Officer Bradley Thomas Arn

To the Unknown Hero:

I remember the day your life was taken, only I didn't know it at the time. I was 9 years old at the time. To be honest, I had no idea how serious this situation was.

I was in the passenger seat of our family car with my mom that was driving that day. We were driving I believe north on 22nd. We were coming up by the church when I heard the gun shots. My mom, still driving yelled at me to get down and started motioning and pushing me into the floorboard.

She kept driving but thats all I can recall until arriving back at our house after. I was the most ill behaved child for my poor mother all my childhood until that day. I'm still in disbelief that she reacted so quickly and correctly.

I would only find out later that along with the shooter, you lost your life as well. I'm now 32 years old. You were only 28. I am so sorry. I'm sorry that while sadly during points in my life, I took mine for granted in the worst ways imaginable while yours was taken doing your job just as you probably did like any other day.

I am a recovered addict of over 5 years now, but I was clinically dead 2 different times before that happened. I try very hard to cherish life and everything I'm blessed to have in it. But you also stay in my mind, even back then which helps remind me to be thankful everyday.

You did not die in vain. You are a hero. And I wish your daughters could have grown up knowing you, but I know they know that they have a hero as a father that more than likely prevented even more serious deaths or injuries by your attempts to stop that monster.

After your death, I started noticing the blue lights on people's porches. I learned what it meant. And everytime I see a blue glow coming from a porch, my mind goes directly to you. And everytime I pass that church, I don't think of that beast that took your life. I think of you and how you risked it all for so many that you didn't even know.

Thank you for sacrificing everything to help save mine. I wish I could thanked you in person, but I'm thanking you now. From what I've read from all the people that loved you and shared such fond memories of you, it seems you are never far from anyone's minds and hearts.

Rest Easy, Sir. Thank you, for everything.

Ashtin Ulrich
Just a kid that remembers a hero

December 15, 2021