To the city of Burbank,
On Nov. 3, at the City Council meeting, I was privileged to once again lead the invocation. On the docket were many issues, both mundane and meaningful.
One that captured the emotion and heart of many was the acknowledgment of Burbank Police Sgt. Neil Thomas Gunn’s death.
The sorrow, anger and conflict were manifest.
This is a horribly difficult time for the Gunn family, who I do not know, for our officers, some of whom I do know, our City Council and for our city.
We need to be in prayer and support for those who have lost so much. We also need to stay with what we know and be a hopeful light in the confusing days ahead.
I know many of you have been in prayer for the Gunn family and our Police Department these past few days and weeks.
Unfortunately, there is much information and misinformation going around our city as this tragic event is framed in the viewfinder of an investigation. As the president of the Burbank Ministerial Assn., I know my brother and sister clergy have important ways of calling us toward hope in tragic times. In my tradition in both confusion and hope, we reach out to Christ and the power of his resurrection.
So, what do we do? I don’t presume to know much about such tragedy, but I offer the following:
All of us should pray for the Gunn family and for all of our police officers and their families. They are very, very closely knit, making something like this especially hard, but somehow more bearable. They are wonderful people with a vibrant faith in God, but even God agonized at the loss of a son.
Wrap a loving circle of support around those who have to do their job in these difficult times, but don’t close in on them. And unless it is your job to do so, do not second guess them. They need your presence, but they also need space to think and pray and laugh and cry and get back to life.
Speak to a counselor, pastor, friend or someone if you need to talk about this. Bottling up your emotions creates pressure. Let it out. But try to limit discussing things that you know nothing about. None of us should know the inner workings of the ongoing investigation. We need to support and not judge.
