Sheriff Vásquez – Remembering Sgt. Tate Lynch

“Greater love hath no man than this. That he lay down his life for his fellow man.” John 15:13

On Nov. 1 an estimated 500 law enforcement officials from around Arizona came to Casa Grande to pay last respects and escort one of their own, Sgt. Tate Lynch, a Casa Grande Peace Officer, to his final resting place.

Many of those who attended knew Sgt. Lynch by name only. Except for firefighters and the military, no other profession turns out to honor the life and death of someone they have never met. They attended because they were bound by a common vocation, which is more than just a job, or a career, or a profession. We all have something in common as we leave for duty; we hug our children and kiss our spouses and wonder if it will be the last time.

Sgt. Lynch was a member of the Pinal County Sheriff’s SWAT Team for more than two years. During that time I had only spoken to him a few times, mostly in passing with a polite greeting of, “Hi, how are you?” As I sat in the church listening to his family and friends talk about the man, I felt a loss of not getting to know him better.

His family and friends called him “a man of character,” “a true Christian,” and “that he was truly Christ like.” Tate knew his role in life – a Christian first, a family man second and a peace officer third. Tate believed he was called to be a peace officer to serve the people, and he approached his job with that attitude.

Tate, in the eyes of his family and fellow peace officers, is a hero although he never really set out to be one. He loved his life as much as we love ours. He had a place in the world, a family waiting and friends to see again. He thought of the future just as we do with plans and hopes for a long life. But he left it all behind when he reported for duty on Oct. 25 and parted with it forever when he died.

During National Peace Officer Week in May of 2008, we will gather at the new Pinal County Peace Officer Memorial and the Arizona Peace Officer Memorial in Phoenix to once again honor Tate along with others whom he joins. We hope to understand the extent of our loss and the meaning of the sacrifice he made. It’s more than words can ever express. In the end all we can do is be thankful to have known him; all we can do is remember and always appreciate the price that was paid for our own lives, our own freedom and our safety.

Tate lived as a peace officer so that when wrong was done, justice would be served. He trained and worked to protect children from predators, to eradicate drugs from his community, to track down dangerous gang members, to bring justice to victims and to make Casa Grande and Pinal County a safer place. Like the many who attended his services, he chose to serve as a peace officer, as a guardian of freedom.

Tate’s death must remind us that we must never take our safety for granted and that our cherished freedoms do not come without a price. His death should serve as a vivid reminder of the dangers we face, both enforcing the law and in training, and why we chose this profession. I am privileged – and proud – that Sgt. Tate Lynch chose our profession, to stand beside us as a member of our SWAT Team. I will always remember and be inspired by the example he has given and by the legacy he leaves behind. His spirit remains, forever imprinted in our minds and our hearts.

Sgt. Tate Lynch, whether you set out to be a hero or not, you are a hero to me and to many others. I firmly believe when you entered the Kingdom of Heaven, God greeted you from His throne; God looked at you with love in His eyes and said, “Job well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter for I have prepared a mansion for you.”

I would like to close with Tate’s favorite Bible scripture:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9