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Senior Trooper William R. Hakim Memorial
December 20, 2008
Superintendent Timothy McLain
It’s an honor to stand before you and represent the men and women of the Oregon State Police. On behalf of OSP - to our extended family in Woodburn - we are sorry for your loss. Tom was a solid family man, a top cop, a true leader and he will be missed. The OSP family is praying and cheering for Chief Russell. Each day is a new victory and we look forward to the day he comes home.
To our brothers and sisters who wear the badge, thank you for being there for us this past week. I don’t believe I have ever seen another time where so many city, county, state, and federal officers came together and worked non-stop, side-by-side to get the job done.
To the fine men and women who represent the fire service, you guys have been awesome this past week – thank you.
To everyone present today, thank you for being here to help us honor Bill. Some of you traveled a great distance and had to deal with this harsh weather.
To my OSP family, we lost one of our finest this past week. I am sorry for the loss of your brother, your partner, and your friend. I have never been more proud of you guys – you were hurting, but you pulled together and got the job done for Bill. This will make us stronger. Take care of each other and please continue to be there for Terri, Page, and Victor in the weeks, months, and years to come.
To Terri, Page, and Victor, thank you for sharing Bill with us for these past 11 years. He will be missed, never forgotten and you will always be a part of the OSP family. Terri, earlier this week you shared with me a book you and the kids made for Bill entitled: Our #1 Dad. Terri, Page, and Victor, our book is entitled: Bill - Our Hero.
The dictionary defines a hero as a person of distinguished courage, admired for their brave deeds and noble qualities. Many times heroes are identified during a single act of bravery. Others, such as Bill, are identified by a lifetime of achievements and how they lived each day.
Bill served 20 years in the United State Navy. I can’t think of a more dangerous job then the one Bill performed while serving his country. But that wasn’t enough for Bill; after retiring from the military he immediately signed up for a job in public safety – a job that would put him back into harm’s way.
The Oregon State Police was blessed the day Bill joined our Department in 1997, but it was also a difficult year for us as we lost three great Troopers that year including Dick Schuening, an experienced Bomb Technician. Terri and Bill had just purchased a home in Chehalis and Bill could have easily taken a Bomb Tech job in Salem. This would have put him closer to his family until they sold their home but Bill felt he needed to pay his dues, to learn the ropes as a Patrol Trooper, and to go where he was needed most. Klamath Falls was short of Troopers, so Bill took an assignment there to help out. For the next two years he lived apart from Terri and the kids. That was the Bill we came to know – he never said “no”. He rolled on every call….
December 12th was a typical day for Bill, always on the move, helping Woodburn PD in the morning, then teaching a class at the academy, and traveling back to Woodburn in the afternoon. That is the Bill I know, that’s the guy we could always count on.
In our book, Bill - Our Hero, the true test of a hero is what they do with their time when they are not being Superman. This week I found out what our hero did when he wasn’t fighting crime. This is where Bill’s noble qualities really shined through.
Besides being a #1 dad, Bill served his community by engaging local youths in sports activities. In today’s society, where most neighbors don’t know each others names, Bill knew his neighbors, he knew their needs, he cared for them, and just like he did on the job – he was always there for them.
Bill stood for everything that the flag represents. So in Bill’s honor I have one request. The next time you hear the National Anthem or you pledge allegiance to this great nation, think of Bill – stand tall, stand proud.
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