I recently read in the local paper about a number of officers being honored for their heroic efforts during the past year. The recipients of the awards had performed deeds that were above and beyond the call of duty. A couple of them were injured in the process and one made the ultimate sacrifice and was awarded his honors posthumously. These men and women exemplify the very best that law enforcement has to offer. There is no amount of money that we can pay our cops that is commensurate with the valor and selflessness that they demonstrate.
But while I am fully supportive of recognizing valorous acts, it got me thinking about those cops that may never stand up on a stage and have the mayor or chief pin a medal on their chests. I thought about those police officers that might even have been overlooked by superiors and politicians for an act of courage that took place. Sometimes these things take on a life of their own–jealousy and politics have been known to enter into the equation at times. But let's face it, one of the responsibilities of being a boss is to ensure that the people that work for you get the recognition that they deserve. That's all part of being a leader, acknowledging a job well done and in particular, rewarding those that go the extra mile. I know, I know, I've said it too–"Don't worry about giving me anything; just let me do my job." But truth be known, it feels darn good to have that light shine on you if only for a brief instant. We're all human; we need reinforcement from the boss once in awhile to let us know that the job that we're doing is appreciated.
Some of you may remember this…many years ago when I was a young police officer there was an ad about cops that ran in newspapers around the country. The ad showed a uniformed officer about to walk into a dark, dangerous looking alley and the text read, "Would you walk there? He does every day." The ad was meant to garner support for law enforcement, but it made a big impression on me. Some of my family and friends commented on that ad, telling me that I must be lacking sufficient cognitive function to have taken the job as a cop. I didn't see it that way; I saw it as a challenge. If Joe Citizen was afraid to walk into that alley, then it was up to me to do it for him.
I don't think that I was alone in that mindset. I think that if anything, the ad resonated throughout the law enforcement community shoring up morale and strengthening our resolve to do our best each day. It also served to show our communities some of the peril that we face on a regular basis. That danger that I'm referring to is the stuff that makes our job the only one of its kind. We strap on our gear every day and enter into a segment of time during which we have no clue about what or who we may face. We could be on the street for five minutes and have to stare down the barrel of a gun, or maybe the biggest challenge during that tour may be handling a dog bite.
That's the beauty of "the job." We never know what to expect. Sure we have some clues as to what may happen based on training and past experience, but for the most part we don't know what we're up against until it smacks us in the face. How can that be attractive to anyone? You tell me. I can't fully explain it except to say that the unknown, the anxiety and the challenge that it presents, it all adds to the allure of being a cop.
I see examples of unsung heroes each day. I'll be driving down the road and see a one man unit making a traffic stop. We all know the danger inherent in stopping a vehicle, yet we do it as a matter of course, as a part of the job. The cops that answer the domestic call they know that it's generally a no-win situation. That often times we wind up in the middle of a donnybrook, with the complainant jumping on our back and begging us not to take him to jail. How about the mismatch the huge guy that you just ran a record check on that comes back with warrants? Now you're alone and you need to cuff the guy. Has it ever happened to you? Then there's the ubiquitous "Shots Fired" call. Will this one be the real deal or just another bogus one?
Then there are the heartbreakers the calls that we never seem to be able to erase from our minds. The little boy that's been abused; the missing two-year-old girl; the fatal traffic accident involving a family; the rape victim; the old man who calls you when he can't awaken his wife of 60 years. They're all bad bad enough to give you sleepless nights. Bad enough to cause you to creep into your child's room at midnight just to make sure that he's there, and then you find yourself lingering for awhile and thanking God that he's safe.
The guys and gals that face these things on a daily basis are my "everyday heroes." To do what we do, and to see what we see, and yet still manage to live a normal life is something that no badge or ribbon can ever honor. The ability to be strong yet compassionate, and to perhaps have to take a life or to save one, can never be adequately rewarded or compensated. Yet thousands of us do just that–routinely.
Everyday heroes they walk among us each day. Some receive the recognition that they deserve, most do not. For whatever its worth, I say Thank You for a job well done. You are God's warriors. Without your fervor and dedication our lives would be in turmoil. Stay safe, brothers and sisters!