THE CHURCH parking lot is full. Fire trucks, ambulances, police and sheriff ’s department cars, and other emergency response vehicles encircle the property and overflow into areas surrounding Shelbyville’s Edgemont Baptist Church. It might spark concern or speculation in those passing by, especially in light of today’s headlines. But it’s not a crisis situation — it’s the church’s annual Hero Sunday.
HONORING OUR HEROES
Blue, black, and tan uniforms dot the sanctuary and choir loft pews. Red, white, and blue festoon banners, stars, and American flags salute and honor them. Badges and shoes shined to perfection glint under the ceiling’s spotlighting, reflecting pride in their work and commitment and dedication to the community. Their posture defies the load they carry for us as they sit and stand, still prepared to jump into action the second a call comes.
Pastor Jimmy West recognizes each hero in the special Sunday service, presenting them with a certificate of appreciation. Also honored are our city and county mayors and others responsible for our safety and well-being. Afterward, a special meal waits in the fellowship hall, extending the celebration of those who come when we call.
Do they wonder if what they do is ever fully understood and appreciated? Do we underestimate our long-term impact on the lives of those we encounter, even for the briefest of seasons?
A LASTING IMPRESSION
Officer Perry “O.P.” Brummett stood before the fifth grade class in a Powder Springs, Georgia, classroom explaining the dangers of drugs. The students, only 10 and 11 years old, might otherwise never hear the facts or understand the consequences of choices they might later make under pressure. Was he reaching them with the nationwide officer-led lessons of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program? Would they remember his words when they needed them most?
One fifth grader paid close attention. It was more than the program he presented — the boy respected Brummett, whose admonishing and encouraging words created a lasting impression upon him. And a year later, when a car struck the boy while riding his bicycle to school, Brummett was at the hospital to comfort him, presenting him with a teddy bear signed “Love, O.P.”
Brummett made a lifetime impression on the student, Jimmy West, who continues to honor him today.
“This guy comes in, and he was larger than life, but you could tell he really loved us. He said, ‘I love you and don’t want you to make bad decisions. I don’t want you to do something that’s going to ruin your life forever. Please don’t ever do that.’ And that stuck with me. I knew Officer Perry Brummett loved me, and I knew he would be devastated if I ever did anything that would cause me to ruin my life,” West recalled.
He continued, “When I grew into my high school years, I really didn’t want to have anything to do with drugs. In the back of my mind, I kept thinking, ‘What if Officer Perry catches me? What would he think about me?’”
West graduated high school and went to Bible college, but time never diminished his connection to Perry.
A LEGACY OF APPRECIATION
“When I took my first church to Louisiana in 2012, I wanted to do two things. I wanted to find a way to take Sept. 11 and use that as an opportunity to show love, gratitude, and appreciation to all the law enforcement in our town. But I also wanted to do something to honor Officer Brummett,” said West.
West arranged for Brummett to fly to Louisiana under the guise of seeing where he pastored.
“On that day, not only did we have our town’s mayor, city council, police department, fire department, and all the people we recognized that day, but I recognized him for the impact he made in my life,” West shared. “Then every year after that, while I pastored there in Louisiana, we had Hero Sunday, and I would give out an award called the ‘You Made a Difference Award’ in honor of Officer Brummett.”
The award continued yearly until West and his family moved to pastor Edgemont Baptist Church.
Being new to the area made the individual award more difficult. But West, committed to honoring Brummett and others like him, used Hero Sunday to honor all our local first responders and others who work to keep our community safe.
West said, “We have great attendance. I’ve done Hero Sunday in two different states for over 10 years now. And every year, I open up our service by telling everybody that I do this because of an officer by the name of ‘Perry T. Brummett.’ He made such an impact on me. It made me have a tremendous love for those in law enforcement and those that make a difference in our community.”
A LAST GOODBYE
While West and his family visited family in Georgia last Christmas, Burmmett’s wife sent a message requesting prayers for Brummett, who was in the hospital.
“Amanda and I jumped in the van and drove to the hospital. I was able to see him, spend time with him, pray with him, laugh, and cry with him a little bit. Then, two to three weeks later, he passed away,” West said.
Brummett’s memory lives on through West, a pastor, husband, and father of four committed to recognizing local heroes and promoting and supporting drug prevention programs in Bedford County schools.
While many of us, including our local heroes, may never know the lives we touch, never underestimate the long-term potential of our kindness and compassion. The smallest act can make the difference of a lifetime. GN
