There is no doubt that the 2016 Election was one to talk about. It had its extreme highs and lows, with passionate people on both ends of the spectrum. But enough is enough. We need to quit talking about how upset we are that Trump won. We need to quit protesting and start living again. Because there are so many more important things going on in the world. There are so many other things that need our attention. Like the number of fallen officers in 2016. The number of men and women who spent their lives trying to protect you, me, our families, and our friends. The men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice right here at home when they should be home with their families this holiday season.
In 2016, so far, 60 officers have fallen in the line of duty. 60 police officers have given the ultimate sacrifice. 60 families lost a member of their family, a father, mother, husband, wife, daughter, son, brother, sister. Yet, here I am, looking at news headlines about people calling for a ballots to be recounted in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Here I am looking at news headlines telling us all of the people President-Elect Trump is putting in charge of different areas. Here I am looking at how Trump won't be pursuing Hillary Clinton's investigation and how President Obama is pardoning turkeys this Thanksgiving.
I sit here, in my small-town-Iowa home, wondering if some people even know that these shootings have happened. I sit here, unaware until about an hour ago, that 60 men and women had died in serving their communities. I sit here wondering if people know about the officers shot and killed in Iowa just a few weeks ago. Oh, but I'm sure they know about their favorite musicians holiday plans. About the bumper to bumper traffic in LA as people travel for Thanksgiving. I'm sure they know what time their favorite store opens for Black Friday shopping. Yet, we don't know about these horrific things going on around the nation.
I am just as at fault as the next millennial out there. I don't always know what's going on in the world. Hell, I hardly ever know the weather forecast for the day. But a lot of the reason I don't keep up to date is because rarely do I actually hear something I want to know about. While it is exciting that people are having babies and that Obama takes the time to "pardon" certain turkeys, those aren't the things I want to hear. I want to know what is really going on in the world around me, no matter how ugly it may be.
Please, stop talking about the election. Please, start talking about things that matter. Help me in remembering the 60 officers that have died in the line of duty. Help me in bringing awareness to the fact that our country is falling and people are beginning to feel unsafe. Being an officer comes with knowing you may not return home one day, but it should not be a fear coming true this often. Teach your children respect for officers. That if they don't agree with them that does not give them the right to pull a firearm and shoot them, or anyone for that matter.
Help me in remembering our fallen law enforcement officers.
In remembrance of our fallen police officers around the nation.
Sgt. Allen Brandt - Fairbanks, Alaska
Officer David Glassler - Phoenix, Arizona
Officer Darrin Reed - Show Low, Arizona
Officer Jonathan DeGuzman - San Diego, California
Sgt. Steve Owen - Los Angeles County, California
Officer Jose Gilbert Vega - Palm Springs, California
Officer Lesley Zerebny - Palm Springs, California
Sheriff's Deputy Jack Hopkins - Modoc County, California
Sgt. Rod Lucas - Fresno County, California
Sheriff's Deputy Dennis Wallace - Stanislaus County, California
Sheriff's Deputy Derek Geer - Mesa County, Colorado
Sheriff's Cpl. Nate Carrigan - Park County, Colorado
Maj. Greg Barney - Riverdale, Georgia
Officer Tim Smith - Eastman, Georgia
Sheriff's Deputy Sondron - Peach County, Georgia
Sheriff's Deputy Daryl Smallwood - Peach County, Georgia
US Marshals Deputy Commander Patrick Carothers - Long County, Georgia
Sheriff's Deputy Carl Koontz - Howard County, Indiana
Sgt. Anthony "Tony" Beminio - Des Moines, Iowa
Officer Justin Martin - Urbandale, Iowa
Detective Brad Lancaster - Kansas City, Kansas
Capt. Robert David Melton - Kansas City, Kansas
Sheriff's Deputy David F. Michel Jr. - Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
Sheriff's Deputy Brad Garafola - East Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Officer Matthew Gerald - Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Cpl. Montrell Jackson - Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Sheriff's Deputy Patrick Dailey - Harford County, Maryland
Sheriff's Deputy Mark Logdson - Harford County, Maryland
Officer Jacai Colson - Prince George County, Maryland
Officer Ronald Tarentino Jr. - Auburn, Massachusetts
Court Bailiff Ronald Kienzle - Berrien County, Michigan
Supervising Court Bailiff Joseph Zangaro - Berrien County, Michigan
Sgt. Kenneth Steil - Detroit, Michigan
Special Agent Lee Tartt - Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics
Officer Blake Snyder - St. Louis, Missouri
Officer Jose Chavez - Hatch, New Mexico
Officer Clint Corvinus - Alamogordo, New Mexico
Sergeant Paul Tuozzolo - New York City, New York
Officer Tim Brackeen - Shelby, North Carolina
Officer Jason Moszer - Fargo, North Dakota
Officer Thomas Cottrell - Danville, Ohio
Officer Steven Smith - Columbus, Ohio
Sgt. Jason Gooding - Seaside, Oregon
Officer Scott Bashioum - Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
Sgt. Luis A. Melendez-Maldonado - Puerto Rico
Officer Allen Lee Jacobs - Greenville, South Carolina
Special Agent De'Greaun Frazier - Jackson, Tennessee
Officer Kenny Moats - Maryville, Tennessee
Officer David Hoffer - Euless, Texas
Sgt. Cpl. Lorne Ahrens - Dallas, Texas
Officer Michael Krol - Dallas, Texas
Sgt. Michael Smith - Dallas Texas
Officer Brent Thompson - Dallas, Texas
Officer Patrick Zamarripa - Dallas, Texas
Decetive Benjamin Marconi - Dallas, Texas
Officer Douglas Barney - Salt Lake, Utah
Trooper Chad D. Dermyer - Greyhound, Virigina
Officer Ashley Guindon - Prince William County, Virigina
Deputy Sheriff Dan Glaze - Rusk County, Wisconsin