With great sadness, we acknowledge the tragic loss of John Hobbs, a 21-year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department who was shot and killed this week while serving his community. Our thoughts are with the Hobbs family and the entire Phoenix Police Department, as well as with Detective Albert “A.J.” Casados, who was also shot during the incident and is recovering.

We can’t make sense of it, so we do what we can. We come together as a community to pray, honor, and support … which can come in many ways.

It can come by making a donation to the 100 Club of Arizona. The 100 Club is an organization dedicated to providing immediate financial assistance to the families of public safety officers who are seriously injured or killed in the line of duty. To make a donation or learn more about the 100 Club, please visit 100club.org

It can come by keeping the families in our thoughts and prayers, by making banners and erecting memorials in their honor. And it can come by just saying “thanks” the next time we see a public safety officer.

While we may not be able to make sense of it, we can make a difference.

By Sue Thomas