Name another job field where people wake up every day or night to put their lives on the line, other than a public servant. The list includes police officers, fire fighters, emergency medical workers, nurses, the list goes on and on. These individuals selflessly serve the community to protect YOU.

Police Officers, Deputy Sheriff's, State Troopers, and others get up daily, put on their uniforms, and kiss their families goodbye, not knowing if this will be the last time they see them, the last time they pull out of the driveway, or the last time they pack their child's lunch.

On average every 53 hours, a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty. 53 hours. Every 53 hours, a father, mother, brother, sister, uncle, aunt is taken from their loved ones for a plethora of reasons, but none of which being a good reason. Since 1943, there has not been a year in which less than 100 law enforcement officers have been killed. In 2016, 145 officers and 34 K-9 partners died in the line of duty, and 2017 is on track to meet or exceed those numbers.

Ten days. That is the longest period since the beginning of the year where a police officer hasn't been killed in the life of duty. Car accident, stabbing, medical emergency, vehicular assault, or gunfire are all the reasons as to why these officers haven't returned home to their families. Reasons why a suspect decided they were going to take the life of another because they wanted to get away. Reasons why a suspect decided they didn't want to get arrested. Reasons why a suspect wanted to lash out for a final time before ending their own life. These reasons shouldn't exist.

The unknown evil is what the officers are trying to eradicate from their communities, yet it strikes them too often and takes them from us. I will never understand why people retaliate against the police. I won't ever understand why someone values their life more than a public servant. I can't comprehend why it's necessary to take another life. Those who kill the men and women that wear the uniform are cowards, lifeless, and have no reason to be walking free within our community.

These officers go into your community daily to help, protect, and serve. Being a police officer isn’t the most glamorous job, and they aren’t doing it for the pay – they do it because they love it. They love helping others, deterring/stopping crime, and apprehending those who inflict bad on the community.

They’re there to protect you, so you should help protect them.