The symbols, myths and relationships that operate to permit cops to face life-threatening danger repetitively align with the several modes of symbolic immortality because they center around the human “sense of immortality.” The human “sense of immortality” reflects a man’s inner quest or meaning “for a continuing symbolic relationship between the self and that which existed before will continue to exist beyond the biological death of the individual. (Henry, 2004)

The passing along of symbols, myths and relationships creates a symbolic immortality, as these properties are passed along through generation or through religious works. An example of the biological mode of symbolic immortality relating to the symbols and relationships that operate to permit cops to face danger is the officer’s shield. Although property of the NYPD, it is formal status and one’s rank of the officer, taking on a special significance that determines one’s identity within the agency and the culture. “Many officers request that the shield worn by a father, uncle, or other family member be issued to them, and it is not uncommon for a shield to remain within a single family for several generations.” (Henry, 2004)

The symbol of the “badge” or shield aligns with the Biological mode of symbolic immortality as the mode involves the sense of living on or passing along the soul into one’s sons or daughters, ultimately establishing an unbreakable bond and that stretches from the past to the future. This also touches upon a sense of belonging or a basis for establishing strong “bonds and affinities within subculture.” (Henry, 2004) In essence, the request for the shield to be worn by a member of the family is the human “sense of immortality”, as the soul is passed along with that shield.

Another example of a mode of symbolic immortality relating to the myths and relationships that permit officers to face danger is the creative works mode in relation to Eddie Byrne. A 22-year-old rookie, during his midnight tour was deliberately and cold-bloodedly assassinated as a way for a recently jailed drug dealer to express his hatred for the justice system and for the collection of a bounty. “As a part of his own survivor mission, Byrne’s father became politically active on behalf of stronger drug laws and presented George Bush with a copy of his son’s shield.” (Henry, 2004)

Eddie Byrne’s case is an example of the relative works mode as it involves the idea that we live on or constantly remember because “we have had a profound or meaningful influence upon the lives or thoughts of others or made a difference in the world.” (Henry, 2004) Eddie Byrne’s unfortunate death became a reflection or symbol of the agency and the political establishment surrounding their own goals and objectives. “Byrne’s name continues to evoke emotion-laden memories or associations even among officer who did not know him personally; learning lessons of his death through cautionary tales related to rookies by veterans.” (Henry, 2004)

The modes of symbolic immortality permit cops to repeatedly put their lives at risk because through symbolic immortality, an officer can have a “sense of immortality”, as symbols, relationships and myths are passed down or honored for years or decades to come. These symbols, myths and relationships are crucial to an officer’s identity and sense of immortality as through these symbols and myths, officers are remembering by, establishing a sense of immortality within one’s self.

References

Henry, V. E. (2004). Death work: Police, trauma, and the psychology of survival. Oxford University Press.