It is terribly sad and, unfortunately, far too instructive of the current national lawless climate that has taken hold especially in some urban areas, that there were 117 law enforcement officers who gave their lives on duty in 2014.

And that number just keeps rising recently with other police deaths tragically recorded in just the past two weeks in New York City and Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

This is not written to stir the embers of the national debate currently raging regarding the deaths of young black men in Baltimore, New York City, South Carolina and Ferguson, Missouri.

Those police-related issues will either be resolved in the courts (Baltimore, New York City and South Carolina) or when the truth comes out as it did in Ferguson, when witnesses — both black and white — confirmed the police officer’s version of the shooting of Michael Brown. And that also destroyed the false “Hands up, don’t shoot” chant that became a ridiculous craze for protesters, celebrities and even professional athletes.

It is no secret that there can be bad apples in law enforcement — just as there are in any profession. But law enforcement’s need for accountability and professionalism rises to an extra high level just because of the job they do and the weapons they carry.

We believe some special words of thank you are needed and most deserved for all law enforcement during this National Police Week.

Law enforcement officers risk their lives every day to serve and protect citizens. They do so to honor their calling to duty.

 

— Mesabi Daily News, May 12