MILFORD – Sometimes you don’t have to know a person very well at all to know they are pretty cool.
You take for granted you will see them again.
I was shocked when I heard Milford Police Officer Chris Elder died several days ago of COVID-19.
I met Elder in downtown Italy, Texas at a restaurant while he was having dinner with an officer I knew formerly from Glenn Heights and now working in Italy, Kevon Howard. Howard introduced me to Elder, and from that time on Elder and I were Facebook friends. He would acknowledge my posts and I would do the same on his posts.
When I got word of Chris’s passing this past Sunday, I was shocked.
While there have been many people who have died of COVID-19 since this pandemic officially began back in March, I think about the law enforcement officers who are protecting us and the healthcare workers and teachers. They are all out there on the frontline of COVID-19.
At Elder’s Facebook page, there were a lot of interesting comments regarding his death.
I knew he was quirky – the comments on his Facebook page proved that.
However, after reading the comments, I also knew I had been a good judge of character when I liked him that first meeting.
I knew he was a dedicated police officer, but also a dedicated human being to his family and friends.
One person said, “He loved being a police officer as much as he loved his kids, and that’s a lot of love.”
Another post stated, “I can’t believe Elder is gone… he was a good cop and cared about his people for sure. He was proud of his profession and always proud of doing good work.”
“We lost a sweet soul yesterday,” said one of his classmates.
Elder had tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 8.
The Milford PD cleaned out his “unit” as they call it, a Tahoe, and have set up a display in front of the police department to add flowers to and to celebrate Elder’s life.
Jokes, laughter, happiness and a good soul – that is what you come away with when you look at this life through his friend’s comments.
Personally, I am glad I met him even if for just a moment, because you never know when you are going to have the chance to say hello – or goodbye – again.
Rest in peace, Chris, I can see a lot of people are glad they knew you.
To make donations, visit Elder’s Facebook page or stop by the Milford PD and leave flowers and a comment at 107 South Main, Milford, 76670.
Even if we don’t want to believe COVID-19 is real or is as bad as some say – one thing we can believe for sure – many good people are dying of COVID-19, and that my friend is real whether we believe it or not.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.