The Thin Blue Line (Opinion)

UPDATE: Wednesday, December 16th: There was a very touching Christmas letter from one of the Lakewood police officers in The News Tribune today about how we are all working to heal from this tragedy. You can read it here....

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It’s been a week since the very powerful and moving memorial service for our 4 fallen heroes in Lakewood. Our Ruston police and fire departments participated in the event ~ and were touched like many of us. Police Chief Kunkel shared the photos below from the procession and service. We are part of a greater community and this senseless act of violence has impacted us all.

These 4 neighbors were targeted solely because of their badge (and one in Seattle). They were gunned down because of hatred for the uniform they wore. It was a very real attack on civilized society. As we begin to try somehow to heal from this loss, I don’t know that we can return to where we were before, nor should we necessarily.

For one, I hope we will never lose this newfound sense of appreciation for those who serve as peacetime officers of the law. Too much of their time is spent correcting bad behavior, forcing someone to follow the law or dealing with angry people who don’t want anyone telling them what to do. Although it’s uncomfortable for most of them, I hope we never stop telling them how much we appreciate their sacrifice and service.

I also think, for many there will be a lingering loss of peace, of the sense of security that comes from believing that something this horrible cannot happen, especially so close to home. At some level, war has been declared on that “thin blue line” that protects us. There will forever be a scar; a wariness in our police that holds to that truth.

I know we must heal from this. But I hope we don’t heal too fast. I don’t think we can (or should we) just put this behind us. Let’s hug our family especially close this Christmas in honor of these families that have been ripped apart. As we begin the New Year knowing life will never be the same for our law enforcement community, I hope you’ll join me to pray protection, comfort and peace over our thin blue line, both here in Ruston and across the nation.