Washington State Trooper Tony Radulescu

Look at that face. Seriously take 5 seconds to look at that face.

That’s the face of a happy, confident, strong, loyal and dedicated man. Good smile, nice teeth, hair high-and-tight under a helmet of service that represents protection. Look at that uniform: clean, crisp, represents respect to you; whom he serves. The bow tie could go, but it’s cute. The yellow shoulder patches designate him as your Washington State Trooper.

This is Washington State Trooper Tony Radulescu and he wears a uniform behind a badge of honor and courage, one of service and respect. Trooper Radulescu is another soldier killed in the line of duty.

I don’t even know Trooper Radulescu, I’ve never met him or seen him before today. I do know many other soldiers that fight or have fought for our country, but I’ve never written how I’ve felt about what they do or did. I’ve never really told any of them or their families that I appreciate the sacrifices they’ve made with their own lives and families in order to serve me the generous helping of freedom, peace, and worry-less environment I enjoy today. I don’t need to know Trooper Radulescu to feel the pain and sorrow his family and friends are feeling today. Matter of fact, I’m glad I didn’t know him—only because it would hurt far more.

I’ve never done anything so noble as to protect my community or country. I’m a civilian and abuser of the system and rights that I’ve earned only because I made it out of the womb alive. My only fight for freedom was breaking the bonds of an umbilical cord and I needed 100% help with that. As a teenager I vandalized property, stole a few trinkets, drove drunk, fought, but never did I ever understand honor, bravery, or respect for man, woman, or country.

Many of us react the same way in the wake of a fallen soldier: We express our sadness, empathy, and emotion through social media, tears, candlelight vigils, or even by shaking the hand of another soldier in the only way we know how to say, “Thank you.” Some of us call our own soldier children, fathers, mothers, and grandparents and tell them we love them and thank them for their service. Maybe another sits behind a keyboard staring at the face of a man who’s the same age, probably has the same dreams of happiness, and has friends and family that love him, but is, at this moment, embarrassed to no end.

I’m embarrassed because I’ll finish this writing between bouts of tears and questions from my family about why I am crying, and then I’ll post it on my blog. Secretly, I’ll hope many people read it and get my message which is to be thankful for what you have and to those who provide it. I’ll proof it, post it, then head downstairs for dinner—where’ll I’ll talk to my children about the days events, share a glass of wine with my wife in my middle-class living room, and finish the night asleep safely and soundly under the shield of America. I’m embarrassed because that is all I’ll do: feel bad, write about it, acknowledge my freedoms and continue on with my life. Trooper Radulescu won’t be doing any of that.

The difference between guys like me and the puke that killed Trooper Radulescu, is that I’ll wake up with this same respect, embarrassment, love, and concern for my life and country and I’ll still know right from wrong. Yes, the puke cowarded-out and won’t be waking tomorrow at all- but rest assured that there’s another puke out there that will feel s/he has earned something more, that will feel they are more important, and will make another family altering decision.

To all those traffic pukes, child burning pukes, and any other puke-du-jour; I offer you this: Just take yourself out before taking someone else out. I’m a child of suicide and I condone it if you’re a douche-bag puke.

To the family and friends of Trooper Tony Radulescu: I hope you soon find the peace your son/father/friend worked to provide for you and for me and my family. And honestly, I do wish I had known him.

Tacoma News Tribune:

WSP trooper shot and killed on SR 16

1:55 PM - A possible suspect in the fatal shooting of Washington State Patrol Trooper Tony Radulescu early Thursday has died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The 44-year-old veteran officer was shot during a routine traffic stop near Gorst.