A smiling portrait of a young black man shines out from its position on the top of the Atherton steps; as it rests on an easel next to a speaker’s podium under a dark gray sky threatening rain at any moment.

One year ago, a dark cloud gathered over Butler University, and that same man in the portrait shone just as bright when he came to the rescue of his community. On Sept. 24, 2004, Butler lost a hero and gained a guardian angel.

Butler University honored fallen Officer James L. Davis and paid its respects to the Davis family on Friday, Sept. 23 outside of the Reilly Room on the Atherton Union south steps at 3 p.m. According to the university, this was an opportunity for the Butler community to remember Officer Davis and pay tribute to the ultimate sacrifice that he made for all of us on that September morning.

A crowd slowly grew before the ceremony started and eventually filled the front half of the lawn at the base of the Atherton steps. Dark clouds threatened to rain on the ceremony, and a strong breeze blew through the American and Indiana state flags on either side of the speaker’s podium.

The breeze subsided as Alexandria Crumble stepped up to the podium and opened the ceremony with a song. The song prayed for unity: the unity that has been needed over the past year after a family lost a husband, father and brother, and a university lost a member.

Levester Johnson, Butler’s vice president of student affairs, then stepped up to the podium and thanked Crumble for singing. Johnson acknowledged the need for unity after Officer Davis’ death and gave a brief description of his life.

“By laying down his life for us [the Butler community], he became our brother,” Johnson said.

Johnson continued by saying that, over the past year, Officer Davis’ loss has taught us who we are, and who and what are important to us.

David Selby, BUPD chief, addressed the crowd after Johnson. He spoke about the past year for the BUPD. Selby said that, by being there for Officer Davis’ family, BUPD has been able to keep going despite the loss of a fellow officer.

Warren Morgan, SGA president, followed Selby to the podium. Officer Davis’ life serves as a great example to all of us in his dedication to his community, Morgan said. He then presented Davis’ wife, sister and three children with gifts from the university (Davis’ wife was unable to attend the ceremony; his sister accepted the gift on her behalf).

Johnson returned to the podium and thanked the crowd for coming, remembering and honoring Officer James L. Davis. He then invited everyone to enjoy the provided refreshments and reminisce over the life of Officer Davis after the ceremony’s conclusion.

The ceremony ended with another song from Crumble. The wind started to blow again, and a gentle breeze danced through the flags, bringing them back to life as Crumble sang, “we shall behold him in all his glory.”

For the entire length of the 15 minute ceremony, the rain from the dark clouds never fell on the crowd. The Butler community was rescued again.