Only One Son – In the Line of Duty

Officer David R. Payne (1961-1988) Lewiston (Maine) Police Department

My wife still reminds me that when I visited her after the birth of each of our five children, and brought her a gift, none could match the clock-radio I presented her upon the birth of our son – our only son. David was the middle child with two older and two younger sisters. From the time he was a child he demonstrated seemingly tireless intensity in the things he attempted. Fulfillment came twenty-four years later upon graduation from the Police Academy in Waterville, Maine.

A “P.K.” (Preacher’s Kid), David endeavored to please his dad and struggled with a vocation choice – thinking he might not please his dad if he didn’t become a pastor or missionary himself. If law enforcement was God’s will for his life, the encouragement from dad was for him to become the best police officer possible… and he was, but only for two years. Just a month before his twenty-seventh birthday, on a hot, humid Saturday afternoon, David’s life on earth came to abrupt close – ambushed and gunned down by someone he was trying to help.

With one hour to go on a double shift he was working for fellow officers, David again unselfishly demonstrated his tireless energy by responding to a reported accident call to assist two other officers in their reports and investigation. Officer David R. Payne fulfilled the purpose to which the Lord had called him, and was promoted on July 23, 1988. Over nine-hundred law enforcement officers, plus another thousand relatives, friends, and others heard a clear presentation of the Gospel during the memorial service. Truly, David was a missionary!

The tears of family and friends, including those of a young widow and two small children, cannot change what has transpired, but David did leave a legacy that is irreplaceable. Countless numbers have heard that God had only one Son also. The Lord Jesus Christ came to earth to die because of God’s love and because of our sin. Read carefully Romans chapter 5. Yes, God did so love the world that He sent His only begotten Son, so that whosoever would believe on Him would not perish, but would have everlasting life… John 3:16

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” – 1 John 3:16.

Only one son… his life given – so that others may live. God’s Only Son… His life given so that you may live eternally – 1 John 5:11-13. Do you know the “peace with God” Romans 5:1 speaks about?

“Dad” Payne
2 Timothy 1:12

Are you a someone who is unsure of where you will spend eternity? Would you like to be sure? You can be! But you must first acknowledge Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You must repent of your sin. “For there is not a just man upon the earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” (Ecclesiastes 7:20) Jesus Christ shed His blood on the cross so that your sins may be forgiven. “In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace;” (Ephesians 1:7) You must trust in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. Ask Jesus into your life now.  Pray this prayer:

“Dear Lord, I realize that I am a sinner. I have tried to live my life without You, but I no longer want to live that way. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins and that He rose again on the third day. I acknowledge that Jesus is the Only Way to eternal life. Lord, forgive me of my sins. Come into my life, change my heart, and make me into the person You want me to be. Amen”

Solamente Un Hijo;  Nur einen Sohn; Bare en sønn; нственный сын; Un Singur Fiu