Trying to make sense of the assassination of two police officers on the Saturday before Christmas, my mind keeps drifting back to the morning of March 13, 2010. That’s the day a police officer saved the lives of my family.

Shortly after 5 in the morning, my wife and I heard noise outside. I thought it was some drunks and, when we saw police lights flashing, expected it would soon be over. Instead, at 5:15, a police officer knocked on our door and told my wife that the hotel next door was engulfed in flames. As the shock set in, the officer calmly but firmly told her that we needed to get dressed and get ready to evacuate. He then went on to the next home.