News

Reservist stands at attention in honor of slain police officers

  • Published
  • By Sandra Pishner
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Extreme cold meant nothing Dec. 8 to people lining the streets along the route of an emergency services vehicle procession honoring the four Lakewood police officers murdered Nov. 29. And it meant even less to Tech. Sgt. Chad Gloor, an Air Force Reservist with the 446th Maintenance Squadron here.

Dress in his full service blue uniform, the Reserve NCO quietly slipped across the street from others gathering to pay their respects, intentionally getting behind any cameras and out of the mainstream. There he stood in freezing weather at military attention for three and a half hours as 2,000 vehicles passed.

Sergeant Gloor didn't anticipate the procession to take more than three hours to clear McChord, where police and fire vehicles from across the country mustered. But, he doesn't regret his steadfastness.

"I had wanted to be part of the volunteers who represented our wing at the memorial, but I wasn't selected," said Sergeant Gloor. "So I decided to just go out there and stand at attention. I thought it would be about an hour or so."

The only break he took was when the procession stopped for about five minutes. Even then, Sergeant Gloor maintained his military bearing, standing at parade rest.

His simple gesture has garnered Sergeant Gloor some unexpected attention. Despite standing behind the cameras of local news media, he was photographed and filmed and reporters approached him for comment.

People in the community, like Don Donoho from Aberdeen, Wash., took note of his display of respect for the slain police officers and called McChord Air Force Base to commend him. Mr. Donoho wrote in a letter to the 446th Airlift Wing's public Web site: "I witnessed a scene that was very moving. A sergeant ... stood at attention in full uniform, in subfreezing weather for about four hours to honor the fallen police officers." Mr. Donoho went on to say that Sergeant Gloor did not do this for personal recognition, but for the respect of the officers and that to him, the NCO went above and beyond the call of duty.

"I just wanted to be there," said the eight-year Air Force veteran. "I'm trying to become a police officer, so I really felt the need to be there."

Sergeant Gloor's display of respect earned him the thanks of several police officers that day, and one who even told the Reservist to apply to his department and use him as a reference.

"I was just there. I didn't want any attention."