I am blessed, for I have been in the company of heroes. I am proud of the fact that I have known Curt Massey, that we got the opportunity to work together, and moreover, that we were friends. I do not for a minute believe that someone is a hero, just because they are a police officer, no more than a soldier is a hero jsut for being a soldier. Nor do I believe that we are all equal. We may have been born equal and enjoy equal rights and responsibilities. But we are not equal in the human endeavor. Society is made up of the weak and the strong. The weak become victims; they are the sheep. The strong, the sheepherders, become our soldiers, our police officers and our fire fighters. John Stuart Mill wrote in the 1850s: "War is an ugly things, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of morale and patriotic feeling that thinks that nothing is worth war, is much worse. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing he cares about more than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature who has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of men better than himself." Curt Massey is one of those "better men." I have now been retired from the Culver City Police Department for almost four years, having served for a total of 37 years, 33 of which as a sworn police officer. During that time I have seen a lot of people come and go. I do believe that the very large majority of police officers are extraordinary people. A few are not. Some are extra-extraordinary, and a few become "the best." Curt Massey had the heart and character to be one of those few who became "the best." On Thursday, January 22, 2009, I had breakfast with Curt. I was able to present him a plaque of appreciation from the International Police Association to thank him for his service to our organization. In that endeavor too, he excelled. I am now so grateful for that breakfast. Already, we miss him so. Those who gave us Beauty in life, Will live for ever In our hearts. Farewell my friend, rest in peace. Yes, indeed, I am blessed, for I have been in the company of heroes. Ed Henneberque #251 Retired Culver City PD