War's reality hits home

The stark reality of war hit home this past weekend when Utahns learned that Marine reservist and Salt Lake City police officer James W. Cawley had been killed during a firefight near Nasiriyah, Iraq, on Saturday. Cawley, a staff sergeant with Company F of the 2nd Battalion 23rd Regiment Marines, was killed when he was struck by a coalition forces' Humvee as he sought a secure position out of the line of enemy fire.

Not only has Utah lost a brave and dutiful Marine, Salt Lake City has lost a police officer who had served in the department's gang unit and SWAT team. Sgt. Cawley, 41, of Layton is survived by his wife, Miyuki, 8-year-old son Cecil and 6-year-old daughter Keiko.

The Deseret News joins all Utahns in expressing its deepest sympathies to Sgt. Cawley's family and to his "extended family," members of the Salt Lake Police Department. We are mindful of the great sacrifices of the men and women in uniform, as well as the heavy price paid by their families.

According to the Pentagon and family members, 42 American troops had died in Operation Iraqi Freedom as of Monday. Seven service men and women had been captured and 17 are missing. Among the British troops, 25 are dead, but none have been reported missing or captured.

Sgt. Cawley clearly understood the risks of military service, as a service member himself and as the son of a veteran. This was reflected in a letter to his children: "When I was a little boy aged 6, my dad, your Grandpa Cawley, was sent to Vietnam during the war there. I remember how much I missed him. But being a child, I didn't realize how hard it must have been on him, too."

As much as he loved his family, colleagues and family members, Sgt. Cawley also deeply loved his country. "He had no hesitations about going over. He was concerned for his family, but he was a Marine and believed in his mission," said Salt Lake City police spokesman Sgt. Dave Hoffman.

We salute Sgt. Cawley and thank him for his service to our country and, closer to home, his dedication to his family and the Salt Lake police force.