Dear Liberty Dispatch

It is with a heart so heavy with grief that I write this tribute to my precious friend, Odell McDuffie, Jr. I first met Odell around early 2000. He was such a breath of fresh air…always happy…always smiling…ever watchful of those lives that were his responsibility.

I will never know if he was born with it or if he honed it through his years of working in law enforcement, but Odell had a sixth sense which caused you to think that he was another happy-go-lucky guy who was just enjoying life when, in fact, he was ever vigilant of his surroundings and how they affected those in his charge.

I remember when he first told me about his new girlfriend, Emily. My, oh my, how proud he was of her. I never thought that smile on his face could get any larger, any more brilliant or that his glow could be any brighter, but that Emily…she really made it happen for Odell. Emily, I hope you never doubted his love for you because it was strong in the beginning, in the middle and at the end. You and the girls were his life and he was extremely proud to talk about you to anyone who would listen.

Odell McDuffie, Jr., you will be sorely missed here on this earth, but knowing the angels are rejoicing in paradise as you join their heavenly chorus will make our burden here a little lighter. I wish you Godspeed, my friend. There will never be another Odell McDuffie, Jr. in my life for you can never be replaced.

Someone who knew Odell...