On Monday, May 23, the community of Battle Ground suffered a horrific tragedy: Jose “Pepe” Castillo Cisneros, 3, lost his life at the hands of an adult who should have been willing to do anything, including laying down his own life, to protect little Pepe.
Our hearts ache for Yadira Cisneros, Pepe’s mother, and Pepe’s 9-year-old sister who, at the direction of her mother and mustering tremendous courage, called 911 for help as her mother fought to protect Pepe. We grieve with family, friends and neighbors of little Pepe.
The effects of such a tragedy are not confined to just a few individuals. Members of our school community mourn Pepe’s loss and the impact of this event on his sister, who is their student and classmate. Our community’s guardians – law enforcement officers, fire and life safety professionals, CRESA dispatchers, and our local chaplaincy – are weighed down with grief, and remain haunted by the experience.
I am proud of the response of our community to this tragedy: family, friends and neighbors are pulling together to support Ms. Cisneros and her children, generously contributing of their time and means to serve this family. I couldn’t be prouder of our law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, CRESA personnel and chaplains for their strength, compassion and professionalism. I appreciate them and their families and have complete confidence in them. Our community is certainly in good hands.
As a community, my hope is that we will continue to pull together as we address this tragedy and make efforts to heal resulting wounds, seen and unseen. May we choose to adhere to our better selves – showing compassion, withholding undue judgement, offering kindness in word and action. Let us hold our children a little closer, and offer an ear to those needing to talk and a shoulder for those needing consolation.
Jeff Swanson is the city manager of Battle Ground.
