Faces Of Courage

After many years of having been involved in law enforcement, I have seen courage on a very personal level. Police officers who I know and have known in the past have done many amazing things that go beyond any consideration for personal safety. The fact that they do it day in and day out is truly amazing. However, I was recently reminded that courage is found in many places.

When I think of courage from a law enforcement perspective, I think of the quick thinking and tactical decisions that are made after a crime has been committed. But let's face it; most crimes are not committed in the presence of a police officer. What about the time that passes from the time a crime is instigated until the crime is completed? It can be one minute, ten minutes or days according to the circumstances and the motives of the perpetrator. It is during this time frame that I have learned to appreciate the courage that is shown by numerous crime victims.

Recently, a local retired couple were the victims of a brutal home invasion by two armed attackers. During the commission of the crime, the couple were required to undress, at which time the woman was forced to perform sexual acts, as well as, being sexually assaulted with a firearm. Her husband was forced to watch these horrific scenes. He described his feelings of helplessness as he watched his wife being attacked while held at gunpoint. At some point, the husband attempted to gain control over one of the perpetrators. Fearing that her husband would be killed, she begged the assailant to return his attention to her. After some time, the nude couple
was tied up with Christmas lights and deserted. The courage and fortitude that was displayed by this couple is hard to imagine.

After the perpetrators left the house, they were able to free themselves enough to call 911. She gave a description of the two that had been in their home, a detailed version of what had occurred and a vehicle description of the car the two had left in. In an incredibly stupid move, the criminals were apprehended, after a police chase, as they were going back to the house of the victims, again.

But the real courage from these two was most apparent during the criminal trial. Both the husband and wife sat on the witness stand and bravely identified their attackers. Both told a story of one of the most frightening, degrading, and humiliating stories that I have witnessed in many years of law enforcement. Both held their composure, as they told intimate details of a brutal sexual assault to the jury and a room full of complete strangers. It is only by their participation in the trial that the two men were later convicted of the crimes that had been committed. It is only by sure bravery, courage, and a desire to live that the two were not killed in this crime.

I have spoken with this couple about this incident and am still awed at how they managed to keep their minds clear. They were only concerned with each others safety and were determined to do whatever it took to see that they both lived to see these two punished for what they had done. I for one, thank God, that we able to achieve this goal.

Courage is a funny thing. It will show up in the most obvious places and sometimes it will show up where you least expect it. On this day, it showed up on the face, heart and soul of two very brave people who will live another day as they share their love for each other.

Stan Hall is the Director of the Victim Witness Program for the Gwinnett County District Attorney's Office. He is also the host of the Gwinnett County Communication Network's television show "Behind the Badge."