To the Editor:
I continue to hear disturbing reports of police brutality throughout our country, I cannot help but think of the men and women of our own police, sheriff and fire departments. I wonder if they realize how grateful our city is for their dedication and commitment. To quote the words used at one of the funerals of a fallen police officer, “Here they are and here they stay. They live in danger every day so we can live in peace.”
As a resident of Alexandria for over 20 years, I have had the need to call on our public servants. When my dogs barked in the middle of the night and my gate was open, within minutes of my call, the police were at my home with a police dog while the officer on the phone instructed me to lock my bedroom door and stay on the phone with her until they arrived. When there was a severe drug problem on my street, the officers of the drug unit worked tirelessly to eliminate the problem permanently, while giving our street extra security. When the house next door was on fire, minutes after my call, police and firefighters were on the scene. “Yes, here they are and here they stay” protecting our freedoms and keeping us safe.
Our police, firefighters and deputy sheriffs live a very different life from most of us. They put their lives at risk every day, on and off duty. I cannot imagine being responsible for protecting so many people. I cannot imagine being the family that waits for a call from their loved one at the end of their shift to say they are safe while also fearing the call might come from someone else, with a different message. I cannot imagine getting a call telling me there is an emergency and report immediately or walking into gunfire or a burning building to save a child. I cannot imagine living my life in a constant state of readiness. Yet, this is the daily life of our
police, sheriff and firefighters. They live this life to secure our lives. However, with all of their dedication, our public protectors get less pay and often, fewer benefits, than so many people in the private sector. How many of our protectors can even afford to live in the city they protect? How many of them can afford to own their own home?
Have you ever stopped to say “thank you” to these brave individuals when you see them on the street? It is a difficult time in our country. We desperately need these dedicated individuals to now we are grateful for their courage, commitment and selflessness. Please take the time to say thank you when you see them on the street. Most of all, keep them, and their families in your prayers. We are so fortunate to have such outstanding police and fire departments and deputy sheriffs in our city.
We do not want to lose any of them.
Linda Trinkle Wolf
Alexandria