Permit me to convey my heartfelt sympathy and condolence to the MIT police department as well as the family of Office Collier.
So often civilians take for granted the members of the support services. This applies especially to campus police who are always there to help direct the lost, answer urgent calls, assist the injured, enforce the law, or even occasionally provide a friendly ride to someplace on campus. I have always found the MIT force to be kind, committed, enthusiastic and helpful.
As recently as last Tuesday (4/16), during a meeting in the faculty club, my colleagues and I received (mobile) telephone notice of a possible threat in E51. As is the "norm", the threat was investigated, determined to be false and the all-clear was sounded. We in the community depend on you doing your jobs efficiently and then telling us "things were handled". One gets used to being protected when the outcome is usually positive. So it is almost unimaginable that one of our own would fall in the line of duty at the hands of two bombers.
I am deeply appreciative for what you do. But I am deeply saddened that Ofc. Collier's family has had to pay such a heavy price for our protection. I cannot imagine a more noble way to end one's days than in the protection of others. But it does not remove the finality or the damage to those left behind--especially when one is so young. This will be very hard on the Collier family and the force as well as the MIT community as a whole. But we promise to remember. We promise to place even greater value on what you do on behalf of all of us who benefit in great (and little) ways by your service..
The only thing I can offer is a heartfelt thank you. Thank you for protecting us. Thank you for your commitment. Thank you to all the families who provide the support that allows you to work on our behalf. I promise to not take it for granted again.