No matter what profession you are in and how many countless hours you put in going above and beyond what your job description entails, I think everyone would be in agreement with me saying that law enforcement is the most thankless job known to man. Think about it. When you get a ticket, you don’t say “thank you” to the officer – who’s merely doing his job by ensuring your safety – as he hands over a citation. Instead, you get pissed off. And rightfully so. I mean, you’re the one who gets stuck with demerit points on your license, not to mention that the fine isn’t going to pay itself. And believe me, the stigma attached to law enforcement isn’t any different from the perspective of a police officer’s daughter.
I’m not going to lie, I’ve been pulled over several times and cursed the wind ... no more so than when my own father, a patrol sergeant for the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department, nailed me for speeding shortly after I started driving. Let me tell you, I got the most verbal of warnings anyone could possibly imagine. But as crime rates continue to rise, I can’t help but get a lump in my throat every time I watch the news and hear about a police officer who had been killed in the line of duty, left only to imagine what those families are going through. Thankfully, I haven’t had to deal with that kind of grief. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have nightmares about getting that dreaded phone call ... someone on the other end telling me that I would never see my dad again. Because I know that any day, that nightmare could easily become a reality.
While I understand that not all people are armed criminals and most would never think of pulling a gun on an officer of the law, it only takes one. In an instant the lives of an entire family are changed forever. But the sad fact is that gun violence isn’t the only threat police officers face. That was made all the more evident on Jan. 4, 2008, when I learned that Jason Zunker, a Chippewa County Sheriff’s deputy, had been struck by a car while directing traffic. He died from his injuries the following day. It just so happened that I was home from Wyoming visiting at the time, and one very haunting “what if” question clouded my thoughts that evening: What if I hadn’t come home and my dad hadn’t taken vacation time? Chances are he could have been on duty that evening. Not to say that he would have responded to that very accident scene, but, without a doubt, it hit way too close to home. But that’s just a of the reality I’m forced to live with every day ... at least until my dad retires.
As much as people like to make them out to be the bad guys, I admire police officers for what they do. Every day they go on duty, there is a chance that they might not come home. They selflessly put their lives in danger for the sake of keeping the rest of society safe. The same is true for all emergency personnel who serve and protect, all the while risking their lives. So, seeing as how this is National Police Week (which fittingly coincided with the Fourth Annual Arcadia Area Hometown Heroes event on Tuesday), I would just like to express my gratitude and say thank you to law enforcement officers – and all emergency personnel – for everything that you do. Next time I get pulled over – and I know that day will come, likely sooner than I hope – I’ll be sure to thank the police officer. Ah, who am I kidding? The best I can do is promise I won’t swear ... it’s as good as a thank you.
Jennie Oemig,
Editor
Arcadia News-Leader
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