These are the police officers that I know.
Here are the ones who recover an infant, dehydrated and starving, from an abandoned building that is sweltering sans electricity in the August heat. Here are the ones who transport the infant to the emergency room to receive the care not tendered by a neglectful mother.
Here is the one struck to the core by a heartbroken preteen who has just had her bag, including her iPod, stolen. Here is the one who took up an immediate collection among his fellow officers and before day’s end presented the girl with a brand new music player and accessories.
Here is the one who collects stuffed animals to give to children at the local domestic violence shelter. Here is the one who brings bags full of warm clothes to the homeless shelter. Here are the ones who participate in “shop with a cop” programs, giving underprivileged children the money and the opportunity to buy holiday gifts. Here are the ones who give their time (what is left of it after twelve hour shifts) to coaching youth sports.
Here are the ones who rescue all manner of injured, abused, and neglected animals. Here is the one who gently holds a bird with a broken wing, or a cat that has been shot with a BB gun, or a dog so starved it cannot stand on its own.
Here is the one who sits in a hospital waiting room, offering what consolation and comfort he can to the family of a young boy who has just drowned. Here is the one who holds the hands of a rape victim as she undergoes the traumatic, invasive tests. Here is the one who calms a distraught lost child, separated from his parents. Here is the one who is given the burdensome task of knocking on doors to inform people that their loved ones will return home no more.
Here are the ones who toss and turn night after night, restlessly reliving the atrocities they have seen. Here are the ones who cannot stop visualizing the aftermath of a horrific traffic accident. Here are the ones who have recurring dreams of the scene where a young female took her own life by shotgun. Here is the one who will never forget watching a fellow officer shot in the face and killed in the line of duty just days after Christmas. Here are the ones who stand vigil year after year in the fallen officer’s honor.
Here is the one who sits in the waiting room for hours so that his can be the last face his wife sees before, and the first face she sees after, undergoing surgery. Here are the ones who experience the joys of watching as their son hears for the first time with the aid of a cochlear implant. Here is the one walking his daughter down the aisle. Here is the one watching with pride as her son graduates from the academy, carrying on a family tradition. Here are the ones who look upon their sleeping children and wish that the world was a far less scary place.
Here are the ones who miss birthdays, sporting events, and school plays. Here are the ones who work on Thanksgiving…and Christmas…and Easter. Here are the ones who leave their families to protect yours.
These are the police officers that I know. They are the husbands and the wives, the fathers and the mothers, the sons and the daughters. They are the uncles and aunts, the nephews and nieces, the friends and neighbors. They are the guardians. They are the protectors. They are the ones who run toward while others run away.
These are the police officers that I know. Please take the time to get to know them so that they may be the police officers that you know.
Disclaimer: This post is not meant in any way to be a political statement. It is personal observation only. As always I encourage and welcome comments. Discussion is welcome and disagreement is acceptable. Please be respectful and thoughtful.
This almost made me cry, Karen. I am thankful for the sacrifices of the men and women in blue.
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Thank you, Sandi. This is a subject that is obviously close to my heart as it directly impacts my family.
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My grandfather was a cop and a father of seven who was shot by a thief robbing a convenience store. They are not given the credit they deserve. Their job is dangerous and scary, and I am grateful they are out there to protect us.
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Thank you for sharing your story. I think sometimes people need to remember that police officers are as human as the rest of us, and that we should recognize their sacrifices.
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This is beautiful. Unfortunately, police officers often get a bad rap. But, like you, the ones I have known have the gentlest heart. The heart so big they are willing to sacrifice so much. They have story after story of horrific events, and yet they keep at it. Thank you for sharing. This is so beautiful. ☺
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Thank you, Marla. I have had an overwhelming response from Facebook on this one, which tells me that a good percentage of people feel the same way. It has been heartwarming to say the least. 🙂
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I believe it! I have shared it on my blog page and personal Facebook page, because it is just so beautiful! 🙂 I would love for more people to see what you have written. Great post, Karen!
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Thank you for the shares. I didn’t realize you had a Facebook page for your blog- just liked it! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. 🙂
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I can’t imagine being willing to serve as a police officer. I am so grateful that so many are willing. Thanks for sharing.
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We’ve often said the same thing in our house about teachers. Two tough career choices to say the least!
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Or a nurse or social worker….
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This was a very moving and heartfelt tribute Karen. It paints a very good picture of the other side of policing that tends to get forgotten at times.
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Thank you. I felt compelled to write this one yesterday, and I am glad I did. 🙂
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Police work is indeed incredible. It’s a tough job, but an important one, and the sacrifices that our men and women go through to enforce the law and keep us safe are often forgotten.
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Yes, sadly it is too often only the negative that makes the news. Thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughts! 🙂
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Very well written. Thank you for shedding light on the good that we do!
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A timely and insightful post!
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Here, here! Very touching. Very reverent. You nearly made me cry too.
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Most police officers are human beings trying to do their best.
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Very beautiful. A few bad ones can dilute the perception of the whole lot, and most of them are so good.
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Thank you for taking the time to read! It was important to me to write this piece without any political angle, but rather based on my personal observations from seventeen years as a law enforcement wife. I felt compelled to share a reminder that there is a sea of good out there even though a tiny minority of bad generate all of the media attention. I love your blog name and title! Your piece on the grand jury decision is supremely well-written. I will enjoy exploring your blog and reading more. Best, Karen 🙂
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Amen sister!
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Chilling and heartwarming mixed together in this beautiful work of art. I’ve read it a few times now and I still get the same feeling. Your writing style is truly beautiful, I can’t get enough of it. Glad that I stumbled upon your blog on the community pool post.
-S.
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Such incredibly kind words- thank you! I’m glad you stopped by for a visit, and I appreciate the follow. Best, Karen 🙂
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Reblogged this on Endeavour.
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I am a sergeant’s wife, and I absolutely loved what you wrote! It’s a great point of pride of mine to be married to one of the truly good ones. I hate what’s happening. I’ve been trying to stay out of it, but it’s hard not to feel judged. I sympathize with anyone who’s had a loss, of course, but I know right down to the ground that the cops I know are good, kind, caring people, and it hurts to see them all painted with the same broad angry brush. Sending us both good luck and peace!
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It’s been a hard and heartbreaking twenty-four hours. I’m trying to stay positive, but I’m on shaky ground right now. I have always taken great pride in my husband’s profession, and I hate that now I’m being made to feel like I should be ashamed. This post is made wholly of things I have witnessed over 17 years as an LEO wife. Hopefully people will remember to look for the extreme good out there. I’m glad to hear a friendly voice today. I’m over having a read at your blog- I love the honesty, the matter-of-fact, and the concept of finding one beautiful thing each day. Today has been a struggle, but your visit and your blog are my OBT today. Best, Karen 🙂
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I’m so glad you’re liking my blog! I know what you meant about a friendly voice. I was glad to hear yours, too.
What’s LEO?
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Sorry, that’s my shorthand for law enforcement officer.
I’m right this moment pouring over your gift ideas…and making a list of things I want for myself, oops! I’m envious of you being in New York, especially during the holidays. We were in the city for five days in early November. I miss it already!
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It’s so important to read these stories when we hear so much about the other. Thank you for sharing this.
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Thanks Michelle. The past few days have been hard on my heart. I’m going to spend tomorrow on the couch with a Christmas movie marathon, pretending the real world isn’t just outside the door. Childish, but I need to retreat. I hope you have a restful weekend after your first week on the new job.
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My great-niece wants to be a policeman and intends to apply in two years, when she’s old enough. She’s one of the sweetest people I’ve ever known, and she’ll be the best kind of officer. I’m proud of her, but I also wish she would choose a safer career.
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Hi Kathy,
Thank you so much for reading and for leaving this wonderful comment. I wish my husband was in a safer career as well, but I am thankful and proud for the way he represents the profession. It sounds like your great-niece will do the same, and I am grateful to her in advance!
Best,
Karen
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As a retired police officer of 28 years, it was within a year after I retired that I appreciated and understood all of everything your have posted. Each and every paragraph means so much as I look back at my career.
Yours is not a political statement “but the truth” for all emergency service personnel. Police, Firefighters, and our Emergency room nurses, we all have a front row seat to view the worst humanity has to offer and yet we must maintain to continue performing with the professionalism at all times on and off duty.
It takes a special spouse to married to an emergency service personnel and I applaud you all with honor and reverence in your position and duty. Stand tall, raise your heads high as you all are with the true guardians of your communities.
Thanks for the great posting!
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I cannot express to you how much your words mean to me. I am grateful to you for leaving this comment. And I thank you for the service you provided to your community for so many years. Best, Karen
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Reblogged this on and commented:
Police Officer Rafael Ramos and Police Officer Wenjian Liu; RIP
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Thank you for the reblog! I am heartbroken over the deaths of these two heroes. 😦
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Karen, I have reblogged your comments on my site, and my Norther VA police family are responding positively in tears with what you wrote.
Our family lost another officer to a similar style attack in Tarpon Springs FL. early this morning.
Squeeze you hubby a little harder, tell him to remain alert, safe and attentive to his surrounds, as I will continue to pray for my police family to remain safe and out of harms way.
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This means more to me than I can adequately express. I will pass your words along to my husband, thank you. I will continue to pray as well for the safety of all of our family in blue.
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This is so beautiful 🙂
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Thank you, and thank you for reading! 🙂
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Beautiful. Eloquent. I always think of officers in the same light as teachers – under appreciated and under valued. I know there are some “bad cops” out there. But they are miniscule percentage of the whole. Yet, somehow, those few come to represent the whole.
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I find it interested how certain careers seem to link people together- teaching, nursing, police, and firefighters are drawn to one another. I know many teachers who are married to police officers. I believe it is the mutual desire to serve a purpose. (It surely isn’t for the paycheck!) Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment! Best, Karen 🙂
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So true. Our understanding of people, desire to serve a purpose, meaningful work draws us. One day we will be recognized for our service and we will be paid millions for it. Imagine a world with no teachers, nurses, officers, firefighters… now imagine a world without the entertainers, musicians, sports players, actors… vastly different worlds.
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Here is to everyone who helps and looks after us. I am sure being a police officer is a hard task. And let’s not forget that there are crazy people everywhere.
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Isn’t that the truth? I would like for an entire group not to be judged based on the perceived actions of a few. Social media is bad for that sort of thing…
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Absolutely! Seems like people also like to get brainwashed in this way…
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Read every beautiful word💜
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I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it! Thank you! 🙂
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Great article again.
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Thank you, I look forward to reading more of your posts as well. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Fill Your Own Glass and commented:
In honor of my blog’s upcoming one year anniversary later this month I thought that I would share some of my most viewed posts from the past year, along with some of my personal favorites. This one is my second most viewed post, and I think it is timely to share it with my readers again. Thank you all for each and every visit you have here!
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This was wonderful, thank you for writing it. I just shared on FB for my Dad, retired from Sparta PD, and my brother, newly retired from Westfield PD.
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Thank you, Tracey! I am thankful for your father and your brother for their years of service and sacrifice. My husband has been on the job for twenty years, and the public’s outlook and perception have changed immensely over the years. We are always grateful for support! Best, Karen
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As I wrote when you first posted this….I couldn’t agree more.
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Thank you, George. I think we are finally seeing a small bit of a turn back toward people supporting our law enforcement, and importantly, vocalizing that support. I hope the trend continues…
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I have never known a policeman on a personal basis. What I do know is if we, the public, need them they come and try to help. As with the military, I thank them for their service.
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I have been lucky enough to know mine through marriage for nearly eighteen years, along with many of his co-workers. 🙂 I follow a police officer from California who is a blogger. He wrote a short piece yesterday about how much it meant to him when a man passing by in a coffee shop said, “Thank you for your service.” Five simple words that make them feel worthy and appreciated when the media does everything in its power to make them feel the opposite.
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Its an amazing post, heartfelt. I remember reading a similar post on Nurses.
Great one, I look forward to new reposts of yours
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Sometimes we overlook our everyday life-saving heroes in favor of actors and athletes… Thank you for reading!
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