IN PEACE.AMEN.>> GOOD MORNING.WE HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TOGETHERUNDER VERY, VERY TRAGICCIRCUMSTANCES, AND I LIKE YOU,AND STILL REELING FROM THEEVENTS OF THIS LAST TUESDAY ANDWEDNESDAY.WHETHER YOU ARE HERE AS NICKRODMAN'S FRIENDS OR FAMILY,COWORKERS, OR MEMBERS OF THECOMMUNITY, WE ALL SHARE APROFOUND SENSE OF LOSS.AS FAR AS IT IS FOR EACH OF USTO BE HERE, WE DO USE OUR TIMETOGETHER AS AN OPPORTUNITY TOHONOR -- HONOR NICK'S LIFE AND HISINCOMPETENCE.HE BEGAN HIS CAREER AS A POLICERECRUIT, ON DECEMBER 9, 2013.AS THE MAYOR SAID, HE WAS SWORNIN AS A POLICE OFFICER THEFOLLOWING JUNE.HE SERVED HIS COMMUNITY AS APOLICE OFFICER IN THE FIRSTDIVISION, AND HE PERFORMED ALLOF HIS DUTIES WITH ENTHUSIASM,DEDICATION, AND ABOVE ALL, AGREAT ATTITUDE.FOR MY VISITS WITH NET FAMILY --NICK'S FAMILY, AND CONVERSATIONSWITH COWORKERS AND SUPERVISORS,HE WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR HISGREAT SENSE OF HUMOR, HIS GREATSENSE OF HONOR, AND IS A GREATMAN.NICK WAS THE KIND OF FIRST NEWJUST WANTED TO BE AROUND.HE WAS THE KIND OF MAN YOU WANTTO BE ABLE TO CALL YOUR FRIEND.THE DIVISION COMMANDER, MAJORANDREA BROWN, TOLD ME THAT NICK WAS INCREDIBLY WITTY, ANDHE WAS FUN TO BE AROUND.NICK WAS AN ATHLETE.AND HE TREATED THE MEMBERS OFHIS SQUAD AS IF THEY WERE ALLPART OF THE TEAM.AND CLEARLY NICK WAS A TEAMPLAYER.CURTIS LIPSEY TOLD ME THAT NICKWAS INCREDIBLY DEPENDABLE.HE WAS ALWAYS THERE TO HELP OUTWHENEVER AND WHEREVER HE COULD.AND HE SHOWED US THAT QUALITYTHIS LAST JUNE, WHEN ONE OF THEMEMBERS OF HIS SQUAD, OFFICERKYLE CAROL WAS SHOT.NICK WAS ONE OF THE OFFICERS WHOHELPED CLEAR THE ROUTE.HE WAS ONE OF THE OFFICERS WHOHELPED KERRY KYLE INTO THEHOSPITAL.-- CARRY KYLE INTO THE HOSPITAL.TRAGICALLY, HE WAS CAROL WHODROVE BANICK TO THE HOSPITALAFTER TUESDAY'S COLLISION.CLEARLY THERE IS AN AMAZING BONDBETWEEN THE MEN AND WOMEN OFTHAT PLATOON.TO NICK'S FAMILY, I SHARE MYCONDOLENCES.THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN SAY ORDO TO TAKE ALL YOUR HEARTACHE,BUT PLEASE KNOW, WE WILL ALWAYSBE THERE FOR YOU.PLEASE KNOW THAT NICK SACRIFICEWILL NEVER, EVER BE FORGOTTEN.HE WILL BE REMEMBERED FOREVER ISA TRUE HERO, AND I WANT YOU TOKNOW THAT IN THE WILL ALWAYS BEPART OF OUR ROUTINE.TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THELOUISVILLE METRO POLICEDEPARTMENT, AND TO THE BROADERLAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY THATIS REPRESENTED HERE TODAY.I PRAY THAT THROUGH THIS TRAGEDY, WE BECOME STRONGER AND MORERESOLVED IN OUR EFFORTS TOSUPPORT ONE ANOTHER.MAKES TRAGEDY -- NICK'S TRAGEDYAND UNTIMELY PASSING HAS CHANGEDOUR LIVES, WHETHER WE KNEW NICKPERSONALLY OR NOT.IT IS IN TIMES LIKE THESE THATTHE UNIFORMS ALL BECOME THE SAMECOLOR.THAT THE RANKS DISAPPEAR.THAT OUR BADGES REFLECT THE SAMELIGHT TOGETHER, WE WERE EVENMORE THAN A TEAM.WE ARE A FAMILY OF PROTECTORS,AND OUR SERVICE IS TO OURRESPECTIVE COMMUNITIES.NICK'S LIFE WAS CUT SHORT,TRAGICALLY SHORT.TODAY, IN THIS SAD MOMENT, WEMUST RALLY AROUND HIS FRIENDSAND FAMILY.KNOWING THAT THEY NEED US ASMUCH IS WE NEED THEM.TODAY, IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANTTHAT WE TAKE TIME TO SHARE OURRECOLLECTION OF NICK'S DESIRE TOWORK HARD AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE,AND TO ANSWER THE CALL OFSERVICE.BECAUSE THROUGH SHARED MEMORIES,AND THE SPOKEN WORDS OF OTHERS,NO ONE EVER TRULY DIES.NICK, MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.IT'S NOW MY HONOR TO INTRODUCERICK MEAL.-- RICK BEALL.DETECTIVE BEALL: GOOD MORNING.LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ON BEHALFOF THE RODMAN FAMILY, THEY WOULDLIKE TO THANK EACH AND EVERYONEOF YOU, FROM THE BOTTOM OF THEIRHEARTS, FOR JOINING US HERETODAY TO HONOR OFFICER NICKRODMAN, A MAN AS GOOD AS ANYTHAT GOD HAS TO OFFER.FIRST OF ALL, I WANT EVERYONE TOKNOW THAT THE WORDS I'M ABOUT TOSPEAK COME FROM NICK'S FAMILY,AND WHEN I SAY FAMILY, NOT ONLYNEED THE RODMAN FAMILY -- MEANTHE RODMAN FAMILY, BUT ALSO HISBROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO STANDBEHIND ME TODAY, THE MEMBERS OFHIS PLATOON.FORTUNATELY FOR US, WE HAVE THEDISTINCT PRIVILEGE OF WORKINGWITH NET FOR THE -- NICK FOR THELAST FEW YEARS.NICK WAS LOVED AND RESPECTED BYEVERYONE OF US.NOT TOO MANY OF US CAN SAY THEYARE LIKED BY EVERYONE THEY COMEINTO CONTACT WITH.NICK RODMAN CAN SAY THAT,BECAUSE HE WAS LIKED BY ALL.AS CHIEF SAID, AND NICK WASAN ATHLETE.HE WAS INVOLVED IN NUMEROUSSPORTS SINCE HE WAS OLD ENOUGHTO WALK.HE WAS A STAR FOOTBALL PLAYER ATMOUNT CARAMEL, HE ATTENDED HOLYCROSS HIGH SCHOOL WHERE HE WASIN ALL DISTRICT AND ALL REGIONFOOTBALL PLAYER AS WELL AS ASOCCER STAR.GRADUATING WITH 4.0 GPA.HE THEN WENT ON TO PLAY SOCCERAT GEORGETOWN COLLEGE, WHERE HEGRADUATED WITH A 3.8 GPA.AS PROVEN WITH HIS GRADE-POINTAVERAGE, NICK WAS A VERYINTELLIGENT MAN.ANDY, HIS BROTHER, TOLD ME THATIT ALWAYS IRRITATED HIM BECAUSEHE NEVER SAW NICK STUDYING ORDOING HOMEWORK, BUT HE ALWAYSMADE STRAIGHT A'S.GEORGE TOLD ME HE FOUND OUT MANYYEARS AFTER THAT THE MONEY HEGAVE NICK FOR HIS COLLEGE BOOKSWAS A LOT OF TIMES THAT ACTUALLYSPENT ON BOOKS.[LAUGHTER]WE CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT IT WASSPENT ON.BUT NICK STILL MADE STRAIGHTA'S.NICK HAD AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OFLIFELONG FRIENDS.FRIENDS FROM HOLY CROSS HIGHSCHOOL, FRIENDS FROM GEORGETOWNCOLLEGE, AND HIS FIRST ORIGINALSQUAD THREE FRIENDS.NICK WAS A PERSON WHO MEANT THEWORLD TO HIS COWORKERS, A HARDWORKER, AND HONEST POLICEOFFICER, AND FULL OF INTEGRITY.NICK LED BY EXAMPLE.WHENEVER A FRIEND WAS IN NEED,THEY CAN ALWAYS DEPEND ON NICK.I HAVE HEARD MANY STORIES FROMHIS FRIENDS, BUT THE BESTSTORIES I HAVE HEARD BY FAR WERECENTERED AROUND SIX WITH FOURINCH NICK.IN REALITY, NICK WAS NOT THATTALL.HOWEVER, WHEN NEED BE, 5'9"INCHES COULD INSTANTLY BECOME6'4" INCHES NICK.HE NEVER GAVE THREE QUARTERSEFFORT, IT WAS ALWAYS 110%.WHEN IT COMES TO HEART, THERE ISNOT A RULER OR SCALE BIG ENOUGHTO MEASURE NICK'S.NICK LOVED BEING A LITTLE METROPOLICE OFFICER.-- A LOUISVILLE METRO POLICEOFFICER.HE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO BEA TRAINING OFFICER, THESERGEANTS WOULD FREQUENTLY PUT ARECRUIT WITH NICK, ANDFREQUENTLY, HE SERVED AS ACTINGSERGEANT FOR THE SHIFT.THE REASON HE WAS TRUSTED WITHTHESE POSITIONS IS BECAUSE HECOULD ALWAYS BE TRUSTED TO MAKETHE RIGHT DECISIONS.WHEN THE SHIFT WAS FACED WITH ABAD SITUATION, AND EVERYONE ELSEWAS PANICKING, NICK WOULD JUSTSTAND THERE WITH THIS THUMBS INHIS GUN BELT, WITHOUT ENORMOUSGRIN ON HIS FACE, AND CALMLY SAYIT'S OK BOYS, WE GOT THIS, IT'SALL GOOD.OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS, I'VEHEARD NUMEROUS STORIES ABOUTNICK.STORIES THAT ICON MADE EVERYONEELSE, WAS TOTALLY UNAWARE OF.LIKE THE ELDERLY GENTLE MAN WHOAPPROACHED ME AND PORTLAND JUSTA FEW DAYS AGO AND SAID I NEEDOFFICER RODMAN, -- I KNEWOFFICER RODMAN, HE WAS A GOODMAN.THE GENTLEMAN HAD RUN OUT OF GASON MAIN STREET AND NICK PUSHEDHIS CAR ON THE STREET.THE MAN OFFERED TO HELP, BUT THEMAN WAS ELDERLY AND HAD RECENTLYHAD AN OPERATION, SO NICK WOULDNOT ALLOW HIM TO HELP.HE PURCHASED SOME GAS FOR THEMAN AND HELPED HIM ON HIS WAY.AND THERE'S THE TIME THAT NICKFOUND A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMWALKING IN THE COLD.SHE WAS SEVEN MONTHS PREGNANT,HAD NO MONEY, AND WAS LEFT WITHNOTHING TO EAT.IN TRUE NICK FASHION, HE BOUGHTFOOD FOR THE LADY AND MADE SURESHE HAD SHELTER FROM THE COLD.THERE'S THE MAN WHO WROTE ALETTER A FEW DAYS AGO, SAYINGTHAT NICK HAD ARRESTED HIM.THE MAN SAID THAT NICK TOOK THETIME TO TALK TO HIM AND LISTENTO HIS PROBLEMS.THE MAN WENT ON TO SAY THATSINCE THAT NIGHT, HE HAS BEENTROUBLE-FREE.AND BECAUSE OF NICK, HE TURNEDHIS LIFE AROUND.THE BIGGEST POINT I WOULD LIKETO MAKE WITH THESE STORIES ISTHAT NO ONE KNEW ABOUT THESEGOOD DEEDS UNTIL CITIZENS CAMEFORWARD AND TOLD THEIR STORIES.NICK PERFORMED THESE ACTS OFKINDNESS AND NEVER TOLD ANYONE.OF COURSE, LOOKING BACK, ITDOESN'T SURPRISE ANY OF US.IT WAS JUST NICK BEING NICK.NICK WAS THE GRANDSON OF POP ADAY OF AND POPPA JOE -- POPPADAVE AND POPPA JOE.HE TEARS TO BOTH MEN AND NEVERFAILED TO MAKE TIME FOR HISGRANDFATHERS.HE WOULD DRIVE HOME FROM COLLEGEONCE A WEEK TO HAVE LUNCH WITHPOPPA DAVE, AND THEN DRIVE BACK.POPPA DAVE NEVER MISSED A GAME,AND WAS HEAVILY INVOLVED INNICK'S LIFE.POPPA JOE WOULD TAKE NICK, ANDY,AND CARLY ON ROAD TRIPS, ANDEVENTUALLY TAUGHT NICK HOW TODRIVE.IT'S EVIDENT THAT BOTH GRANDPASHAD A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITHNICK, THE SAME TYPE OFRELATIONSHIP THAT I'M SURE THATGEORGE WILL SOMETIME HAVE WITHMASON AND ELLIE.WHEN IT COMES TO NICK, THEBROTHER, HE WAS ALWAYS THEREWHEN ANDY OR CARLY NEEDED HIM.AND ACCORDING TO DAD, HE NEVERWORRIED ABOUT THE YOUNGER TWOWHEN NICK WAS WITH THEM, BECAUSEEVEN AT AN EARLY AGE, HE COULDBE TRUSTED TO MAKE THE RIGHTDECISION AT ALL TIMES.AND HE TOLD ME THAT NICK WAS NOTJUST HIS BIG BROTHER, HE WASALSO HIS FRIEND.HE ALSO SAID THAT SHARING A ROOMWITH HIS BEST FRIEND DURING HISENTIRE CHILDHOOD IS SOMETHINGTHAT CAN'T BE DESCRIBED INWORDS.THEY MADE IT A POINT TO CALLEACH OTHER EVERY SINGLE NIGHT ONTHEIR WAY TO WORK, JUST TO SAYHI.AND THEN THERE'S CARLY, THISPOOR GIRL NEVER STOOD A CHANCEWITH NICK AS A BIG BROTHER.WHENEVER A BOY WOULD COME TO THEHOUSE TO PICK HER UP, NICK WOULDCALL HIS DAD WITH THE BOYSLICENSE PLATE.[LAUGHTER]JUST IN CASE DAD WANTED TOINVESTIGATE.[LAUGHTER]AND I'M SURE HE DID.AND THERE'S THE TIME WHEN ONE OFNICK'S FRIENDS SAW CARLY ON ADATE AND CALLED NICK.NICK AND HIS FRIEND RELATEDMESSAGE TO THE BOY.A MESSAGE I CAN'T REPEAT IN THISBUILDING.[LAUGHTER]NEEDLESS TO SAY, I'M SURECARLY'S BEHAVED HIMSELF THATNIGHT.ACCORDING TO GEORGE, NICK WASTHE BIG BROTHER THAT MOM AND DADALWAYS EXPECTED HIM TO BE, ANDHE WILL BE SORELY MISSED BY HISBROTHER AND HIS LITTLE SISTER.NICK THE SON.BORN IN 1987, GEORGE AND LINDA'SFIRSTBORN.AND WHO COULD ASK FOR A BETTERSON?HE WAS A DEVOTED HUSBAND ANDFATHER, A BIG BROTHER, A HARDWORKER AND A LOYAL FRIEND.AND THE REASON FOR NICK BEINGTHIS TYPE OF PERSON IS BECAUSEHE WAS RAISED BY TWO OF THE BESTPARENTS GONE HAS TO OFFER.-- GOD HAS TO OFFER.IT'S EASY TO TELL JUST HOW MUCHNICK, ANDY, CARLY, AND MASON ANDELLIE MEANS TO THESE TWO PEOPLE.GEORGE WAS NOT JUST A DAD, HEWAS NICK'S COACH, HIS MENTOR,AND ALONG WITH LINDA, HISTEACHER OF RIGHT FROM WRONG.NICK FOLLOWED IN THE FOOTSTEPSOF HIS DAD AND BROTHER, WHICH IKNOW MADE GEORGE EXTREMELYPROUD.I'M TOLD THERE'S A SPECIAL BONDBETWEEN NICK AND HIS MOM.NICK WOULD CALL LINDA EVERYSINGLE DAY TO CHECK IN AND SAYHE LOVED HER.GEORGE TOLD ME THAT EVEN THOUGHNICK AND ANDY ARE ADULTS ANDTHEY CARRY A GUN AND BADGE FOR ALIVING, TO LINDA, THEY WERESTILL JUST KIDS.HE SAID THAT LINDA WOULD MEETTHEM IN THE ALLEY BEHIND THEHOUSE, WALKOUT TO THEIR CAR, ANDGIVE THEM A PACKED LUNCH.GEORGIA ALWAYS GOT A BIG LAUGHWE TALKED ABOUT THIS.NICK SHARED MANY GOOD TIMES WITHHIS FAMILY, THE FAMILYVACATIONS, THE TRIPS TO KINGONCE, THE FAMILY BOWLING TRIPSON HOLIDAY EVENINGS.AND THE TAILGATING AT FOOTBALLAND BASEBALL GAMES.EVERYONE KNEW HOW PASSIONATENICK WAS WHEN IT CAME TO THECARDINALS.SO MUCH SO, THAT THE LAST TIMETHEY WERE IN THE FINAL FOUR,NICK DIDN'T SHOWER OR SHAVE, ANDWORE THE SAME CLOSE, INCLUDINGUNDERWEAR AND SOCKS, FOR THEENTIRE WEEKEND.[LAUGHTER]THE GOOD TIMES AND GOOD MEMORIESWILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.ONCE AGAIN, NICK WAS THE SON'SMOM AND DAD HAD TAUGHT ANDEXPECTED HIM TO BE.IT WAS AT GEORGETOWN COLLEGEWHERE NICK MET HIS LIFE ASHLEY,THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE.TO EVERYONE WHO KNEW THEM, THEYWERE THE PERFECT COUPLE.ANDY TOLD ME THE FIRST TIMEASHLEY CAME AROUND THE FAMILY,HE ASKED NICK, SO HOW LONG WILLTHIS WILL BE AROUND?NICK'S REPLY WAS YOU HAD BETTERGET USED TO HER.SHE WILL BE AROUND FOREVER.I LOVE THIS GIRL AND I'M GOINGTO MARRY HER.ACCORDING TO GEORGE, NICKENJOYED BEING A HUSBAND AND DADMORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE IN LIFE.NICK WOULD TAKE MASON TO THE ZOOON LONG WALKS, EVEN AFTER HEWORKED A 12 HOUR SHIFT AND WASFACING ANOTHER LONG SHIFT THATEVENING.GOING WITHOUT SLEEP WAS OK, ASLONG AS HE WAS WITH HIS BABIES.ALTHOUGH SHE WAS ONLY ONE MONTHOLD, THEY HAD ALREADY FORMED ABOND THAT EVERYONE COULD SEE.IT DID NOT TAKE LONG FOR HER TOBECOME A DADDY'S GIRL.NOT A NIGHT WENT BY THAT NICKDID NOT HAVE SOMETHING TO SAYABOUT HIS FAMILY, BECAUSE THEYMEANT THE WORLD TO HIM.AS I HAVE ALREADY SAID, NICKEXCELLED IN ALL CATEGORIES OFLIFE, BUT IT WAS EVIDENT THATASH, MACE AND ELLIE WERE HISNUMBER ONE PRIORITY'S.BEING A DAD WAS WHAT HE WAS BESTTHAT -- AT.CONSIDERING WHO HIS PARENTSWERE, THAT DOES NOT SURPRISE MEAT ALL.JUST LIKE NICK THE FRIEND, NICKTHE POLICE OFFICER, AND NICK THEBIG BROTHER, HE WAS ALSO THEHUSBAND AND DADDY THAT HISMOTHER AND FATHER TAUGHT ANDEXPECTED HIM TO BE.IT IS NEVER EASY TO SAY GOODBYETO SOMEONE WHO MEANS SO MUCH TOSO MANY.ESPECIALLY SOMEONE WHO WAS ASPOSITIVE AS NICK WAS IN EVERYASPECT OF HIS LIFE.I HAVE TRIED MY BEST TO EXPRESSJUST HOW MUCH NICK MEANT TO THISWORLD.IN REALITY, THERE ARE NO WORDSTHAT CAN ACTUALLY DESCRIBE JUSTHOW MUCH HE WAS LOVED BYEVERYONE WHO WAS INVOLVED IN HISLIFE.OFFICER NICK RODMAN, 123 BAKER,YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A MEMBER OFTHE GLOBAL METRO POLICEDEPARTMENT -- LOUISVILLE METROPOLICE DEPARTMENT.NOW, YOU WILL BE A GUARDIAN FORALL.YOU WILL BE ONE OF GOD'S SHEEPDOGS.OFFICER, REST EASY MY FRIEND.WE WILL TAKE IT FROM HERE.[APPLAUSE][INAUDIBLE]♪>> WHEN YOU CAME TO ME WITH YOURBAD DREAMS AND FEELINGS, THETEARS I CAN SEE YOU HAVE BEENCRYING.SEEMS LIKE EVERYWHERE YOU TURN,YOU CAST YOUR FEELINGS.I PUT ALL OF YOU IN MY ARMS.I COULD HOLD YOU FOR EVER.I COULD HOLD YOU IN MY ARMS.I COULD HOLD YOU FOREVER.WHEN YOU KISSED MY LIPS, MYMOUTH SO FULL OF QUESTIONS.♪♪>> NEVER MENTIONS THE WORDADDICTION INSERTING COMPANY --IN CERTAIN COMPANY.SHE TELLS YOU SHE IS AN ORPHANAFTER YOU MEET HER FAMILY.SHE PAINTS HER EYES BLACK ASNIGHT TIME.POLLS THOUGH SHADES DOWN TIGHT.IF SHE GIVES A SMILE WHEN THEPAIN COMES, THE PAIN IS GOING TOMAKE EVERYTHING ALL RIGHT.THEY CALL HER OUT BY HER NAME.TALK TO ANGELS.THEY ARE CALLING HER BY HERNAME.HE KEEPS A LOCK OF HAIR IN HERPOCKET -- SHE KEEPS A LOCK OFHAIR IN HER POCKET.♪>> HOW FICKLE MY HEART AND HOWWOOZY MY EYES.I STRUGGLED TO FIND ANY TRUTH INYOUR LIES.AND NOW MY HEART STUMBLES ONTHINGS I DON'T KNOW.MY WEAKNESS I FEEL I MUSTFINALLY SHOW.LEND ME YOUR HAND AND WE WILLCONQUER THEM ALL.LEND ME YOUR HEART AND I WILLJUST LET YOU FALL.LEND ME YOUR EYES, I CAN CHANGEWHAT YOU SEE.BUT YOUR SOUL YOU MUST KEEPTOTALLY FREE.AWAKE MY SOUL.AWAKE MY SOUL.HOW FICKLE MY HEART AND HOWWOOZY MY EYES.I STRUGGLED TO FIND ANY TRUTH INYOUR LIES.AND NOW MY HEART STUMBLES ONTHINGS I DON'T KNOW.MY WEAKNESS I FEEL I MUSTFINALLY SHOW.♪>> BEGGING FROM HER KNEES.MAKES YOU THINK SHE NEEDS ITTHIS TIME.SHE WILL TEAR A HOLE IN YOU.ONE YOU CANNOT REPAIR.BUT I STILL LOVE HER.I DON'T REALLY CARE.WHEN WE WERE YOUNG, OH, WHEN ITGOT COLD, OH, I CANNOT BE TOLD.I CANNOT BE DONE.IT IS BETTER TO FEEL PAIN THANNOTHING AT ALL. ♪>> THE POLICE MAN'S PRAYER.WHEN I START MY TOUR OF DUTY,GOD, WHEREVER CRIME MAY BE.AS I WALKED THE DARKENED STREETSALONE, LET ME BE CLOSE TO THEE.GIVE ME UNDERSTANDING TO THEYOUNG AND OLD.LET ME NEVER MAKE A JUDGMENT INA RASH OR CALLOUS WAY.LET ME HOLD MY PATIENTS, LETEACH MAN HAVE HIS SAY.IF UNDER -- IF ON SOME DARK ANDDREARY NIGHT I MUST GIVE MYLIFE, LORD, PROTECT MY CHILDRENAND MY WIFE.>> OFFICER NICHOLAS RODMAN WASBORN TUESDAY, GENDER SET INLOUISVILLE -- JANUARY 6 INLOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.HE DIED AT THE AGE OF 30 YEARSOLD.HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE,ASHLEY, AND HIS 2-YEAR-OLD SONMASON, AND HIS DAUGHTER ELLIE.HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS FATHER ANDMOTHER.HIS BROTHER WHO IS ALSO APOLICEMAN, AND HIS SISTER,CARLY.HIS BROTHER IN LAW, TIM, AND HISNEPHEW, JAMISON.NICK IS ALSO SURVIVED BY ODDSAND UNCLES AND OTHER LOVINGFAMILY MEMBERS.HE WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HISGRANDPARENTS.HIS LIFE IS MORE THAN JUSTSTATISTICS.AFTER TALKING WITH FAMILYMEMBERS AND FRIENDS, LISTENINGTO BE TESTIMONIES TODAY, THREEWORDS NOW COME TO MIND WHEN ITHINK OF THE NAME NICK RODMAN.THE FIRST IS FAMILY.YOU CANNOT TALK TO ANYONE WHOKNEW THAT AND THAT IS NOT THEFIRST WORD THAT WOULD,.NICK AND ASHLEY WERE A NEWFAMILY.NICK WAS INSTILLING IN HIS SONTHE FAMILY WAY.AND I UNDERSTAND THAT ELLIEALREADY HAD HER FATHER WRAPPEDAROUND HER FINGER.I UNDERSTAND FROM LINDA THAT THERODMAN'S ALL LIVE WITHIN A FEWBLOCKS OF EACH OTHER.IT WAS NOT UNCOMMON FOR ALL OFTHEM TO BE TEXTING IN ACONTINUOUS CONVERSATION.THE OTHER WORD I THINK ABOUT ISCOMMITMENT.YOU HURT HIS PROWESS AT HOLYCROSS HIGH SCHOOL.A 4.0 GPA, GEORGETOWN COLLEGE OF3.8 GPA.ALL-DISTRICT AND ALL REGIONFOOTBALL AND SOCCER.THERE IS NOT A THING THAT NICKDID NOT DO THAT HE DID NOT DOWITHOUT FULL EXCELLENCE.I UNDERSTAND THAT BEING A POLICEOFFICER WAS MORE THAN HIS JOB,IT WAS HIS CALLING.HE WAS AN OFFICER TO THE END.HE WAS COMMITTED TO WHATEVER HEDID.THE THIRD WORD I THINK ABOUT ISGREAT.NICK WAS RAISED -- IS FAITH.NICK WAS RAISED IN A HOME ANDEDUCATION SYSTEM THAT TAUGHT HIMABOUT GOD.MOST MEN DO NOT TALK ABOUT THEIRFAITH OR GOD.I UNDERSTAND NICK WAS ONE OFTHOSE MEN.THE REASON I THINK ABOUT FAITHWHEN I THINK OF NICK ROBIN WASBECAUSE OF THE WAY HE LIVED.YOU HEARD THE STORIES OF HOWNICK WOULD HELP PEOPLE, ANDNOBODY KNEW ABOUT IT UNTIL JUSTTHIS WEEK.HE PAID MONEY OUT OF HIS OWNPOCKET TO HELP A MAN WITH GAS.HE HELPED A WOMAN SEVEN MONTHSPREGNANT WITH GROCERIES.A PERSON WROTE BACK IN TO SAYTHAT NICK ARRESTED HIM AND THATNICK MADE AN IMPACT ON HIS LIFE.I WAS TOLD THAT NICK WAS THEGREAT PEACEMAKER OF THE FAMILY.LET ME REMIND YOU THAT JESUSSAID BLESSED ARE THEPEACEMAKERS, BECAUSE THEY ARETHE CHILDREN OF GOD.NICK DID NOT TALK ABOUT BEING ACHRISTIAN.HE JUST DID IT.HE DID THINGS THAT JESUS TAUGHTUS TO DO AND NOT JUST TALKABOUT.IT IS BECAUSE OF THIS THATNICK'S THAT IS AS MUCH -- DEATHIS AS MUCH A TRAGEDY AS IT ISSENSELESS.NO ONE IN HERE IS COMFORTABLEABOUT THIS, AND NO ONE IS ATPEACE ABOUT HIS DEATH RIGHT NOW.I HAVE TO BE TOTALLY TRANSPARENTWITH YOU.LAST TUESDAY, I WAS CALLED TOTHE HOSPITAL AS A CHAPLAIN.THAT IS USUALLY NOT GOOD.WHEN WE ARE CALLED, WE KNOW ITIS BAD.THAT FIRST DOCTORS REPORT IHEARD, IT WAS BLEAK.I HAD A FEELING THAN THAT THISWOULD TAKE A MIRACLE TO SAVEI ASKED ASHLEY IF I COULD SHAREWHAT WE HAD HEARD WITH SEVERALHUNDRED OFFICERS WHO WEREWAITING IN THE WAITING ROOM.I CAME OUT, AND THEY KNEW IT WASNOT GOOD NEWS.AND SO WE PRAYED.WE PRAYED FOR A MIRACLE THATNICK WOULD WALK OUT.ABOUT TWO HOURS LATER, THEDOCTOR CAME BACK IN AND SAID, "ICANNOT EXPLAIN IT, BUT NICK ISNOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET.IT IS STILL JUST 50-50, BUT WEEXPECTED HIM TO BE THIS BAD ANDHE IS ONLY THIS BAD."THE DOCTOR SAID THEY EXPECTED ITTO BE WORSE, AND HE WAS VERYCAREFUL AGAIN, BUT HE SAID, "IDO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS NOTWHERE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN."I SAT IN THE CORNER OF THAT ROOMAND I KNEW WHY.I MADE ANOTHER ANNOUNCEMENT.I SAID NICK'S CONDITION HAS NOTIMPROVED, DOCTORS SAY IT IS50-50, BUT THERE WAS HOPE.WE LEFT THE HOSPITAL WITH HOPE.I EVEN HAD A PRAYER THANKING GODFOR ANSWERING THE FIRST PRAYER.WE CONTINUE TO PRAY.ON THE WAY HOME IN MY CAR, ISPOKE TO GOD.I ASKED HIM THAT HE WAS GOING TOHEAL THIS MAN, AND THAT HE WASGOING TO SHOW UP AND SHOW A LOTOF PEOPLE WHAT HE CAN DO.I JUST COULD NOT BELIEVE IT.I WAS SO EXCITED.THE NEXT MORNING, I STOPPED INTHE HOSPITAL TO CHECK ON THINGS,AND I FOUND OUT THAT WHILE NETCONTINUE TO -- NICK CONTINUED TOIMPROVE A LITTLE BIT, HE TOOK ASUDDEN TURN THAT MORNING.HIS CONDITION WAS NOW WORSE THANIT HAD BEEN IN THE BEGINNING.I SAT AT THE HOSPITAL ALL DAYWEDNESDAY.I THOUGHT, "GOD, YOU ARE GOINGTO SHOW UP, RIGHT?"I WAS CALLED TO THE SECOND FLOORAND ASKED TO SPEAK WITH THECHIEF OF STAFF, A DOCTOR, AND ASURGEON WHO WERE GOING TO MAKEAN ANNOUNCEMENT.THE SURGEON HAD SAID NICK JUSTPASSED AWAY.I CANNOT TELL YOU THE IMPACTTHAT HAD ON ME.I NEVER HAD MET NET, BUT ICANNOT TELL YOU THE IMPACT THATHAD ON ME.I WAS ANGRY.I WAS IN DISBELIEF.I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT.I HEARD FOR HIS FAMILY -- HURTFOR HIS FAMILY.I HURT FOR GEORGE AND HIS ENTIREFAMILY AND FOR ASHLEY.AND WE WERE MAD AT GOD.WE WENT TO THAT SMALL CHAPEL,AND IT WAS A VERY EMOTIONALSCENE.THE DOCTOR EVEN BROKE DOWN ANDBECAME EMOTIONAL.YES ME IF I WOULD PRAY FOR THEM,AND I WILL BE HONEST -- I WANTEDTO TELL HIM NO.GOD WAS THE LAST PERSON I WANTEDTO TALK TO AT THAT MOMENT.BUT I DID BECAUSE THE CHIEFASKED ME TO.WE REPEATED THAT SCENE TWO MORETIMES.IT IS OK TO BE MAD IF ITPRODUCES GOOD ANGER.THAT IS NOT THE TYPE OF ANGER IHAD.I GOT UP THE NEXT MORNING, AND IWAS STILL MAD.I THOUGHT, "BILL, YOU HAVE TORESOLVE THIS."I TOOK MY BIBLE AND A NOTEPAD,AND I WENT TO STARBUCKS.THE BIBLE WAS THE LAST THING IWANT TO READ AT THAT TIME.I DID NOT KNOW WHAT I WAS GOINGTO READ, OR WHAT I WAS GOING TOWRITE.I KNEW IN MY HEART THAT IT WASTHE RIGHT THING TO DO, BUT I WASALSO SET ON JUST BEING ANGRY.ENGAGE MY MIND TO READ HEBREWS11 -- IT CAME TO MY MIND TO READHEBREWS 11.IT IS ABOUT THE HEROES OF OLD.PEOPLE WHO ARE RENOWNED FORTHEIR FAITH AND TRUST IN GOT.I READ IT MANY TIMES, BUT I SAWSOMETHING I'VE NEVER SEENBEFORE.OR IT AT LEAST IMPRESSED UPON MESOMETHING I HAD NEVER SEEN.MANY OF THESE PATRIARCH, MENRENOUNCE -- RENOWNED FOR THEIRFAITH, THEY ALL SUFFEREDHORRIBLE DEATHS.HE WRITES, THESE MEN WERE ALLCOMMENDED FOR THEIR FAITH.REALLY?AFTER THAT?SO MUCH SO THAT HE WRITES THEWORLD WAS NOT WORTHY OF HIM.THEY DO NOT LOSE THEIR FAITH ANDTRUST IN GOD EVEN THOUGH THEYHAD TO WALK THROUGH TERRIBLECIRCUMSTANCES LIKE THE DEATH OFGOOD PEOPLE.HOW DID THEY DO THAT?SOME THING THAT HAPPENED SEVERALTHOUSAND YEARS AGO, IS THATSTILL RELEVANT TODAY?HOW DO WE REACT TO ALL OF THISIN A WAY THAT IS HEALTHY ANDHONORING NICK?THE ANSWER OF THOSE QUESTIONSLIES IN THE TRUE DEFINITION OFFAITH.THE WRITER OF HEBREWS WRITESTHEY IS WHAT -- FATE IS BEINGCERTAIN OF WHAT YOU DO NOT SEE.FAITH IS THE EVIDENCE OF THINGSWE CANNOT SEE.YOU SEE, FAITH IS NOT BLINDLYBELIEVING IN SOMETHING THAT YOUCANNOT EXPLAIN.THAT IS NOT FAITH.THAT IS STUPIDITY.FAITH IS HOPE AND TRUST BASED ONWHAT WE KNOW.THIS IS WHAT MOTIVATED THOSEPEOPLE LONG AGO.THEIR ACTIONS IN FAITH WASMOTIVATED I TRUST BASED ON WHATTHEY KNEW.THEY KNEW THAT GOD PROMISED THEMA MESSIAH, BUT THEY NEVER HADMET HIM.THEY KNEW IT WAS PROMISED, ANDTHEY KNEW THAT GOD HAD PROMISEDTHERE WAS A BETTER LIFE THANJUST THIS ONE.THAT THERE WAS A HEAVENLY CITY.THEY WEATHERED THE INJUSTICE OFLIFE AND THE EVEN DIED BECAUSETHEY WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO ACITY WHOSE BUILDER WAS GOD.NOT ONLY DID THEY KEEP ON GOING,BUT THEY KEPT ON GOING ON THEHOPE OF A PROMISED MESSIAH.IT IS CLEAR IF YOU READ HEBREWS11, THE PEOPLE HAD NOT YETRECEIVED WHAT HAD BEEN PROMISED.BUT THEIR FAITH WAS BASED ONTRUST, AND THEY WERE MOTIVATEDBY WHAT LITTLE THEY KNEW ASFACT.IT IS THE SAME FOR US TODAY.IN THE SAME SITUATION AS WE SAYGOODBYE TO OFFICER NICK RODMAN.THE ME JUST SAY THAT THERE ARE ALOT OF THINGS IN THIS LIFE THATNOT ALL OF US ARE GOING TOCOMPLETELY UNDERSTAND.FOR INSTANCE, THE DEATH OF APOLICE OFFICER WHO IS TRYING TOKEEP HIS FAMILY SAFE.OR WHY A MAN IS TAKEN FROM HISFAMILY AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE.LISTEN TO WHAT MOSES WROTE.HE WROTE, "THE LORD, OUR GOD,HAS SECRETS KNOWN TO NO ONE, ANDWE ARE NOT ACCOUNTABLE TO THEM.WE AND OUR CHILDREN AREACCOUNTABLE FOR EVER FOR ALLTHAT HE HAS REVEALED TO US."A SENIOR PASTOR AND A GEORGE --A BOARD MEMBER OF THE DALLAS THELOGICAL SOCIETY PUT IT THIS WAY,"IF THERE ARE THINGS IN LIFETHAT HAPPEN THAT YOU DO NOTUNDERSTAND, IF YOU AREPERPLEXED, LEAN TOWARDS WHAT YOUDO KNOW AND NOT WHAT YOU DO NOTKNOW."THAT IS WHAT THESE ANCIENTHEROES WERE COMMENDED FOR.THEY LEANED INTO WHAT THEY DIDKNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO NOT KNOW.WE KNOW SOME OF MORE THAN THEYDID.WE NOW KNOW WHO THAT MESSIAH IS.IT IS JESUS.WE KNOW THAT GOD SAYS NEVER WILLI LEAVE OR FORSAKE YOU.WE KNOW THAT JESUS WAS A MAN WHOEXPERIENCED SORROW AND WHOSUFFERED FOR OUR SINS.WE KNOW HE ROSE FROM THE GRAVETO CONQUER DEATH AND GIVE USHOPE FOR ETERNAL LIFE.WE KNOW THAT JESUS SAID THAT INTHIS WORLD YOU WILL HAVETROUBLE, BUT TAKE HEART.WE ALSO KNOW THAT JESUS SAID IAM WITH YOU ALWAYS EVEN TO THEEND OF THE AGES.WE CAN LEARN A GREAT DEAL FROMTHESE MEN AND WOMEN OF OLD.LEAN INTO WHAT YOU DO KNOW ANDNOT WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW.THAT IS WHY THE WRITER OFHEBREWS ENDS THAT CHAPTER ANDBEGINS A SECOND ONE TALKINGABOUT THESE MEN AND WOMEN WITHTHESE WORDS."THEREFORE, SINCE WE ARESURROUNDED BY A GREAT CROWD OFWITNESSES, LET US THROW OFFEVERYTHING THAT HINDERS, AND LETUS RUN WITH PERSEVERANCE THERACE MARKED OUT FOR US.LET US FOCUS ON JESUS, THEAUTHOR AND PERFECTER OF FAITH,WHO SUFFERED UPON THE CROSS ANDTHEN ROSE TO SIT AT THE RIGHTHAND OF GOD.JESUS WHO SUFFERED AT THE HANDSOF SINFUL MEN SO THAT YOU WILLNOT LOSE HEART."ASHLEY, YOU CANNOT LOSE HEART.YOU NEED TO KEEP ON GOING IN THEHOPE IN JESUS.MASON AND ELLIE NEED YOU.DO NOT KEEP ON GOING.KEEP ON GOING THROUGH THE HOPEOF JESUS.CHRISTIE AND JIM, AND GREG MLORI AND TIM, DO NOT JUST KEEPON GOING, KEEP GOING THROUGH THEHOPE OF JESUS.ASHLEY NEEDS YOU NOW MORE THANEVER.YOU MEN AND WOMEN IN LAWENFORCEMENT, YOU CANNOT QUIT.YOU RUN WITH PERSEVERANCE THERACE MARKED OUT FOR YOU.YOUR COMMUNITY NEEDS YOU.YOU KEEP ON GOING IN THE NAME OFRIGHTEOUSNESS AND WITH THE HOPEOF JESUS.IN DOING SO, YOU WILL HONOROFFICER NICK RODMAN AND HELPCARRY ON HIS LEGACY.THERE ARE MANY THINGS IN LIFETHAT WE WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND.THINGS THAT ARE JUST NOT FAIR.DO NOT GET CAUGHT UP IN DOUBT.WE CAN STILL TRUST JESUS.YOU CAN STILL LEAN ON JESUS.LEAN IN TO WHAT YOU DO KNOW ANDNOT WHAT YOU DO NOT KNOW.WHEN MORE THING WE KNOW IS THATYOU DO NOT HAVE TO EARN YOUR WAYFOR THAT LIFE IN ETERNITY WITHJESUS.A LOT OF PEOPLE BELIEVE INHEAVEN THINK THAT GOD WILL WEIGHTHE GOOD AND BAD DEEDS OF YOURLIFE WHEN YOU DIE.IF AT THE END OF YOUR LIFE THEGOOD DEEDS OUTWEIGH THE BAD,THEN YOU ARE GOOD TO GO, BUTTHERE IS NOTHING FOUND IN THAT.THERE IS NO TRUTH IN THAT.THAT IS NOT WHAT THE FOLLOWERSOF JESUS SAID.LISTEN TO WHAT PAUL SAID.E REMIND YOU REMIND YOU, PAUL ISTHE GUY WHO USED TO KILLCHRISTIANS.HE MET THE RESURRECTED JESUS ANDHE BECAME ONE."FOR IT IS BY GRACE YOU HAVEBEEN SAVED.IT IS NOT FROM YOURSELF.IT IS FROM THE GIFT OF GOD.IT IS NOT BY WORKS, SO NO ONECAN BOAST.GRACE IS SOMETHING YOU RECEIVETHAT YOU REALLY DO NOT DESERVE.THAT IS GRACE."THAT IS GOOD NEWS FOR NICK ANDFOR ALL OF US, BECAUSE NONE OFUS ARE PERFECT, THAT GOD GIVESGRACE TO THOSE WHO ARE WILLINGTO RECEIVE IT.A 15TH CENTURY ROMAN CATHOLICWHO SERVED AS BISHOP HAD AFAMOUS STORY THAT TALKED ABOUTWHAT IT IS LIKE TO DIE.THIS IS WHAT HE USED TO SAY."THERE WAS A TOWN IN THE COUNTRY, AND A MAN AND A SON WERE GOINGTO WALK INTO TOWN.THEY HAD TO CROSS A FOOT BRIDGEOVER A CREEK.SINCE IT HAD RAINED, THE CREEKHAD RAISED UP, AND IT WASLAPPING UP OVER THE TOP OF THEFOOT BRIDGE.THE MAN PICKED UP THE LITTLEBOY, AND THEY WALKED ACROSS THEBRIDGE.THEY WENT INTO TOWN, AND THEYHAD A GREAT TIME.THEY SPENT THE ENTIRE DAY IN THECITY, AND AS THEY WERE GOINGHOME THE LITTLE BOY STARTED TOWHIMPER.THE DAD ASKED HIS SON WHAT HEWAS CRYING, AND THE SON SAIDTHAT THE BRIDGE THEY HAD BARELYGOTTEN ACROSS, IT IS NOW RAINING, HOW WILL THEY GET ACROSS IT?THE FATHER PICKED UP HIS SON,PATTED HIM ON THE BACK, AND HESANG SONGS TO HIM.THE LITTLE BOY FELL ASLEEP, ANDTHE NEXT THING HE KNEW HE WAS INHIS OWN BED THE NEXT MORNINGWITH THE SUNSHINE BRIGHTLYTHROUGH HIS WINDOW.THROUGH THE DOOR OF HIS BEDROOM,HIS DAD WAS STANDING THERE WITHA BIG SMILE ON HIS FACE."THIS IS WHAT DEATH IS LIKE.THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW ISNEVER AS SCARY AS IT APPEARS TOBE WHEN YOU'RE IN YOUR FATHER'SARMS.I BELIEVE THAT IS WHAT NICKRODMAN EXPERIENCED LASTWEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.LEAN INTO WHAT YOU DO KNOW ANDNOT WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW.WE ARE GOING TO CLOSE WITH ALOUISVILLE NATIVE ANDSONGWRITER.HE HAS COMPOSED IN ORIGINAL SONGAND THE HONOR OF NICK AS A GIFTTO HIS FAMILY AND THE LMPD ANDOUR COMMUNITY.WILL YOU LISTEN TO THE WORDS OFTHE SONG?THEN, I WILL RETURN IN CLOSINGPRAYER.♪ >> WHEN YOU WAKE NOT KNOWINGIF IT IS YOUR LAST, THAT IS THERISK YOU TAKE FOR YOUR CITY.A WAYS THE FIRST TO RESPONDBEFORE IT IS NEEDED.THAT IS THE PLEDGE YOU TAKE WITHTHE BADGE.WITH LMPD.RATHER HE IS AN ANGEL IN THECLOUDS.NOT ONLY DID HE GIVE HIS LIFEFOR HIS FAMILY, BUT TO THISLOUISVILLE CITY.WITH ALL THAT IS GOING WRONG INTHE WORLD TODAY, WE NEED MORE OFTHEM MAKE A SAY THAT SACRIFICINGALL WITHOUT EVEN THINKING THISIS FOR MY CITY.OUR BIGGEST HEROES DO NOT WEARJUST A CAPE.IT IS THE UNIFORMS IN THEM THATMAKE THEM GREAT.THEY ARE ALWAYS GIVING TO THISLOUISVILLE CITY.YOU SAY HE HAS FALLEN TO THEGROUND, BUT RATHER HE IS ANANGEL IN THE CLOUDS.NOT ONLY DID HE GIVE HIS LIFEFOR HIS FAMILY, BUT TO THISLOUISVILLE CITY.THANKS IS NOT ENOUGH.WE GIVE YOU ALL OUR LOVE.YOU ARE IN OUR HEARTS, YOURLEGACY CARRIES ON.YOU SAY HE HAS FALLEN TO THEGROUND, RATHER HE IS AN ANGEL INTHE CLOUDS.NOT ONLY DID HE GIVE HIS LIFEFOR HIS FAMILY, BUT TO THISLOUISVILLE CITY.THE LMPD.AND TO THE LOUISVILLE CITY.WE SING FOR YOU. ♪ THIS IS NICK RODMAN'S CITY. ♪ ♪>> WHEN YOU PRAY WITH ME?LORD, THANK YOU FOR THIS GIFT OFHAVING NICK WALKED THIS EARTHFOR 30 YEARS.YOU HAVE TOUCHED SO MANY PEOPLETHROUGH HIM, BUT THANK YOU FORTHE GIFT OF YOUR SON JESUS WHOALLOWS NICK TO ENTER INTO YOURPRESENCE.WE THANK YOU AND ASK YOURBLESSING ON US IN THE NAME OFJESUS.AMEN.I'VE BEEN ASKED TO GIVE YOU THEFOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT.THE HONOR GUARD WILL COME IN ANDDISMISS YOU.STAY SEATED UNTIL THEY GIVE YOUINSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO LEAVE THESANCTUARY.FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NEVERATTENDED THE POLICE FUNERAL --THE POLICE FUNERAL, IT IS ALITTLE DIFFERENT.NICK WILL GO LAST.HIS BROTHERS WILL LEAVE HIMFIRST FOLLOWED BY HIS FAMILY,CLOSE FAMILY, AND THE NECK.AS YOU EXIT AND GO TO YOUR CARS,PLEASE LISTEN TO THEINSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TO YOU IN THEPARKING LOT TO THAT YOU KNOW HOWTO EXIT WHILE HONORING NICK FORTHE BEST.THANK YOU.THIS CONCLUDES OUR SERVICE.♪

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