Did you know that this…week [Sunday, May 10, through Saturday, May 16, 2015, is] National Police Week, to remember those killed in the line of duty and to honor those who continue to keep us safe every day? You may have known that, and I appreciate that you do! If not, it is because most Police Officers don’t protect us for the pomp and circumstance, but because they are “just doing their job.”
I want to thank my husband, Chief Brian Melton, the Morrison Police Department, and ALL of the officers I have the pleasure of knowing, through Brian or because of my career. They have one of the most thankless jobs and tolerate more in a day than we will ever know. They are criticized for doing their job and criticized for not doing their job. They deal with everything from people complaining about parking tickets, to investigating child sexual assault (all in the same day, by the way.)
They have to have a skill set and a mindset that few of us can comprehend. Over the years being married to Brian, I have heard horrific stories in detail that no one should have to respond to in such small communities–where we think things like that don’t happen.
I see so much negativity around Police. Some is deserved, but those “bad cops” do not represent even a fraction of officers, and none that I know!
So, thank you to those public servants who help to make our community safe, quiet, and family-friendly, where I can freely let my son ride his bike to his friend’s house; go for a walk in the City after dark; allow my daughter to hang out with her friends at Happy Joe’s; run into Co-Z Corner with my car running in the winter; any other freedoms that we may take for granted.
Honor those mothers/fathers, husbands/wives, children, aunt/uncles, siblings, and friends that put on that uniform and badge, and commit to serving and protecting my family and yours.
We also need to support and honor those who protect our streets every day, by
- teaching our children that Police are here to help them, and [to not[ be fearful of them
- providing adequate funding for law enforcement to do their job safely and to keep up with the ever-changing world of crime
- refraining from criticism of a career that you think you could do better, but have no idea of the patience and compassion it takes
- thanking an officer for the positive impact they have on our community, schools, and neighborhoods.
It is immeasurable!
Carrie Melton