Law enforcement deserve appreciation
In 2023, there were 118 law enforcement officers who lost their lives while working, including our in Colorado, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. On Feb. 11, 2023, Fountain Police Department Officer Julian Becerra succumbed to injuries sustained nine days earlier when he fell from an overpass in Colorado Springs during a vehicle pursuit of carjacking suspects; Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office K9 Officer Graffit was shot and killed Feb. 13, 2023, while assisting in the search for an armed subject; Colorado Department of Corrections Community Parole Officer Christine Guerin-sandoval died Sept. 28, 2023, after being struck by a vehicle in Colorado Springs while she and two other parole officers attempted to arrest a parolee; and Cortez Police Department Sergeant Michael Moran was shot and killed Nov. 29, 2023, while making a traffic stop.
Jan. 9 is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. It is a time to reflect not only on the sacrifice made by those individuals who lost their lives but also on the immeasurable difference that all law enforcement officers make in our community.
To all the men and women who wear the uniform, we say thank you.
These brave individuals have chosen a career that requires them to put on a gun and badge every day and go to work never knowing what they may face that day or even if they will make it home at night. They’ve answered a call to public service that is demanding and often underappreciated.
These officers don’t just work 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, they work around the clock, seven days a week, come rain, snow, or icy weather, and during the holiday season, instead of spending time celebrating with loved ones, many were on duty keeping the streets of their community safe.
Police officers are people. They are not perfect, but they do their best, and we believe local law enforcement officials have a solid track record of holding their officers to a high standard and making sure they are accountable for their actions.
National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day was founded in 2015 to thank officers across the country for all the daily sacrifices they make for their communities. There are several ways to show your support. Send a note of thanks to your local, county, or state patrol agency. Wear blue, turn your social channels blue, or shine a blue porch light to show your support.
Whatever you do, we encourage you to find some way to show appreciation for all of our local law enforcement today and every day.
To all the men and women who wear the uniform, we say thank you.