Appreciation For Our Police Officers

Two police officers were shot in Florida last week. One officer was killed one was injured. The morning after having heard that on the news I was at a Starbucks in Deerfield Beach where I met two Broward county Sherriff’s, Mark & Tom, both had black bands covering a portion of their badges.

Not knowing either of these two brave souls at all, I didn’t know what to say or really, what to do. But my heart went out to them.

So I greeted them, just to tell them how much I appreciated them both for what they did on a daily basis, and for their service to their community.

They thanked me and we spoke briefly about some of what they face on the job from day to day.

I was struck by the probability that they, Mark & Tom, were really facing some pretty deep & difficult thoughts. Signified by the band on their badge & my awareness of the reports on the news. Hard to say what all they were thinking as they reflected on the events of the days before.

It felt like such a small thing – almost a little embarrassing, to just shake their hand and tell them I appreciated them.  Perhaps … probably, it wasn’t enough, I know of a certainty they deserve more & better. It was just all I could think of at the time. (they already had their coffee - I wish I had paid for it for them)

It is my hope that real appreciation  & gratitude gets worked into the forefront of our culture. Not just to feel it but to act on it.

“Faith without works is dead” (it’s a great line from a book I’ve read a time or two) but in very much the same way Appreciation without Action is pretty much meaningless.

All I’m suggesting is when you see an officer of the Law – take a moment, look them in the eye and let them feel from your heart an overflow of gratitude and appreciation.

Lord knows, actually WE ALL know, they hear enough of the opposite.

Keep our Police in your Prayers and when you have the chance, take it, and tell them you appreciate what they do and who they are.

In respect & appreciation for - 

Thirteen-year St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office veteran Sgt. Gary Morales, 35, who was shot and killed Thursday morning 2/28/2013 during a traffic stop in suburban Fort Pierce.

Morales was pronounced dead at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center. Suspect Eriese Tisdale, 25, was captured a couple blocks away at Oleander Avenue and Digiorgio Road on the south end of Fort Pierce in an industrial/residential area.