Our Loving Father, Our hearts are heavy as we join with the men and women of the Jersey City Police Department as they mourn the loss of their dear friend and co-worker, Officer Melvin Santiago.  On any day of the week, we know there are about 100,000 law enforcement officers on-duty across the U.S. at any given time willingly placing their lives in harm’s way to be a peacemaker for their community.  We are so grateful for the service Officer Santiago gave to community as we know that there is no greater love than for man to lay down his life for his friend—or in this case, his community.  Lord, as we come with boldness before Your Throne of Grace, we ask for Your amazing grace and endless love to touch the men and women of Jersey City Police Department who are deeply hurting at this tragic loss of a fine young officer.   May Your presence be felt throughout the entire department.  And as we know the family of Officer Santiago are in obvious shock at this sudden loss, we ask for Your grace, peace, mercy and peace to settle upon them and draw them ever so close to Your side as You carry them through this difficult time.  We are thankful the suspect was apprehended who also lost his life during this incident.  Lord, may You bring about good through this tragedy.  May your Holy Spirit touch the hearts of many Jersey City Officers and draw them ever so close to Your heart where they can personally experience Your peace that passes all understanding.  May You raise up Godly officers, chaplains and others to exemplify Your strength to many others.  And as the department will be preparing to say a final farewell to Officer Santiago, may Your grace be made real to many officers who are searching for answers.  May many come to personally experience the forgiveness of Your Son in the days and weeks ahead and may many receive Him into their hearts to intimately know the eternal life provided by Him for all who believe and receive Him by confessing their sins.  May You bless the Jersey City Police department greatly through this tragedy, in the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

News Link:
http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2014/07/jersey_city_police_officer_fatally_shot_in_line_of_duty.html