Years ago Rudyard Kipling wrote, “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you…” We live in a tumultuous time made worse by the cultural approval of a sense of selfish entitlement. It seems that everyone feels they are owed something but no one (or very few) wants to be responsible for themselves.
Next week has been set aside as National Police Week. As next week ends, special memorial services will be held in Washington and around the country to honor those who have given their lives during 2009 in service to their communities. Since 1962, May 15 has been designated as National Law Enforcement Memorial Day. Thousands will gather to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to keep peace in their communities and to protect their fellow officers and the innocent.
As I write this, the Officer Down Memorial Page (www.odmp.org) reports that line-of-duty deaths are up over 20% from this time last year when the total was 126. Traffic accidents are always a significant contributor to officer deaths, and the last few months are no different. What is different is that recently officers have been targeted for attack and ambushed, and the main reason is that they were wearing a law enforcement uniform. Officers working in their cars on computers or together in coffee shops have been gunned down without warning. Those who run toward the sound of gunfire to selflessly put themselves between harm and us deserve better than that.
If you agree, here are some things you can do:
Find some way to say thank you to a peace officer in your community. “Thanks for your service, deputy/officer” will work just fine.
Tie a blue ribbon on your car aerial during National Police Week (May 9-15) to show your support and appreciation for the work law enforcement does.
Refuse to buy into the self-centered narcissism of our culture by living selflessly for Christ and others. Your courageous contribution to the climate of our society can help change the culture, make our communities safer, and make the job of our law enforcement professionals easier.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
For more information check out the COPS website: