OPINION: Unsung heroes at scene of a shooting

To the citizens of Coeur d’Alene,

As many of you are aware, there was a man murdered and another man injured during an incident in our beautiful city recently. I have seen many posts and heard many comments asking, “What happened to our peaceful little town?” I share your sentiments; however, I am writing this letter to give hope and a reminder that our peaceful little town and its wonderful people haven’t gone anywhere.

You all know the details from the local news and reporting outlets that can be released from our brave and dedicated law enforcement and medical agencies who have been involved in this recent tragedy. These are the details you won’t find anywhere or in any reports.

After the man was shot, 911 was called by multiple neighbors and passersby. At this time when our amazing first responders were rushing to the scene, the first people to check the scene for any further threat and to check on the condition of the man who was shot, was not the EMTs, paramedics, nor was it the Coeur d’Alene PD. It was his neighbors and one of the victim’s friends. It was these people who first got to him and tried to give him a fighting chance until the EMTs and police got there.

Another neighbor came and offered his CPR training if it would help. During the time following, the friend who was helping along with his girlfriend were not able to get to their car and an older gentleman who rented a room at the residence where the incident occurred was not able to go home due to the crime scene and both had to unfortunately wait outside as night fell and temperatures dropped.

During this time neighbors offered them whatever comforts they could. One neighbor offered coats and gloves, another offered blankets, another gave them hot coffee, and one even got them a hotel room when it became obvious that they would not be able to get to their home or vehicle due to the intensive investigation that the situation required.

So, as many of you hear the news and wonder, “What happened to our peaceful little town?” I hope this finds you and serves as a reminder that it’s still here and still filled with good, caring and selfless people. We cannot define our community by the actions of one or even a few bad and misguided people. Most of us are still good, honest, hardworking, courageous, caring people. You just don’t hear about it often enough to serve as a reminder.

Thank you to the people who were there and showed their true character during a difficult time and thank you to our brave and courageous law enforcement, fire department and medical first responders. I hope this is an inspiration to all.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men (and women) to do nothing.” — Edmund Burke

“Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking.” — H. Jackson Brown Jr.

“Bravery is not the absence of fear, but the action in the face of fear.” — Mark Messier

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Jerod Bader is a proud Coeur d’Alene citizen.