Growing up as the daughter of a police officer was not always easy. I spent sleepless nights worrying about my dad. What if he doesn’t come home alive? What if he gets hurt? What if someone pulls a gun on him at a traffic stop? These are just a few of the thoughts I’ve had while he was out risking his life for the safety of others.
Growing up the other kids thought of Superman, Batman, Spiderman, and Captain America as heroes, but I had a real life hero, my dad. A hero is a person who is idolized and admired for their courage and bravery. My dad fits that description perfectly. He is a strong, brave, courageous individual who risks his life every single day for strangers.
He puts on his bullet proof vest, uniform, and badge not knowing what the day’s shift will bring. He responds to domestic abuse, stabbings, assaults, burglaries, homicides, etc. (the list could go on and on). He never lets the uncertainty or fear stop him from protecting others. He puts your life before his own. That’s why he is my hero.
My hero never stops working. Not only is he protecting strangers on holidays, nights, days, he’s protecting others even when he is off duty. He’s the man that leaves his family at home on Christmas morning to protect you and your family. He’s the man that has to determine the difference between a gun shot and firework on the Fourth of July to ensure you all have a fun safe holiday with your friends and family.
Unfortunately, times have changed. My dad’s career is no longer respected by everyone. He is bashed and attacked on social media. The thoughts that run through my head while he is at work are much different now. Will someone shoot my dad in his patrol car just because he is a cop? Will he be attacked when he responds to a call? Will someone harass him? Will people record him on their phones to make him look like the bad guy for likes on Facebook? Will someone accuse him of being racist?
Next time you are behind a keyboard trying to degrade and disrespect my hero’s career, stop and try to think about what police do every single day. Do you have the courage, strength, and bravery to put your life on the line for strangers? Would you feel safe if police officers were no longer patrolling your community? Are you mentally and physically capable of interacting with dangerous criminals while protecting a community? I know I do not have the strength or bravery to do what they do for strangers.
To the men and women in blue, I support and thank you. Police lives matter to me and they should matter to you too.
