#Middlebury
By BRIDGET HENRY
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” Coretta Scott King
If compassionate actions are in fact the currency by which we measure the greatness of Middlebury, then I truly believe the residents of our community have amassed a fortune. Over the past 20 years each of us have been the beneficiaries of the bravest and most compassionate of acts at the hands of one of Middlebury’s finest, Police Officer Ed Demers.
A true Middlebury treasure, Officer Demers and his trusty K9 companion Jay retired from the Middlebury Police department August 31. Though there is no doubt in my mind that Middlebury will never feel quite the same without the two of them, I am deeply grateful for what Middlebury is because of them.
I met Officer Demers in the winter of 2012 when I was working as a long-term substitute teacher at Middlebury Elementary School. At the time, I had been a resident of Middlebury for five years; however, I had not yet had any run-ins with or need for the Middlebury P.D. Of course, in a town our size I recognized most of the officers and had learned a few of their names. But my interaction with the police department had been limited to a wave of thanks to officers as they directed me through a construction stop.
Unfortunately, the Sandy Hook school shooting in December 2012 changed many things, including my interaction with the Middlebury Police. I vividly remember pulling into Middlebury Elementary School the Monday morning after the shooting to find a police cruiser sitting at the entrance of the parking lot. As a teacher and as a parent escorting my own children into that building, I couldn’t decide if I felt sadder or safer at the sight. Looking back, I know I was feeling a bit of both.
In the days and weeks to follow, police cruisers in the lot became a regular sight. On many occasions, the officers in the cars would come into the building and walk the halls. One officer in particular became a very familiar face during those days. In fact, more often than not, he was the officer stationed outside. Take the kids out to recess? He was there. Field day? He was there. School assemblies? He was there. And though his presence was a sad reminder of an unthinkable tragedy, his calm and friendly demeanor did wonders for us all – students and teachers alike.
“Don’t worry,” they said. “Officer Ed is here,” they said. “He will protect us,” they said.
My first graders were very smart children. And their teacher? Very grateful.
And so it is with the deepest of gratitude I thank you, Officer Demers, for your 20 years of service to the Town of Middlebury. If compassionate action was the currency by which one funded retirement, then you, my friend, would be a millionaire. As always, I am happy and grateful to be Somewhere in the Middle (safe and sound) with all of you.
