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Written by Tim Gobble, Sheriff
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Friday, 22 May 2009 |
This past week, the entire country took time to acknowledge National Peace Officers Memorial Day. This is a day set aside to officially recognize and pay tribute to the men and women of law enforcement who have fallen in the line of duty.
And thank God we have those who are willing to serve and make a difference. The scriptures tell us two things about those who serve like this:
First, in Romans 13, God Himself recognized the necessity and importance of such service and instructed us to pay tribute to those engaged in the public service for they are God’s ministers ordained by Him to do good works against evil.
And second, in Matthew 5:9, Christ said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”
You can see why our God in Heaven would give such instruction; for, without those willing to serve and put on the badge, who else would there be to do those things mentioned in the law enforcement code of ethics? To protect and serve? To protect the innocent against deception, to protect the weak against oppression and intimidation? To protect the peaceful from violence, to restore order from chaos, and to uphold the rights of all to liberty, equality and justice?
The bottom line is, without those willing to serve, and at times put their very lives on the line for others, our community would be a much different and darker place. And while no law enforcement officer is perfect and no living law enforcement officer considers themselves a hero, it has been said that out of adversity heroes are born. Heroes have, in just recent days across our nation, pulled people from burning wrecks, found lost children, protected battered and abused women, saved lives with CPR, recovered bodies for loved ones, removed drug dealers and child molesters from the streets, stopped drunk drivers, kept drugs out of the hands of youth, prevented shootings and rescued hostages.
And without a doubt, those whose names appear on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC are in every sense of the word heroes to their communities and those they served.
The scriptures also say, “Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for a friend.” Truly, each of the 49 officers who have fallen since the beginning of this year, and all those before them, were friends to their communities
Whether they wore a shield representing strength and courage or a star representing goodness, bravery and light, to make the ultimate sacrifice so others may live better lives makes them worthy of hero status and our full respect and admiration.
Behind every name listed on the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, there was a real flesh and blood person who loved and was loved ~ a mother, a father, a son, a daughter, a wife, a husband ... ordinary in their physical being, yet extraordinary in their actions, sense of duty and love.
Let each of us resolve to remember their sacrifice and support those who continue to serve and make our community a better place. May God bless and protect all the men and women who wear the badge.
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