TESTIMONIES
by Officer Abel Dominguez
Long Beach Police Department
When I became a Police Officer at age 25, I thought I was going to make this world a better place to live in. I guess most young officers believe that. However, when I hit the streets my eyes were opened wide with disbelief. I saw things I never imagined I would see. Countless homicides, abused children, and death was everywhere I turned. I was not ready for the unbelievable things that people can do to each other.
During the first 5 years of my career my faith in God slowly wavered. Then, one Sunday in mid July of 1993 my family and I began attending a new church. I was sitting there listening to Pastor Larry's message and I felt the Holy Spirit convicting me saying, "Abel, I want you back, why have you left Me?" I began reflecting on the path my life had taken and realized that I had left Christ because I was not living my life to His standards -- I wasn't even close. When Pastor Larry finished his message, he gave an altar call. First, to those who wanted to accept Jesus Christ into their lives as their personal Savior and Lord, and then to those who wanted to rededicate their life to Christ. About this time our youngest daughter, Alex, was becoming fussy and my wife Cindy stepped outside with her. I was hesitant to raise my hand and stand up, but the Holy Spirit kept tugging at my heart until I could no longer refuse and I stood up. Pastor Larry then asked us to walk forward to the front of the congregation. I still felt hesitant, but with God's help, I walked forward and made my public stand as I recommitted my life to Jesus Christ. I never shared my recommitment with my wife Cindy. I guess I still had some hidden hesitations.
Two weeks later, August 6, 1993, I made a routine traffic stop. I placed the driver in the back seat of my patrol car due to the fact that I was in a heavily infested gang area. I used my computer and checked the driver for warrants. He came back with a couple of minor traffic warrants and a suspended driver's license. He was cooperative, so after talking to him I decided to give him a break and just write a ticket. Besides, it was late in my shift and I hadn't had lunch! I was using my computer to cancel the tow truck when something caught my eye. As I looked to my right, I saw a bright flash ..... [I am not able to recall the events, however, this is what happened according to witnesses]. Two gang members used a military crawl and approached the patrol vehicle with the intent to rescue their fellow gang member out of the back seat. Upon arriving at the vehicle one of the suspects opened fire, striking me twice in the head and once in the arm. My vehicle began to move, and ended up crashing into a wall. The dispatch center had received only one call from the citizens in the area to report that I needed help. When help arrived, I was rushed to Memorial Hospital and immediately underwent surgery.
My next recollection was a feeling of having something up my nose and my only purpose in life at that moment was to take it out. After what seemed to be an eternity, I got it out! It turned out to be my oxygen tube ... I had been in a coma for six days. When I had fully awoke, I realized the seriousness of my condition. I was devastated. My first reaction was to blame God, but then I caught myself -- God didn't do this to me, a man did; and I cried like I had never cried before. What was once a physically active body, was reduced to a dependent heap of flab. My beautiful wife, Cindy, tried to reassure me that I was still her husband and father to our three children, and no less a man than I had ever been before. It took some time, but she finally brought me back to my senses.
During my long and arduous three months of rehabilitation, I learned what true friends were all about. I knew that my Lord Jesus Christ had not abandoned me. One friend that comes to mind is Tresa Olivarez; she is truly a blessing. One day, she showed up with a big burrito from my favorite fast food place. The gesture was appreciated, but at that time I could barely swallow jello, let alone a burrito. One would think she would have known better since she used to be a nurse! My family stood beside me also, and I thank my parents and my sisters because they were there for me 100% of the time.
As I write this and think about my children, tears well up in my eyes. I feel I've somehow let them down, that I am not the father I want to be. Little Abel is 6 and Alexandra is 4. I cannot pick them up and hug them when they hurt themselves. I cannot take them to the movies anymore since my loss of vision prevents me from driving. My oldest son, Phillip, is 13, and he seems to understand the changes more than the younger ones, but I still miss doing Judo with him and playing ball. It is hard to do father and son activities anymore. I've noticed that I become more angry with my children over the smallest things and I hate myself for that. I've gotten better with this in the past few months and that is only because I have become more committed in my relationship to Jesus Christ.
At times I feel like giving up. When I feel like this, I remind myself of what God says in Romans 8:28 - "All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" - and I know God has a purpose for me. I know that this shooting was all a part of God's plan and it has made me start doing the Lord's work with more passion than ever before. This has been a very enlightening journey. As for now, my deepest desire is to serve the Lord. My advice to you, my fellow Officers and Christian's, is to serve the Lord with an obedient heart. The Lord gave me a wake up call that I could not ignore. I still get very emotional and I have cried many times while writing this article, but I know that I will not be in this condition forever. One day I will be in heaven running with my Lord. Keep the faith, the Lord does miracles and I am living proof. I was DOA at the hospital, but the great Healer and Physician was with me as He is with all of us. May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Your brother in Christ,
Officer Abel Dominguez
P.S. I advised my wife of my recommitment to Christ when I was finally out of my coma. She greeted our friend Tresa at the hospital by saying, "We are Christian's you know, and Abel is going to be fine." Her faith never wavered. |
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For more information,
call (951) 687-6902
Attention Juanita
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