On Jan. 9, 2017, many organizations will come together, for a third straight year, to show their support of Law Enforcement officers nationwide with National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (L.E.A.D.).
Police chaplains, C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors Inc.), International Conference of Police Chaplains, and other organizations promote this one-day annual event nationwide to recognize these officers who put their lives on the line daily.
In the United States, there are over 780,000 officers who put on the badge each daily, not knowing what the day holds in front of them. Many go to work not knowing if they will see their loved ones once their shift is over. The situations that an officer may face could potentially be dangerous; yet, they face those threats head on and go to work each day.
In 2016, there were 140 officers nationwide who died in the line of duty. Sixty-four of the 140 deaths involved officers being killed by gunfire, the highest since 2011. Add in that on average, approximately 50,000 officers are assaulted in the line of duty each year, 14,000 officers are injured in the line of duty each year, and 150-300 officers commit suicide annually -- it’s a costly toll that law enforcement pays each year to keep the country’s communities safe. Yet, time after time, officers are often cast into a negative light.
Each year, on Jan. 9, American citizens are asked to join in with L.E.A.D. and show their support for law enforcement officers. Citizens, who appreciate law enforcement and are discouraged about the negative attention shown to officers, are encouraged to take time on Monday, Jan. 9, to show their support.
© Lonnie Ledford 2017 All Rights Reserved.
