Growing up with a cop for a father was never easy. Although I didn't fully understand the job he committed to doing, I did understand that it was a job that didn't allow him much time at home. Just the other day, he showed me some old letters I had written him when I was younger and at the bottom of one was a song. It went something like "la la la never leave me la la la please stay home la la la you should stay home la la la I miss you." Now, I won't be the next Taylor Swift with those song writing skills, but I sure did know how to emphasize my point.

And while it is sad that I didn't get to see my dad as often as I would have liked growing up because of his job, it is even sadder that he sacrificed time with his children to perform a job that no one seems to appreciate anymore. A job that he has given his everything for over 20 some years now. And for what? To have people throw bricks at his car and spit in his face? To have people shout at him and record him under the pretense that he will do something other than carrying out his duties the best he can?

I am a cop daughter and I am proud of what my dad does for the city of Baltimore. Dad, you are an amazing father and officer. Every day, you put yourself in harms way to protect and provide for those you love, and for that you are my hero. You are my hero because you perform your duties without expecting appreciation and, sadly, often never receiving a "thank you." So, thank you. Thank you for the moments you were an active member of the community: delivering Christmas presents to children, ice skating with the community and making sure someone had a bite to eat. Thank you for the moments you risked your life: helping a store owner with a robbery, breaking up drunk fights at bars and even putting yourself in the line of fire. Thank you for the moments you lost sleep, the moments you missed at home and the moments that still haunt your dreams. Thank you for what you have done for Baltimore.

Do I believe that every officer is a great man like my father? No. Corruption appears to be human nature. But it is a small percentage of cops that deserve the treatment Baltimore police officers have been receiving lately and blaming the masses is not helping your cause. So please go out and peacefully protest, post your opinion on social media and get your voice heard, but also please remember who is defending your right to even have an opinion to express.

Thank you officers of Baltimore. Thank you dad.