Thursday, October 1, 2026
I can recall when a prominent politician was criticized for writing a book titled “It Takes A Village.” The counter-argument at the time was that it “takes a family.”
My siblings and members of the extended Sullivan/Ledwith family often joke that our family is the size of a village, but a recent tragedy in our lives made it clear to us just how enormous our community is.
Sean Ledwith, a veteran Marine sergeant and Nassau County Bureau of Special Operations officer, is my brother-in-law and one of my best friends. The tragedy was his untimely passing and the loss we are all still living with. The number of friends, colleagues, acquaintances and strangers alike who have shown and shared their love for Sean is astounding. The enormous generosity they showed my sister and their children has been heartfelt and healing. Whether it was the person who dropped off a tray of cookies at their door or the presence of so many members of our law enforcement community, the support has been felt far beyond the boundaries of our village and the confines of our family.
I often boast about all the collective good shared so deeply in our village, but it has been through Sean that I have seen how caring our larger community is. We often hear “Back the Blue,” but I now have a full understanding of how the men and women in law enforcement back one another. I have a greater understanding of why it is so important to support them.
In a previous column, I wrote about how we don’t forget our veterans, but the example they set for respecting, remembering and supporting one another is unparalleled. While I have always tried my best to lend my support to them, I have a renewed charge for trying harder and caring more. Sean’s sacrifices for our country, as well as those borne by other men and women who serve in our military, deserve so much more. The physical, emotional, educational, financial and other support services we have for them are simply not enough. They battle for us, and now it’s time we fought for them.
Have you ever heard the term “battleground believers”? In its simplicity, it refers to a constant awareness and the fight to maintain a good soul. Sean had one of the kindest souls I’ve ever seen. His devotion to God and adoration of Saint Michael, a warrior who transcends multiple religions, reminds me that there is a greater good to live by. I know that in the thick of our complicated lives, religion can often be overlooked, but it has been our faith, and our belief in one another, that has carried us through this. We are truly blessed to be in the company of so many caring religious leaders, and it is so important to keep religion relevant in our daily lives.
Our lives can easily be consumed by our work, which by all means is important. But actively participating in the lives of our children is lasting. Sean loved spending time with his children, especially at the beach and on any sports field. Recently speaking about his passing, I was reminded of a teaching that I had forgotten. It’s how every child spells love: time. We can never get it back, and our children will never forget the time we spend with and dedicate to them.
The collective time, dedication, contributions, condolences, conversations, prayers, phone calls, texts, offers, introductions, acts of kindness, regardless of how big or small, have all been greatly appreciated. Thank you for reminding me of how to live life a bit better. Thank you for being a wonderful community.
And thank you, Sean, for bringing us all together, as sorrowful as we are and as deeply missed as you will always be. Rest in peace, my friend — my brother.
Tim Sullivan is the mayor of Malverne.
