Enfield Blue Mass Honors Police, Celebrates Rule of Law

James Bailey Brislin
The Carpet City Chronicle

The Enfield Press, May 15, 2008

“For as in absolute governments the king is law, so in free countries the law ought to be king; and there ought to be no other.”
—Thomas Paine, Common Sense

The rule of law is one of the defining characteristics of a free society. It is a value that was fundamental to the founding of the republic. Our armed services personnel have defended it in countless wars.

What is the rule of law? According to the rule of law, all are bound to follow the law, and all are entitled to the protection of our laws. This is the case, regardless of whether someone is a pauper or the president. Ultimately, this is important to keeping the justice system impartial.

However, laws are only as effective as the force backing them up. Fortunately, Enfield has a talented police force, commanded by one of the finest police chiefs in the state.

It is a service that greatly impacts the quality of life here in Enfield. Physical security makes it worthwhile for businesses and residents to buy property and invest in the future of the community. No businessman will set up shop in a neighborhood where his customers and his business could be robbed. No father will move his family to a community with a crime problem.

The importance of public safety is best illustrated by the disinvestment that we see in communities with dysfunctional police protection. Hartford’s urban blight problems correlate with narcotics and other crimes; many abandoned buildings have become the shooting galleries of drug addicts. Although Hartford has significant crime and blight problems, they are a shadow of what I saw in St. Louis, Missouri. Large neighborhoods were filled with burned-out, abandoned buildings. In East St. Louis, many of the abandoned buildings had been demolished. Whole lots had been reclaimed by nature and covered with vegetation.

About fifteen years ago, spiraling crime problems posed a major threat to Thompsonville. Enfield Police rolled up their sleeves and stayed busy. Their work eliminated the gangs and stabilized the neighborhood. These efforts have made possible the opening of small businesses like the Thompsonville Creamery. This is vital; the fate of the neighborhood is intimately tied to the fate of its businesses.

This week marks the observance of National Police Week. In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed today, May 15, as National Peace Officers Day. Flags are flown at half-staff to honor the sacrifices of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. In Washington, the names of the fallen are engraved into the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial in Judiciary Square. Survivors hold a candlelight vigil at the Memorial and participate in memorial services at the Capitol.

Here in Enfield, National Police Week will be marked by the celebration of the annual Blue Mass at Holy Family Church. It will be held today (Thursday) at 7:00 PM. The Mass will be preceded by a procession of police cruisers. Luckily, Enfield has lost only one police officer in the line of duty, Officer Joseph Pych. He will be honored along with retired police officers who passed away this year.

Enfield residents are very lucky to have some of the best police protection in Connecticut. We have a force of officers who comport themselves in a manner that is professional, courteous, and fair. Citizens do not often get the chance to thank their police officers. This is one way that citizens can show their support for Enfield Police.

In addition to being a memorial for the fallen, the Blue Mass also celebrates the rule of law. At the heart of American justice lies the rule of law. The daily work of Enfield’s finest sustains this founding value.

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