Tragic story offers something that connects with our humanity and kinship

Officers Painter (R) and Jefferson (L) were close friends

Officers John Painter and J.J. Jefferson were killed in the line of duty Tuesday, responding to a suspicious person report on the campus of Bridgewater College in western Virginia.

The suspect was captured alive and taken into custody.

Naturally, at this point the suspect's motives are unclear. However, at a time when the news media, the houses of government and indeed much of the country is awash in racial discord, it is not only uplifting, but I believe critical to report the fact officers Painter and Jefferson, one black, the other white, were close friends. Reports noted the two were popular among Bridgewater's students, and were often referred to as the "Dynamic Duo."

In fact, officer Painter was the best man at officer Jefferson's recent wedding. In a perfect world this fact may well garner nothing more than a passing thought. But, of course, our world is far from perfect and so, even in the shadow of this tragedy, it is so very important to find something that connects us as human beings, as a part of something far bigger than ourselves alone ... as children of God.

Interjecting a personal opinion I believe the vast majority of Americans share, our country, like so many others across the globe, has an unfortunate history with race and racism, but it in no way ought to define us as people or a nation. Rather, it is imperative we continue on a path of seeking both commonality and understanding, while remembering ― and indeed embracing — the strides we, as Americans, have made generationally.

This is not to say the task is finished, or that cruelty and ugliness don't still pierce the safety of what should be our human fellowship. But in order to not only maintain, but increase the pace of our progression, we must never allow the clarity of our hope to fade. Please do not surrender to society's least common denominators: fear and hatred. Those things may be the driving force in media (social and otherwise), but if left unchallenged, they will subvert every gain we've made.

Thank you for indulging me. Now go and be kind; don't just have a good day, be the good in someone else's day.

RIP officers Jefferson and Painter.