February 12, 2007

 

Chief Frank J. Kitzerow

Town of Jupiter Police

210 Military Trail

Jupiter, FL 33458

 

Re:  Officer’s Professionalism

 

Dear Chief Kitzerow:

 

On Wednesday January 31, 2007, my family had the unfortunate experience of having our home in North Palm Beach Heights burglarized.  The resulting trauma due to the loss of personal property, emotional stress on my wife, daughter, and eight year old son has been tremendous.  The one shining light through this horrible experience was the performance, empathy, and professionalism displayed by your officers who handled our case.

 

Officer Paul Harrington displayed a calm and caring attitude to my wife, son and daughter until I could get home.  He was reassuring to them and very thorough and easy to work with while we surveyed the damage.  He stayed until the CSI was done with her work and was very kind to my family.  And beyond that, he is just a nice guy.

 

The CSI who came to process our house, Theresa Bryant, was very thorough, detail oriented and very easy to work with.  She took her time and did not hurry doing her job or make me feel as if this was just another home robbery.  She explained what she was doing and we felt she really cared about what had happened.

 

Officer Scott Kimbark was also a responding officer who explained that we were not the first to experience this recent rash of burglaries in the Heights.  Officer Kimbark struck a special chord with our son. 

 

It seems that while I was in the house with Officer Harrington and CSI Bryant, our son Devin was out in the yard talking with Officer Kimbark.  Unbeknownst to me at the time, he asked him “Why would anybody come in to my room and take my gift from Santa?”

 

Officer Kimbark later told me he did not have an answer for my son who was deeply distressed and upset over this incident.  However, what Officer Kimbark did later goes above and beyond the call of duty.

 

Officer Kimbark went back to the station and collected money from other officers to help buy our son another video game system to replace the one that was stolen.  When he came to our home two days later, my wife and I were at a complete loss of words at this random act of kindness.  Our son was thrilled to be able to play his games again and will be sending his own thank you to Officer Kimbark and the other officers.  The black SWAT uniform, hat and dark glasses could not disguise his caring heart.  He told my wife and me before he left our house, “your son got to me”.

 

Police officers in today’s world get too much criticism and too little praise.  My wife and I wanted you to know that we appreciate the professional and competent staff your department has.  And, to thank the other officers who helped make the gift to my son possible.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Lynn & Susan McCullough