Thousands of people spent this past weekend marching for justice from lethal force at the hands of police officers. Some even called it a “history-making moment.” Others chose the occasion to attack two New York City officers of the peace so that they required medical attention.
Where is the outrage, I wonder, at the 27 peace officers feloniously killed in 2013 trying to keep our streets safe? Or the 41 killed in the line of duty in 2008? Or the many killed in any given year? Can even a single weekend protester tell you the name of just one of those fallen officers? Can any of us?
On The Herald’s Sunday opinion page, it was written that the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund reports that an average of just over 51 American police officers have been feloniously killed per year in the last decade. Where are the Al Sharptons of the world with respect to that shocking statistic? Who mourns and marches for those brave men and women who gave their lives so that you and I can conduct our business and raise our children in relative safety and peace?
I respect the many heroes in uniform and plain clothes who through countless actions each day — the majority about which we never hear — protect and serve citizens all across this country (even the citizens who are suspicious of the police and in some cases, condemn them without thought.) Have you ever sat down and had a conversation with a police officer? Have you done a ride-along with one? Or do you assume, and teach your children, that they are bullies and killers to be feared?
We are a nation of law and order. Keeping the peace is honorable and can be dangerous. Do police officers ever make mistakes or overreact? Of course they do, but what evidence is there that the great majority of them are not reasonable people charged with not only upholding the law but enforcing it? Sometimes the headlines make me wonder who would want such a thankless job. Thank God for those who are willing.
Let’s pray — and care — for those on both sides of the issue.
Clint Kelly
Everett
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