When I was a little girl, I was so happy and proud to say that my Daddy was a police officer. I never really understood what his job really entailed besides keeping people on the streets of New York City safe. My dad never really spoke to me about what he would do when he was at work besides the fact that he “got the bad guys.”

It wasn’t until September 11^th, 2001 when I finally understood what being a police officer meant. Although I was still young, I fully understood what was going on. From that day on, I knew my father was my hero. My dad, along with many other police officers, fire fighters, and other responders put their lives in danger to keep us safe. So many people that day lost their lives trying to or succeeding in saving other peoples lives before their own. To me, that is a hero. I will always remember the sacrifice’s so many men and woman that day made to save the lives of many. We should never forget what heroic acts were made on that day.

I am going to fast forward now to 2014, I thought that I was one of the lucky ones, although I lost family in the World Trade Center, I felt as though guardian angel’s were looking over my Daddy because he came home safe. I was wrong.

It was not until too late that my family and I found out that because of my Dad’s heroic acts on September 11^th, 2001 and staying down at Ground Zero while fulfilling his duties as a first responder that he had Pancreatic Cancer. My dad lost his life just ten short months after.

I am the daughter of a fallen police officer. With that being said, I am very protective when is comes to our family in Blue. I understand the heart ace that families undergo when they are told their family member has lost their lives in the line of duty. I hurt for every fallen officer. I get angry when I hear someone talking poorly about police officers as a whole. I get defensive when I see officers being mistreated. I get happy when I hear of a successful takedown. I feel proud when I hear that a police officer that was wounded has fully recovered.

It is 2016 and in the past few years, the hatred of police officers has drastically increased. Videos clips of incidents that have happened are being portrayed as evil, people are shooting officers for no reason, people are taunting officers in public settings but the most hurtful one of all is when I go on social media and see “all cops deserve to die”.

All cops do NOT deserve to die, in fact, none of them do. Police officer’s jobs are not easy. They are here to keep us safe. Whether that means chasseing someone who is armed with the risk of being killed, investigating a rape or a homicide, responding to a domestic violence call, putting his or her lives at risk for a drug bust or a gang issue, even responding to terrorist attacks. Police officers respond to calls not knowing if they will come out of it alive.

People tend to forget that police officers are going to be the ones they call when they are in trouble or in need. People will go with the flow saying they hate the police but when in need will be the first to call them.

Put yourself in my shoes. I am the daughter of a hero who put his life on the line to protect us. I have one less seat at the dinner table, I have no one to go on daddy-daughter dates with, I have no one to walk me down the aisle when I get married, my sister will not have someone see her graduate high school or dance with at her sweet sixteen, my brother doesn’t have his g- to man for advice anymore or his role model to follow. Our children will never have a grandfather but worst of all, my mom lost her best friend and her soul mate. To you, I understand this officer in blue is just an officer, but contrary to your belief, he or she goes home to a family every night.

I am the daughter of a fallen police officer. I know what it is like to hear roll call being called at ceremonies where there is no one there to answer. I know what it’s like to be saluted by a sea of blue thanking my family for my Dad’s service. I know what it is like to see his name on a wall because he is a hero. I know what it is like to hear Taps being played and Amazing Grace on the bagpipes followed by gun salutes to honor the fallen.

I am the daughter of a fallen police officer and I am sick and tired of hearing negative connotations about police officers. Hug your hero’s tight and never let them go. Thank a police officer this week, and don't forget to say a prayer for all those who risk their lives for our safety every day.

Thank you NYPD, <3