Behind my desk at work on the wall above my head is a piece of artwork that can be observed. Every zoom call. Every podcast I record. If you watch any of the videos, including this one, you will see it. I often get asked about it and there is indeed a story behind it. Keep reading (or check out the 9 minute video)… and learn how this week’s message contributes to demystifying the remodeling process.
It’s a picture of a custom-made American flag. The stained wood contrasts with the mostly black details of the flag, but through it runs a single horizontal blue line. That line signifies the ultimate sacrifice of a police officer.
Another key detail of this picture can be found in the lower right corner, which reads, “In Memory of Officer Toney”. It is the feature that makes this artwork personal to me as Bill Toney was not only my friend, but also an outstanding Beech Grove Police Officer before he was killed in the line of duty on the evening of September 29, 2000.
A Friday Night
This Friday night 24 years ago was like many others at that time. Just two families getting together and having dinner, letting the kids play and catch up for the week. My kids were 5 and 2… Bill’s kids were 4 and 1. It was a simple dinner that night… go grab Subway and bring it back to the house. Bill was going into work an hour early that night to work for a friend who wanted to do something with his family. Bill offered to fill in for him since it’s tough on that middle shift to find family time. When he and I ran to pick up dinner, we heard on the police radio the call about the stolen van. We even looked for a minute as we were in the immediate area where the van was taken. Bill looked at me and said, “I’m gonna get that van tonight!” Honestly, I had little doubt he would.
Tragedy
Lessons Carry On To This Day
The picture behind my desk reminds me of several things one might not see when they study it. First, I think of Bill. Many don’t know he was a talented cabinet designer, but he tried several times to get on the Beech Grove Police Department. His perseverance was incredibly admirable, and I told him how proud I was that he never quit working to achieving that goal. Once on the job, he was an outstanding police officer. He would talk to people, occasionally give people a break when it was warranted, and he used common sense as he did a very difficult job.
Second, I think about the problems I might be dealing with at my desk less than 4 feet away, but there is nothing life and death about what we do. There is nothing that measures up the sacrifice that Bill made taking care of the people of Beech Grove. I do keep in mind those sacrifices as we address issues for clients. Will we do things for clients beyond our obligation in a contract? Every single day we do. People and relationships are everything. We want to leave positive lasting impressions. Bill definitely left a lasting, positive impression on those around him.