The Courage We Rarely Pause to Consider

There are moments in life when God allows you to see something you’ve looked at for years—but never truly understood.

I’ve spent much of my life serving alongside police officers, firefighters and emergency responders. I’ve prayed with them before shifts, stood beside them after tragedies, comforted their families and walked with them through some of the darkest days imaginable.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, I’ve served as a chaplain to first responders across America, from New York City to Las Vegas, through terrorist attacks, mass shootings, natural disasters and countless personal crises. I thought I understood what these men and women do.

Then, last month, God gave me an experience that changed my perspective.

After attending the Knicks championship parade, I ran into Deputy Inspector Maggie Clamp, whom I had worked with during the United Nations General Assembly. I jokingly reminded her that I still owed her officers a roll-call prayer before they headed out on patrol. She smiled and told me I did. I promised I would come to her precinct the following Monday.

A short time later, I was on 45th Street in Times Square when I suddenly heard what sounded like gunfire.

Around me, people did exactly what anyone would do—they ran away.

The NYPD ran toward it.

Without thinking, I found myself running alongside them. My only prayer was that no officer had been shot. Street after street, officers poured into the area. Traffic stopped. Evidence was secured. Victims were located. Within minutes, order emerged from chaos. Only afterward did I stop and ask myself: What did you just do?

While attending the dedication of the Detective Steven McDonald Training Center, I reflected on that moment. My thoughts turned to my dear friend, who was paralyzed after being shot in the line of duty. Yet Steve’s extraordinary life of courage, faith and forgiveness continues to inspire generations of police officers.

Running beside those officers gave me a glimpse—however small—into what Steve and so many others willingly accept every time they put on the uniform. For nearly 25 years since Sept. 11, I’ve honored the sacrifices of the 343 firefighters, 37 Port Authority police officers, 23 NYPD officers, three court officers, one FBI agent and one Secret Service agent who gave their lives that day.

I’ve spoken those numbers many times.

This time, I felt them.

A few days later, despite an injured leg, I kept my promise and went to Deputy Inspector Clamp’s precinct to offer that roll-call prayer. As we talked, I told her about hearing the shots in Times Square and instinctively running with the officers toward the danger.

That’s when we realized something remarkable.

The officers I had run beside were assigned to her precinct—the very men and women I had promised to pray for just moments before the shooting occurred. Neither of us knew it at the time.

For both of us, it felt far more like providence than coincidence.

Police officers, firefighters, EMTs and emergency responders don’t get to decide whether to move toward danger. That decision was made the day they raised their right hand and swore an oath. While the public seeks safety, they move toward uncertainty without knowing what awaits them.

As a chaplain, I believe ministry is about serving others. Watching first responders answer danger with courage reminded me that their ministry is lived out every day through action. They don’t preach sacrifice—they practice it.

The next time you see a police officer, firefighter, paramedic or dispatcher, remember that behind every uniform is someone who has already accepted the possibility that today may require everything they have to give.

That deserves more than our gratitude.

It deserves our respect, our prayers and our unwavering support.