Think about the men and women in uniform who sacrifice for us every day
- Often working day and night sometimes for long shifts
- Working dangerous duty, never knowing if the next civilian they encounter or car stopped is the one that will take their life
- Whose one act of kindness or letting their guard down could end their life
- Never knowing if that next group mission or raid will be their last
- Whose families wait anxiously for them every day, always wondering if they’ll make it back home
- Who get paid low wages for their immense sacrifice and duty, but do so to protect our system of justice with a sense of honor and duty to their fellow citizens
- Who are often faced with the horrors of mans’ inhumanity to man on a daily basis, beating down their morale and belief in others
- Who often face hostility and resentment from the people they try to help because of a few bad apples in their ranks
I could be referring to our military, but I’m not. I’m referring to the men and women in our own country who work in law enforcement. People who deal with many of the same issues and dangers and those in combat—for their entire police careers.
Nearly every day we hear of an officer killed in the line of duty, leaving a grieving spouse and children. The result is less officers on the street, less new recruits and a more dangerous world for all of us.
I think of how dangerous it can be for them, and how stressful their work must be. How often the public sees them as merely a uniform to be there when help is needed, giving little thought or respect to the people behind the uniform. The next time you see a police officer, thank him or her for their dedication and willingness to risk their lives every day for us.
Elizabeth Ochoa