Recently I missed the National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (January 9). Today, I want to add my voice to all those who honored law enforcement on that day. As a brother-in-law, a pastor, a friend, and a neighbor, I state unequivocally my support for the men and women who don the shield every day across this nation. Your sacrifice and selfless service does not go unnoticed.
You are our local heroes.
The Danger
Physical
You risk your lives every day for the betterment of others. Very few of us live in a capacity where we take personal risk every time we put on our uniform. When most of us go to work, our families do not have to wonder if in the line of duty this will be the last day we see you. During the day when our phones ring or the doorbell rings, our families do not fear if today was the day. As news headlines crash the airwaves, most of us do not gasp or pick up our phones to shoot a text to make sure all is alright.
But your families sometimes do because you choose to risk your life every day protecting our lives.
In the past two years, almost one law enforcement officer per week died from firearm-related injuries, several from ambush.
In the past two years, almost one law enforcement officer per week died from traffic-related injuries, the most recent in Lubbock, Texas this past weekend.
These figures only include fatalities, they do not include all those who are injured as they do their sacrificial duty to serve each of us.
Spiritual/Mental/Emotional
The toll on your own spiritual, mental, and emotional well-being can be great. At times, you see the best people have to offer. However, any honest person knows that the nature of your work means that you rub shoulders with the worst people have to offer. From domestic related calls to burglary alarms, you respond. When someone crashes a vehicle to normal traffic violations, you respond. From death notices to dog bites, you respond. Over and over and over you respond to the needs of people.
It is impossible to divorce your mind from your work. You see and hear things. You experience things. Along the way, all the words, images, and situations find a landing place deep in your souls and become part of you. As a general public, we do not claim to understand the pressures, the fears, and the temptations you face. Most of you never complain, you just do your job.
Respect and Appreciation
Thank you! We respect, appreciate, and honor you.
Yes, we honor you as a neighbor and as part of our community. Our voices, which at times are quiet as we go about our day-to-day activities, outnumber those who would malign, criticize, or insult you. The big eyes of our boys and girls watch you and often want to be like you. We teach our children to trust you, respect your authority, and to immediately obey you. We mean it when we shake your hand and say, “Thank You!” When we wave, we want you to know our appreciation. As we pull off the road when we see you coming or pull to another lane to pass you, it is because we want your safety too.
As a follower of Jesus Christ, we recognize that God calls on us to respect you and your authority. God grants you an important role that serves us as one of His tools of protection and grace (Rom 13:1-7; 1 Pet 2:13-17). In many ways, you are the hands, feet, and voice of God’s grace to us and for us. We thank you.
We recognize the public you serve all have their own ideas of you doing your job. Further, we acknowledge you make split-second decisions that will not always be perfect. Just like every one of us, we know you have good days and bad days, unbeknownst pressures to others, and unspoken burdens. You certainly are no worse than we would be in the same job, and, in reality, perform much better than almost all of us. You are human and we understand that!
It is hard to imagine how any of you are not jaded from all that you see and experience. Thank you for not throwing all of us into the same categories. For the many times you show mercy when you can side with the letter of the law, we appreciate it. For the many times you show restraint, again, thank you. Your smile, words of kindness, and presence means so much to us.
How Can You Pray for the Men and Women in Blue?
As fellow-citizens of our community and fellow-citizens with the saints, we should and must regularly pray for those in blue. Here is a short list of ideas for your prayer:
- Begin with gratitude for the sacrifice, hard work, and valor
- Safety – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual
- Families of law enforcement – for their protection, fear, and gratitude for their personal sacrifice as well
- Wisdom, discernment, and insight
- Health
- Strength of character
- Physical, mental, and emotional strength
- Faithfulness, integrity, and courage
To each of you, thank you!
I personally want to thank a couple of buddies from high school who work tirelessly in the Metro Police Department in Louisville, my brother-in-law in Lubbock, a police detective in Sulphur Springs, and so many law enforcement friends in Ozark, Christian County, Springfield, Greene County, and those in the MO Highway Patrol.
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
Survivor is how I am referred since losing my husband in the line of duty 20 years ago. I appreciate your clarity in which you understand the role of being a member of the police force and it’s challenges. Every emotion you mentioned I have felt. Your article made me go back. After losing him it was a challenge to enter into “society” again as not living in the shadows of dread was so much easier. Knowing God and relying on His strength the dread isn’t so prevalent but something I fight sometimes after marring again. Thank you for honoring this challenging profession. I never thought I would see the day when police officers are spit on, yelled at with profanity, ridiculed and mocked by the public as well as some of our legislators. There is a police family just a few houses down from me and I am constantly asking God how I can show them honor. I know it is hard to do but there are opportunities to just give them a pie from the local pie shop with a thoughtful note. Just something to let them know there are people out there who pray for them on a continual basis. Also, in the world of the police profession one can put a blue ribbon on your front door or car antenna and it is a reminder of people who support them. Again, thank you for your amazing article and the work you put into your blog. Btw both my girls went to BBC and you were their favorite professor!
How kind. Thank you for your thoughtful words. And I’m very humbled I was their favorite. That’s more than I deserve, that’s for sure.