Assistant Police Chief: Thank You, St. Pete

SPC Brittany Gordon, daughter of Assistant Police Chief Cedric Gordon and Brenda Gordon, , from wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked her unit with an improvised explosive device. 

Thursday, her father released a letter thanking the community for its support during this tragic time. Read the full letter below. 

On Saturday, October 13, 2012, our daughter, Army Spec. Brittany Bria Gordon, of the 572nd Military Intelligence Company, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, tragically lost her life in Kandahar, Afghanistan, while doing what she loved - protecting and serving her country. As a soldier, Brittany understood and accepted the moral obligation to serve a cause greater than her own self-interest.

This was an overwhelming, devastating loss that brought great sorrow to me, my family and many of you. In spite of this difficult and trying time, my faith continues to be renewed and inspired by the overwhelming and loving outpouring of support from the people in this great community, state and nation.

I had a monumental task and moral obligation to memorialize Brittany in a way that would be deserving of her act of heroism and bravery. This could not have been accomplished without the support of all of you. As a community, we united in a common cause to achieve this goal. Thanks to you, by all accounts, we exceeded our goal and met our responsibility to Brittany.

Again, this could not have been accomplished without you. 

My family and I are eternally grateful. Your overwhelming acts of kindness came, and continue to come, in all forms for Brittany and my family contributions, countless cards, letters, poems, emails, text messages, phone calls, children's drawings, candles, flowers, food, well wishes, prayers, and acts of service by those just pitching in to help - just to name a few.

I would like to thank all the law enforcement agencies and military personnel who supported our family at the services for our daughter Brittany. The entire nation has given, and continues to demonstrate, tremendous love and support to our family.

Please continue to remember the legacy of Brittany by being a beacon of everlasting hope and peace. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. We must never forget the significance of her sacrifice and remember that all of our destiny is intertwined as we, the nation, continue to come together on a higher plane of dignity, peace, trust, respect and love.

As we celebrate this Veterans Day, let us never forget these brave men and women who are the best and brightest that this world has to offer, and always give them the support and love that they have earned and deserve.

As my daughter Brittany would say to me, "Dad, make it do what it do, and get 'er done!"

Thank you,

Cedric F. Gordon

Assistant Chief of Police

St. Petersburg, Florida