ORLANDO, Fla. — A police officer sent a desperate email to his pastor after the shooting at Pulse in Orlando.
Watch a replay of "Stories of Orlando Strong" here. The 30-minute special that aired on WFTV Channel 9 looked back at the shooting tragedy, stories of hope and survival, and how our communities have pulled together to heal.
Dr. Joel Hunter, Northland Church senior pastor, commended Officer Justin Lemieux of the Belle Isle Police Department.
Listen: Officer interview
Lemieux rushed to Pulse when he heard there was a shooting. He dragged person after person out of the nightclub.
Lemieux said he's not looking for praise, and wants the focus on healing the community.
But Hunter said Lemieux’s email could bring more healing than he thinks.
Lemieux was finished with his shift, and just about to go home when the shooting started.
"When you hear the term 'active shooter' it kind of gets you in a real heightened state of awareness," said Lemieux.
Lemieux said he raced to Pulse and found out a younger officer he supervises was already at the scene.
"I heard one of my guys come over shortly after and talk about that he was actually inside the club. Kind of made me buckle a little bit," Lemieux said.
Lemieux described looking past the blood and the pain to notice the prayer circle that had taken shape on the next corner.
He pulled out his phone and typed this email to his pastor: "Now, more than ever, we need God. Please pray for all of those involved."
"’Please pray.’ And, so I did," Hunter said.
"For me, that's how I handle things. That's how I try to keep myself grounded," said Hunter.
Lemieux brought the other officer from his department to church on Monday.
"Brandon (Cornwell) dragged person after person out of that club. Thank you for your service," Hunter said.
"As soon as I got the words out of my mouth, the congregation was up clapping, just glad that they were there," said Hunter.
Lemieux asks that the love Orlando has seen since Sunday be carried forward and grown into something even bigger.
"I know that in the end, God will never give you more than you can handle," said Lemieux.
Belle Isle Officers Brandon Cornwell and Jon-Paul Gargano were also at the scene that night.
They will be honored by the city later this week.
Cox Media Group
