An Appreciation for Law Enforcement Officers {National LEO Day}

We hope we don’t get caught driving over the speed limit as we go by, looking in the rearview mirror to see if we’re going to get pulled over.

We judge them for any potential wrongdoing and ridicule their mistakes no matter how big or small.

But we also mourn and come together in our community if one of them is killed in the line of duty.

Being a law enforcement officer isn’t easy, and being the mother of kids whose other parent is a law enforcement officer isn’t easy either.

My kids’ father says goodbye and “I love you” to them each time he walks out the door and to his job, not knowing if that could be the last time he sees them. While our kids are accustomed to it, they also know nothing different and only assume their dad will come home each night.

Meanwhile, when there is news of an officer injured in the line of duty, on the scene of a SWAT standoff, or another high-profile incident occurs, I’m the one checking in to make sure things are OK and hoping I receive an answer back in a timely manner.

My kids know that there may be times where their dad has to go to an emergency — they’ve been told not to panic if they get off the bus and don’t see their dad’s car in the driveway like it normally is. It’s not something every child should be expected to know, especially if they are routine-driven. Yet, as the spouse of a law enforcement officer, I’m the one making constant backup plans in case an emergency would occur.

As children of a law enforcement officer, I know how proud my kids are of what their father does for a career. They’re proud to say that their father helps people even if many others don’t see it that way.

As the spouse of a law enforcement officer, I share that same pride, but also the weight of the sorrows the job can bring. The hours, which can be unpredictable at times, the consistent training so that officers can protect themselves, and the mental toll of not knowing what each day may bring can be exhausting. It’s on my spouse’s hardest nights that I find it most difficult as I want to be there for support, but may not always have the right words to say to bring comfort.

While it may be difficult to do, especially when we are “caught” or disagreeing with their actions, law enforcement officers want nothing more than to protect and serve their communities. The next time you see a law enforcement officer, whether they’re standing security at a function you’re attending or mundanely moving traffic along after a fun event, if you can, I encourage you to give them a wave or tell them, “Thank you.” Law enforcement officers are, after all, humans just like us, and are willing to put their life on the line to keep all of us protected from harm.