I am penning this letter in response to the Feb. 12 article regarding Vanessa Walsh, the widow of Federal Way police officer Brian Walsh. I am Vanessa’s dad and Brian’s father-in-law.

I would first like to speak about Brian the man. Brian was the best son-in-law a father could hope for. His devotion was first to his family and then to the public he served. He was a straight shooter to all who knew him. It goes without saying he will be missed by all who knew him.

In regards to the legislation under consideration in the capital, we should all understand that he died for all of us. Every day in this country, we ask first responders to lay their lives on the line for us. Please make no mistake, they all work in a combat situation. The men and women defending us and their families deserve our unbending support. It is first and foremost a moral issue and not a financial issue. Take a moment and think about what life would be like without these men and women and the families who support them every day. I dare say it would not be acceptable to anyone.

Unfortunately, I have seen up front what death brings to a family. The sorrow and loss are tremendous and shake us to our very core. We have a moral obligation to help in any way we are capable. The pain and sorrow will never go away.

I am asking the elected representatives to do the right thing morally and ethically for the families of the fallen. What price is a man’s life worth? I am sure it is more than we can ever repay. Please pass this bill for all who serve.

Dan Santopolo, Federal Way