Parents of Sydney woman shot dead by a U.S. cop write touching tribute about their daughter
THE family of Sydney woman Justine Ruszczyk — who was shot dead in the U.S. by a police officer — have paid tribute to her and thanked the community for their support at a vigil held one-year on from the tragedy.
Manly
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- Feature: One-year on since the death of Justine Ruszczyk
- Sunrise vigil at Freshwater Beach for Justine Ruszczyk
ENDLESS waters of sorrow have washed over us the last 12 months.
They have worn a deep channel. They have exposed our hard edges and our vulnerable corners. These currents have reshaped our hearts. They will never be the same.
The source was the cruel, unnecessary, senseless killing of our beloved Justine. It was at the hands of someone who should have protected her when she asked for help.
But we live not with an image of a police officer offering a helping hand but of the killer standing over her dead body in an alleyway.
Justine was a person, a soul who was a beautiful being built of equal parts intelligence, wit, love, inquisitiveness, warmth and understanding.
She had an amazing ability to help others believe that they could recreate themselves, by opening their hearts and minds and accepting that they had a strength and the courage to live a better way.
We — family, friends, lovers, colleagues and mates — miss her in our individual ways. We have lost the chance to ever get another dose of Justine therapy.
Since that terrible moment 12 months ago we have been impacted by how integral she was in our lives, how much she added to our daily fabric.
Her killing has cost us a great deal. She was a special one.
We thank all who came to the vigil on Sunday and to those not there who have paused to think of her.
The waters continue to wash over us but will not drown us. We remain committed to our fight for justice for Justine.
Always remembering getting justice for her will be just one step towards ensuring justice for all.
We wished the vigil to be silent. From that silent group of family and friends we all gained courage to weep again for her loss and strength to continue the march towards a judgment day.
This compassionate community has supported our resolve to pursue the truth.
We — our communities here and in America — do not want such a travesty as this to occur again.