Reminiscing Heroics

Local Cop Killed in Gun Fight. The article's title had read the situation loud and clear. Manitowoc was changing. People were gathering together, in the sense of hate and a whole, new "You are on your own" attitude. Especially with the fears of new gang fights going on, between the Southern Slackers and a new-forming gang among the lakeshores of Lake Michigan.

The counts of murders, heists, gun threats, and break-ins were growing. After a total of about 10 years of records over records of these situations, people have been starting to feel like their quiet, little city was becoming just as dangerous as living in Chicago, Illinois.

Although there was a neighborhood watch, although many homes have invested in surveillance cameras within their property, although more dogs have become owned and trained to protect over hundreds of homes along the community, things just didn't feel that "safe," anymore.

Sitting next to the article, was the obituary: "Adam Yolanski, 36, died unexpectedly, on duty, protecting three, young citizens from a gang fight. Yolanski was a powerful leader, enjoyed spending time with his surviving kids, and always put others before him. Survivors include his two children, Leanne and Amanda, his wife, Trish (Raines) Yolanski, and their beloved dogs, Amus and Cletus. He was a well-known, honorable policeman, who never took the name of 'officer' for his advantage. Funeral will be held at the St. Josephine's Cemetery, March 20, 2015, 8am until 9pm, to those who wish to commemorate on his dedication to his city."

Citizens from the city of Manitowoc were now gathered at this funeral, for a man they barely even knew. Each one held a rose for commemoration, taking their time to remember any little thing that this familiar face of a policeman had done for their community. One by one, they stopped to pray or remember a moment with them, place their flower on his casket, and follow in a line to the bar, for a drink.

After the service, the sisters have overheard the actions this man has done for so many. Although they felt disheartened about the loss of their father, they still felt a sense of pride for what he had done for this country.

"It's a shame to see him gone," one elderly woman lamented, shaking uncontrollably over her walking stick. "He sure was a good man."

She took in a breath from her inhaler and cleared her throat. "I remember the day he came into my house, as if it were yesterday. My cat knew something was wrong when I couldn't get out of bed one day and started meowing at this man. Once my Sassy led him into my home, he called for backup and got me to the hospital."

"My son ran away from home one day," another woman reminisced, gently patting the old woman on her shoulder. Her laugh lines most likely said she was in her forties. "He insisted life with me was too hard. But here was Officer Yolanski, complete with the right words that helped both Kyle and I create an even better bond than we had, back then. He also taught my Kyle that running away doesn't solve anything. My boy wants to be a cop when he gets older."

Another woman stepped in, who looked to be in her twenties. "I was a victim two years ago in a convenience store stick-up. These men were so terrifying, but Officer Yolanski knew what to do, in order to keep us all calm. After his arrest, I gave him a dozen yellow roses."

"I wondered where those were from," Trish laughed, joining in. "I seriously gave him a talking-to about that. But when he told me they had come from you, I learned how much of an influence my husband had on this community."

"Not just to mankind," a man stepped in. Appearing to be in his thirties, with a beard long enough to touch his chest. "I found a little kitten in a tree, years ago. After he helped her get down, I found myself assisting the rescue to a new family member."

"That's amazing!" another man exclaimed, shaking the bearded man's hand. "He helped prevent a stranger from trying to dognap my Duke from me. That man sure knew how to keep our community safe."

"Indeed," Trish smiled, tears welling up in her eyes. "A man who simply wanted to keep the peace. There was no need for violence, in his eyes."

A little girl came up to the sisters and hugged them. "I just wanted to thank your daddy for helping me find my mommy," she smiled. "I'm sorry he had to go. He's a good daddy."

Amanda smiled, nodding her head. "He sure was. Thank you for the hug." Hearing a sniffle from her younger sister, Leanne, she took her sister's hand and led her to the punch bowl."

"Dad sure put a huge influence on this community, wouldn't you agree?" Leanne smothered her nose over her sleeve and nodded. She didn't feel like talking, but Amanda knew where her sister's heart was standing. Both were just as proud of their father as their mom was.

Tears began to fall less, as everyone started to enjoy their lives, once more. As more and more memories of how the efforts of one, good policeman were expressed, the girls and their mother felt more proud of their father, the more time they had spent in hearing these related stories. They started to wonder if any of these people would miss him, as much as they were, even within weeks after his departure.

People were starting to leave to their homes, when the sisters reflected on the things that their father had done. Remembering how they felt so "sheltered" in the decisions he had made for his girls, they have learned too late that these cases were only parts of reasons why they thought he was "just a man who can't bear the idea of change...."