We expect police officers to be resilient, hardened and fearless.

We ask them to be first on the scene of the worst acts of humankind, to witness the sad and tragic and to be a shield between us and killers and crime.

Then we expect them to march through it all with stoic reserve — strong, silent and unflinching. Sometimes even the bravest and toughest can be overcome.

This happened to one of the best — Aurora Police officer Dave Hutchings, 45, who died by his own hand on Dec. 4 — a tragic end to a remarkable life.