|
Police, fire officers deserve our respect
Published October 1, 2009
As of Sept. 25, 2009, 91 police officers have been killed in the line of duty across the United States since the first of the year.
According to the Preliminary 2009 Law Enforcement Officer Fatality Statistics, four Alabama officers were among those fatalities.
But for the grace of God, Guntersville police officer Jason Austin might have been the fifth fatality during the pursuit of three suspects fleeing from Albertville police Monday night Sept. 21.
The distinct possibility Albertville police officer Brad Bowen, who came under fire as he and other officers were pursuing the suspects, might also have become a victim.
Although Bowen was not struck, Austin was not as fortunate.
Austin was hit just above his right eyebrow, after a bullet came through the front windshield of his unmarked Chevrolet pickup truck about a half-mile from where the chase ended on Wyeth Drive.
The bullet ran between his skull and his scalp and ended up lodged right behind his right ear, Guntersville Police Chief Jim Peterson said. Austin did not need immediately require surgery, rather doctors chose to monitor Austin for the next several weeks before deciding the best way to remove the bullet, according to Peterson.
Authorities have charged Elizabeth Denise Moody, 33, of Valley Head, a passenger in the Ford Ranger, with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer – one for firing on Bowen and another for shooting Austin.
The incident graphically demonstrates the real life-threatening danger law enforcement officers place themselves in every day as they “protect and serve” our communities.
Of the 91 officers killed across the U.S. thus far in 2009, 35 died as the result of gunfire.
Each officer who puts on a badge understands the consequences and the danger associated with it. Yet, they do it unselfishly.
As our military men and women stand on foreign soil between us and those who would do us harm, so too men and women of law enforcement stand between us and those who would do us harm here at home.
Despite the few bad apples that can be found in any organization, the majority of those choosing to be law enforcement officers, be they police, sheriff, highway patrol or federal officers, they deserve our gratitude.
Whenever I travel, and the opportunity presents itself, I walk up to a law enforcement officer and say, “I just want to thank you for what you do.”
While the officer’s initial response is often one of surprise, once they realize I’m serious, the smile and the expression of gratitude is well worth the effort.
Try it sometime – you and the officer will be glad you did. P.S. Don’t forget our fire and emergency personnel too.
George Jones is a staff writer for The Sand Mountain Reporter. His e-mail address is boaz(at)sandmountainreporter.com.ꆱ
Share |
Save |
Mail |
Print |
Letter
|
|
|
 |
|
Follow the Reporter on Twitter:
SMR News and
SMR Sports
|
