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Law enforcement officers get a day of appreciation |
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Written by Kimberly Gray
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Saturday, 10 May 2008 |
Emmanuel Fellowship Church recently hosted a meal at Neal’s Restaurant in honor of all of the men and women who serve in law enforcement in our community.
The purpose of the dinner, according to Emmanuel Fellowship Church pastor Eric von Atzigen, was to “show honor to the men and women who faithfully serve our community and to their families. Every day we are blessed by their sacrifice and hard work, and we desire to return a simple blessing to each of them.”
The church got the idea from a day that is designated as Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. That day is today, May 9. It is held each year on the second Friday in May.
Why honor them? To Caro-lyn Duren, the founder of Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (LEAD), the answer is simple: “Because they serve, they de-serve. These officers put themselves on the line each day to serve and protect our way of life,” Duren said.
Duren founded LEAD in April of 2002. It was created as an advocate for law enforcement officers by providing national recognition for their dedication to their profession.
The incident that caused her to want to bring more recognition to law enforcement officers was a day that she was summoned to serve on a grand jury. She was excited about getting the chance to be on a grand jury, but her number was never called.
However, she watched the other jurors that were called get ready for court, and all she heard were complaints about having to serve in that capacity.
It saddened her because she said she felt they had lost their regard for law enforcement officers and our judicial system. “I felt personally betrayed by the acts that I witnessed in the courtroom that day,” she stated on the LEAD Web site.
Because of that, she felt she had to do something to show law enforcement officers her respect for what they do and honor them in some way.
That’s when National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day was founded.
Duran also feels strongly about honoring law enforcement officers because of the sacrifices many of them make.
The Web site, www.nationallead.com, reports that 165 officers die in the line of duty annually, and one officer is killed every 54 hours.
In addition, 61,000 officers are assaulted annually, and 189 are assaulted every day.
Another 19,000 officers are injured during those assaults, and two officers are shot every day.
Duren believes that officers are willing to put themselves in harm’s way because of their passion for the job.
“They are passionate about what they do, and they have much to offer,” she said.
Through her non-profit organization Duren also offers scholarships to law enforcement officers and their children to continue education in the law enforcement profession.
In addition to the meal Sunday, Emmanuel Fellowship Church also collected notes from people in the community that spoke of their appreciation to law enforcement officers in our community.
The church also held a coloring contest in the elementary schools that focused on law enforcement officers.
“It was a real joy to honor the men and women who put their lives on the line for us every day,” von Atzigen said.
He also encouraged the people of our community stop and say “thank you” today.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 12 May 2008 )
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