We toss the word “hero” around a bit too cavalierly in this era … using the term to describe pro athletes whose only “heroism” is doing what they are paid handsomely to do, which is run fast, throw hard and otherwise perform up to what is expected of them.

Let’s save the term for the real deal, shall we? Such as the fellow who followed the 16-year-old lunatic into the Bend, Ore., elementary school and then killed him in a firefight. The killer murdered three children, ages 5, 8 and 11, and a teacher. Four lives lost at the hands of a moron who seemingly aimed his rifle at the kids and then killed them.

I get that this idiot was a teenager. His brain wasn’t quite finished developing, or so psychologists will tell us. But what kind of animal would seek to harm children in this manner. The world is a bit safer now that he’s been removed from the population.

As for the hero, I will salute him with all the emphasis I can muster. He clearly knew how to handle the weapon he carried into the school. Bend police report that he “engaged” the shooter the moment he saw him inside. Well done, sir.

As a personal note, I want to share with you this item. My wife and I began our married life together when he honeymooned in Bend back in September 1971. It was a four-hour drive over the Cascade Range from Portland to our resort hotel. It was brand new then, and Bend was a whole lot smaller than it is now. But I have grown to know the city well as I have watched it grow to around 100,000 residents. Their hearts are broken … and so is mine.