Who Guards the Guardians?

It's just plain difficult to think of a day more bruising. I've lived quite a long time, and there are few days that have used me up and spit me out like this one!
We have had, at my workplace, a loss that has broken hearts. A young man just 30 years of age. A young man who should have had many years yet ahead of him.
Instead, we had his funeral today.
We left work at about 10 and drove to the funeral parlor.
Fire trucks lined the street. Police cars and fire vehicles blocked traffic.
Uniforms were standing about whereever one looked.
This beautiful young man had been a volunteer fireman, and a police officer for 8 years.
He had touched so many lives.
So many loved him.
So many left with questions.
So many left with broken hearts.
His mother was a pillar of strength it is hard to explain. As a row of young friends stood at the casket saying their last goodbyes, she stood near them - waiting.
And as each one turned to walk away, she quietly embraced them, said a personal word in their ears, made them smile and left them with a bit of her strength. I don't know where she got it to give.
When the viewing was completed, he was carried past rows and rows of uniforms, all standing at attention. His casket bore the banner of his department. It also bore the tears of so many.
His young wife of just a few years looked as if she would simply melt away into a small spot where her tears had fallen. Fragile, broken, she only made the walk to the car with the assistance of others. Her parents, touching, holding, bearing her up as I am sure they did when she was a baby. She seems even more needing of them today.
His Mass of Christian Burial is concelebrated by at least seven - SEVEN! - priests - all of whom knew him and his family.
His little brother spoke of his big brother, his guardian, his defender. He asked, "who guards the guardians?" And concluded, "no one - for they are the guardians."
The church could not have held another person. I cannot even guess how many were in attendance.
This child...this golden child....this man who had such dear friends, so many who loved him.
It was truly one of the hardest days I've lived.
And yet, I was blessed to have known him.
God bless you, my boy, perhaps your job was completed...and perhaps your brothers and sisters will be in need of your continued guardianship. And that you will give it, I have no doubt.