I was eight years old the day my Dad became a police officer. I can vividly remember him glowing with pride as he walked across the stage to shake the hands of his new colleagues. Being only eight, I didn't understand the danger or great responsibly of his new profession. In the moment, alongside the rest of my family, we all lolled in the honor of watching him achieve the career he had always dreamed of. We didn't realize then that my along with my Dads dream came blood, sweat, tears and an excess of sleepless nights.
Merriam Webster defines a police officer as, "a person who's job is to enforce laws, investigate crimes and make arrests."
What this definition is missing is the hardship behind every badge and heartache in each officers heart each time a black band must be placed over the badge they work so hard to protect.
Growing up as the daughter and niece of many police officers, I was constantly reminded to respect their authority and call on them if I ever needed help. For the past year I've watched news story after news story sweep the nation featuring police officers being murdered simply for doing their job. The decline in respect citizens have for police officers, and each other in general has only added to the downward spiral of the todays society.
Something we all must remember is police officers do not write laws they simply enforce them.
I cannot speak for every cop but I can speak on the behalf of those I know personally. These men and women in uniform volunteer to protect us because they want to help and serve. But this volunteered protection does not come without a cost.
My Dad would return home after long shifts, completely exhausted, sunburned and dehydrated only to fall into bed for a few short hours before rising to do it all over again. In my entire life I saw my father cry one time. And the tears came after having to report to a mother that her teen son had been slain in a drunk driving accident.
But, even after all the missed birthdays, holiday parties left early, and fifteen hour shifts, my Dad loved being a police officer more than anything in the world.
These men and women commit their lives to keeping us safe, in return it is our job to give them the respect they have earned.
With so much violence and hate filling the world we all must try and remember that we are human before we are anything else. Behind every badge is a husband, a wife, a daughter, a son, mother, father and a life outside the force.
Dedicated to all those brave enough to wear a badge,we cannot thank you enough for your service.
"Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that"- MLK Jr.
Stay golden, Kayla
