Dear MIT Police Department members and families,
Regretably I never got a chance to meet Officer Sean Collier.
Through the touching accounts of others who had that privilege, I have come to better know him, and he has been in my thoughts every day.
I don't make much of dreams. This morning, however, I dreamed that Sean had returned to campus in full uniform, with hiking equipment from a trip. Upon awakening I realized the ugly truth and felt such a profound sense of loss. And my next thought was of all of you and the Collier family- what do you feel every time you wake up to a new day with that realization of this new world without Sean? How are you holding up?
I have learned in these trying times that we compartmentalize people a lot- the research staff, the maintence staff, etc, in proximity and totally disconnected. And then there is law enforcement. As a citizen, I understand that the dangerous nature of your job requires that I respect you and your space. Thus we have such a limited understanding of you and your lives. I am grateful the citizens you protect and serve have recently had a chance to better get to know you, although unfortunately through tragic circumstances.
We just can't understand what it is like to lose a fellow Officer.
Here are some of my experiences and observations with respect to your response of late:
1. I have realized I have worked on the same floor as an MIT Officer's wife, who has given *so much* to me since I expressed my condolences, going out of her way to let me feel like more of a part of the MIT PD community
2. I met her husband, who wound up comforting me more than I was able to convey condolences for his loss
3. Watched MIT and Cambridge Officers discuss how best to consolidate and make more permanent the makeshift memorial at Stata
4. Watched an MIT Officer sell Collier Strong t shirts
The fact is we need you. Not just to keep the watch. We need your strength. I draw on your example every day to be a better citizen, to give more.
Chief DiFava conveyed during the memorial service a sense of a betrayal that members of the Cambridge community could turn on those who protect and serve them.
I have to echo this sentiment after learning of the college students who did not come forward after learning their friend was a suspect in the Marathon Bombings. If just one person had come forward, just one, this brutal assassination of our Officer could have been prevented.
So to the rest of my fellow citizens, lets try and lead the conversation as to what is going on in our communities that could have made these acts possible and then protected by community members. Law enforcement cannot carry the full burden of this problem, though they will bravely
remain in the line of fire as they do their jobs.
The Collier family, MIT Police and families, I can assure you that even as we all return to normal under your watch, you are in our thoughts every day.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Sincerely,
Batula
