Friday’s Heroes: Remembering The Fallen

The number of police officers killed in the line of duty is on the rise—51 already this year. That’s a 24% increase in the number of officer deaths over last year (20,129 total officer deaths in U.S. history).

Thankfully, this week everyone was able to return home at the end of their shifts. They removed their badges and gun belts to attend their kid’s ball games, help with homework, and give hugs at bedtime. They helped their spouses with household duties and chores, attended birthday parties and family outings, and maybe laughed and smiled a little more than normal. Why? Because there were no officer funerals to attend this week. Maybe that’s why the sun seemed to shine a little brighter than it did just a week ago.

Still, the danger that comes with next week is always looming. So stay safe guys, don’t take any chances, wait for back up, and always wear your vests.

Law Enforcement Code of Ethics

As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all persons to liberty, equality and justice.

I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.

I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminal, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.

I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession…law enforcement.

* I’m currently in Brunswick, Ga., home of the Glynco Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. The FLETC in Georgia is so large (1600 acres) it actually has its own zip code and town name, (Glynco). For example, the training center has the capability of serving 4,000 meals each day. The physical training (PT) area alone is situated on three acres. But no PT for me. Those days are long gone. I’m enjoying the beaches of St. Simons Island, the sun, the Spanish moss draped live oaks, and the sounds of the ocean.