Everyone wants to be remembered. No one wants to be forgotten. Every November, especially when the 22nd day rolls around, we remember the death of President John F. Kennedy. Eventually our thoughts turn to his assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald. Those who remember that day might also think of Oswald's killer, Jack Ruby. But hardly anyone remembers that a fourth man was killed that dark day in Dallas.

Officer J. D. Tippit had been on the Dallas police force since 1952. He was also holding down two part-time jobs to support his wife and three children. On Nov. 22 he was in his squad car patrolling his beat in South Oak Cliff when a call came from headquarters over his radio to be on the lookout for a certain man. Driving down E. 10th Street about 1 PM, 15 minutes after the assassination, he spotted a man who matched the description. Officer Tippit pulled his car over to the curb to talk to the man, who turned out to be Oswald. At least 12 people watched in horror as Oswald shot Tippit three times in the chest and then coldly fired a fourth bullet into his head. Officer Tippit was laid to rest Nov. 25 in Laurel Land Memorial Park. His marker simply reads, "Devoted husband and father."

Every life matters. Every death matters too.  You may die on a day some celebrity or notorious soul dies and the world will never know that you lived or died. No matter. Our God in heaven, the One who created you, sees, knows, and cares. Even the penitent thief who hung on the cross cried out to Christ, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom." How heartwarming are the words of our loving Lord, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:42,43 NKJV).