November 2, 2007
Have you ever seen a cop cry?
If you haven't, it's probably because you're not married to one, or the child, or parent of one. But if you have ever doubted the emotional sensitivities of a police officer, just remember, they are no different than yours.
It's true that in their capacities as the "keepers of the peace," they are exposed to more gruesome and at times heartbreaking events that the rest of us. And some of them, over the years, develope a capacity to disassociate themselves with some of the tragic events they face. But I can tell you from my own experiences, that when it comes to child victims, the defense systems developed by some of these seasoned old cops, become defenseless systems.
Take the case of "Baby Grace," the young girl whose body was discovered on a remote island in Galveston Bay. The very sight of this child, dressed in her pink and white Disney outfit and flickering-lights tennies, hit directly at the hearts of some of the most seasoned criminal investigators.
That was apparent Thursday at a press conference in Texas City, when Galveston County Sheriff's Major Ray Tuttoilmondo stepped up the the mic to detail the case for dozens of reporters. His voice wavered, there were some short gasps, and some say his eyes weld somewhat, but he maintained his composure as he told the story of the little dead girl and how she came to be known as "Baby Grace."
Below is an email sent to the media Wednesday from Ray Tuttoilmondo. I drop the title Major in this sentence, not to disrespect his rank, but to present him as Ray, the man, the person, the father, the human being behind the badge.
Breck Porter, Editor
I don’t often make an appeal of emotion, choosing to stick with the facts of cases as we should. However, a case such as this draws out emotions in all that touch it - even us cynical old cops. I ask that you "buck the system" and include the emotions you, like me, are experiencing in looking at this case as a parent, a child, one who has children as part of your life, or just as a human being. The emotion in this case is strong - likely stronger than many I’ve seen in my 20+ years in this business, and we need your help to make this case break.
You must admit this case tugs at your heartstrings, just like it does mine. I hide behind the façade of the stoic cop - and you behind your "just the facts" media approach. It’s going to take more than "just the facts" to make this one work, and I appeal to your (and your heartless editors!!!) sense of humanity to give this case a face - and a heart.
I think Chau (the alleged short timer) said it well - "This case makes me sick to my stomach." Cynthia had a comment something to the effect this was a sad case. They’re both right.
I cannot help but emphasize we are dealing with a little girl, not just unidentified body. To us, she isn’t unidentified - we simply don’t know her name. She has an identity to the lives she touched - and there are likely more than just a few of those, including every one of us involved in this case and has come to know her, in our own way, during the past couple of days. There is someone out there that is missing her in both the literal and emotional sense, and it is absolutely critical that we hear from that someone. That’s where you come in, getting that message to that some.
Feel free to quote me on any of the comments above.I’d appreciate it, and I would hope our little girl would as well.
Maj. Ray Tuttoilmondo
Galveston County Sheriff's Office
