You probably heard a month or so ago, a first-day-on-the-job police officer was killed in Virginia when she responded to a domestic call. In response to this tragedy, you have to ask, “Where is the outrage, the rioting??” Just last year, over 45 law enforcement officers (LEOs) were directly killed by criminals, and several others died from accidents and falls in course of pursuing criminals (see Officer Down Memorial page). Why do we not riot in the streets when a cop is killed? If you asked someone on my university campus he might say, “It's their (LEOs)
job," or "It was a risk they took when they accepted that job," or worse, "They deserved it!"
But what about the those who murder and wound LEOs? Is it not their “job” to be responsible citizens? To follow the laws and respect other citizens? Some jump to their defense saying that hard times call for des- perate measures and blame the “society” for not “allowing” them to succeed, thus leaving crime their only option. How can this be an only option? How can you claim innocence for so many criminals but not for the few whose lives are jeopardized daily, not because they are a certain race but because they are the “thin blue line” between us and predators that would victimize us. One can claim being a particular race is the reason one’s chances of getting killed are higher. Arguably, that is confusing correlation with causation and is a discussion worth having, but we know that one thing that really increases one’s level of danger is choosing a profession that literally seeks out trouble in order to stop it.
There will be no violent protests or rioting for police officers murdered and maimed in the line of duty, only quiet support and grieving friends, widows, widowers, parents and children who prayed for their loved ones’ safety. We cannot end violence but we can support the our law enforcement officers. We can show them we know their lives matter, too, and that we stand by them. Tell a LEO that you appreciate him/her at your next opportunity.
Emily Stack
But what about the those who murder and wound LEOs? Is it not their “job” to be responsible citizens? To follow the laws and respect other citizens? Some jump to their defense saying that hard times call for des- perate measures and blame the “society” for not “allowing” them to succeed, thus leaving crime their only option. How can this be an only option? How can you claim innocence for so many criminals but not for the few whose lives are jeopardized daily, not because they are a certain race but because they are the “thin blue line” between us and predators that would victimize us. One can claim being a particular race is the reason one’s chances of getting killed are higher. Arguably, that is confusing correlation with causation and is a discussion worth having, but we know that one thing that really increases one’s level of danger is choosing a profession that literally seeks out trouble in order to stop it.
There will be no violent protests or rioting for police officers murdered and maimed in the line of duty, only quiet support and grieving friends, widows, widowers, parents and children who prayed for their loved ones’ safety. We cannot end violence but we can support the our law enforcement officers. We can show them we know their lives matter, too, and that we stand by them. Tell a LEO that you appreciate him/her at your next opportunity.
Emily Stack