A Note of Thanks on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

According to the National Day Calendar, today is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. A day set aside each year to encourage citizens to show support of our men and women in blue.

I've always had respect for police officers because I was taught to from a young age. I also had family members that were policemen.

My grandfather, my mother's father, was a police officer in my hometown for many years. He passed away a couple of years before I was born, but I heard many stories growing up of how he helped many people. Even strangers that found out I was his grandson, would tell me stories of how he helped them. His son, my Uncle Billy, was also a police officer in my hometown.

I was seriously thinking about becoming a policeman myself right after I graduated high school. Even after I got a part-time job in radio, I was still toying with the idea of going to school for criminal justice and becoming state trooper. Obviously, that never happened.

Law enforcement is a very dangerous job. These brave men and women answer the call to public service and everyday, and risk their lives to save the people of their community.  A lot of times, police do not get the respect they deserve.

The people that break the laws are usually the ones that disrespect the police. I get it, if a cop pulls you over for speeding and writes you a ticket, I would be upset too. But, if I was really speeding, I would understand, eventually, it was my own fault and I deserved the ticket.

Whenever I hear somebody disrespecting the men and women behind the badge, I think to myself, if you were in danger and needed help, who would you call?

Every day, these people leave their homes and families and are willing to risk their life to protect you and me. So please, join me in thanking the men and women of law enforcement for keeping us safe each and every day.

[via National Day Calendar]