In the U.S., yesterday was Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Won’t you join me in extending that appreciation for the whole weekend around the world?
This weekend we’re thinking about police officers and deputies in France, Australia, Asia, New York… we could all add to the list and the appreciation could encircle the globe.
I know F.B.I. Agents Kim Otto and Carlos Gaspar of my Hunt for Jack Reacher series are grateful for federal and local law enforcement officers. In Don’t Know Jack, they work closely with small-town Top Cop Beverly Roscoe (a woman of Lee Child’s creation!) to solve a puzzling murder. Roscoe also knows a thing or two about Jack Reacher that Otto and Gaspar don’t.
“I learned how important fingerprints really are when I met Jack Reacher.”
-Beverly Roscoe, Don’t Know Jack
Police officers feature in all of my books. It would be hard to write a mystery/thriller/suspense story without them! Peace, safety, and order in our communities are possible because they make it so.
Unfortunately, I find that it’s easy to take police officers for granted. On a day-to-day basis, they do their jobs well. We remain safe. Community operations continue to function smoothly. Our law enforcement officers rarely get a high-five on the evening news.
Let’s not wait for another tragedy or Law Enforcement Appreciation Day to remind us how much we appreciate our local, national and international law enforcement officers. Next time you see a police officer, simply tell them thank you.
And a special thanks to any of YOU, the best readers in the world, who have worked in law enforcement, and to any of you who have friends or family in law enforcement for the support you give them.
Stay safe out there, and —
Diane,
What a good idea. I think it should be published around the globe.
I was a traffic policeman from 1970 until 1984, I was stabbed in the back (Not to seriously) whilst assisting a rookie. The effect of this and previous attacks was that I could not put my uniform on without being physically sick. This resulted in me being medically discharged from the force in April 1984.
Now I am fully retired and live in my motor home wandering around the UK with my elderly springer spaniel.
Allan, thank you for your service. I’m so sorry to hear about your injury, but grateful that you’re okay now. You deserve a standing ovation. Thank you.
There has been so much in the news lately about the bad cops, the ones that are too fast to profile, too trigger happy. Society quickly forgets that the vast majority of police officers are hard-working, dedicated professionals who put their lives on the line every day, and who take “protect and serve” very seriously.
Thanks, Diane, for honoring them here. And thank you, ladies and gentlemen in law enforcement!
Exactly, Kassandra. We can’t allow ourselves to take them for granted. I add my voice to your thanks!
Thank you and be careful out there.
I see our local police officers at my nearest Starbucks fairly recently. On Christmas Eve day there were 7 of them seated together outside.
I hurriedly bought 7 thank you gift cards inside SB and handed them out. It didn’t cost me much but you would have thought I’d handed them cards of gold.
I don’t think they get much recognition, especially the positive
kind.