To Walk In Their Shoes

policememorial

Imagine this job description.
You wake up, get dressed, say goodbye to your family and you’re really not sure you will make it home without getting in a fight, encountering the most dangerous people imaginable, getting sued, videotaped or even shot and killed.
Many people respect what you do, but others despise you just because of your uniform.
You work holidays, weekends, midnight shifts… your every move and action scrutinized. Make a mistake (or even if you don’t) and people might get hurt or killed.
The clothes you wear to work can be uncomfortable, bulky and hot.  People can’t help but stare wherever you go. You can’t have a quiet lunch or walk into a store without drawing attention–sometimes welcome, sometimes not.
You do this for a grand a week before taxes, on average. And over the years you might get injured or watch your body break down from the nature of the work. Emotionally you also pay a price. Your gig is stressful, you see things most people never have to see.
You do get to retire in 20 or 30 years, when you’re relatively young and you do get a pension in most cases. But then again you find that many begrudge your pension and you’ll find that in most cases you will have to find work because while a pension is a good thing for most it’s not enough to make ends meet.
You are a police officer.
 And some days are worse than others. Yesterday was one of the bad days. A very bad day.
Two officers were lost in Orlando Monday.
Words can’t describe how horrible that is.
They were doing their jobs and now they’re gone.
An Orlando police sergeant was shot and killed after approaching a suspect wanted for questioning in the murder of his pregnant ex-girlfriend, and a second law enforcement officer was killed in a motorcycle crash while responding to a massive manhunt for the suspect.
Master Sgt. Debra Clayton, 42, was killed outside a Wal-Mart and Orange County Sheriff’s Office Deputy First Class Norman Lewis was killed in a crash while responding to a manhunt for the suspect.
Sgt Clayton was only 42 years old. She was a highly respected officer, a mentor to kids, a wife and a mother. It’s a huge loss.
Deputy Lewis was only 35, with 11 years on the job. He was a former UCF football player; described as a gentle giant by colleagues. He was struck by a van while on his motorcycle responding to the manhunt.
I’ve known many officers, most of them from Delray Beach. I’ve ridden with them, interviewed them, negotiated with them, been friends with them and admired them.
I’ve seen them work some miracles in neighborhoods and make our city safe for investment. It wasn’t always so. Delray was a risky bet.
Truth is, there would have been no Delray rebirth without our Police Department. 
But for all they’ve done their job just doesn’t get easier. In fact, it gets more and more complex. And dangerous too.
The crime and violence persists, so does the abuse they witness– physical abuse and drug abuse. They have a very hard job.  And their bad days–and yesterday was a horrible day–are simply beyond description. 
Pray for their safety. And for ours. 

Comments

  1. Todd L'Herrou says

    Well said, Jeff.

  2. Scott Porten says

    Jeff, thank you for that extremely well written and thoughtful reminder that the men and women in blue are often the underappreciated heroes in our society.

  3. Pat Sciarillo says

    Well said…I know I worry every day. I have a son in law enforcement in Pa. And also a son in law in NJ…I know every day what they do and my prayers go out to the family of these two law enforcement officers in Orlando…I pray this country will come together and stop the racism, violence and hatred….

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