Late yesterday afternoon a tragic incident occurred in Clayton County, Georgia. A Deputy Sheriff there became the 100th Law Enforcement Officer to be Killed in the Line of Duty. Reports indicate Deputy Sheriff Richard Daley was shot multiple times in the course of a traffic stop by a male juvenile who was armed with a handgun.
While many may not ever know or even stop to think about how many Law Enforcement Officers are assaulted or killed each year the numbers this year alone are approaching, tragically, a record high. Over half of these brave men and women were killed by violent offenders. Those Officers were shot, stabbed, run over or beaten to death, leaving behind a Wife, Husband, Mom, Dad, Children and many other loved ones.
The death of a Law Enforcement Officer should never be looked upon as just another number. No, it should be viewed for what it is. A tragedy. A dark part of humanity where by a person, through their own violent acts, cannot abide by the Laws of our Nation, State or Community. This person acts out by destroying the very symbol of Law and Order for our great nation, a Peace Officer. This sad marker, the number 100 is not to be taken lightly. This number is not just a number in a series of numerical order. This number is the reflection of those lost looking back at those of us left behind to carry on the Dedication to Duty they exhibited in their lifetime.
Consider the first Law Enforcement Officer Killed in the Line of Duty this year. Deputy Sheriff Suzzane Harper of Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio. Deputy Harper a Wife and Mother of two children and two step children was gunned down on January 1st, 2011. This incident occurred in the middle of the day in a crowded mobile home community full of people living their daily lives with the knowledge brave and dedicated members of Law Enforcement like, Deputy Harper, were On Duty, watching over their community.
One man, who made the decision, not to have any respect, any honor or consideration for our Laws and the safety of his community exited his trailer armed with a shotgun, shot and killed Deputy Harper at point blank range. He also shot and wounded several other Deputies and Officers in an ensuing gun battle where he was ultimately killed himself. This incident, like many others involving the Murder of a Police Officer bring about a profound thought process whereby one wonders, “Why? Why such a senseless series of events?” or “why such a tragic thing would even happen?”. These thought process’ have been ongoing for decades now. Thousands of Law Enforcement Officers have been Killed in the Line of Duty here in the United States in the last 200 years.
So, when driving down the street today, or walking into a store, your office or even your own home, take a moment of pause, if you would, and remember, your safety, your families safety remains intact because of the bravery and dedication by the men and women who stand in the face of those who wish us all harm and even at times, death. Those men and women, wear a shield which symbolizes our trust in them to stand at the ready. For some of those men and women, the ultimate sacrifice will be made. Their shield shall retire with them. They will leave their friends and family with only the memories of the life they lived.
However, they shall not have died in vain. No, not any one of them shall have perished in vain. They shall not have passed from this Earth unto Heaven without reason. “No one has a greater Love than this, that someone would lay down his life for the life of his friends”.
Here, locally in Liberty County, four Law Enforcement Officers have been Killed in the Line of Duty. Many others have been assaulted or injured. In recent years one of the four Killed, Deputy Odell McDuffie died as a result of a motor vehicle crash which occurred while he was upholding his sworn Duty. Deputy McDuffie exhibited and truly exemplified the noble calling of Law Enforcement. Deputy McDuffie was known by many as a “gentle giant.” He was truly a large man with an even larger heart. He, like the others who have passed before him and sadly, those who will pass after him, shall not pass in vain. No, not at all, they shall have passed protecting this community, our community, Liberty County.
Just over a year ago, two Liberty County Deputy Sheriffs were shot in a gun battle which occurred in early morning hours of March of 2009. This incident occurred in a neighborhood full of families. Families not much different than yours or mine, really. Those men stood at the ready. The men and women wearing a badge here in Liberty County are often forgotten or thought of as inconsequential, however, truly, they are some of the most valuable people we have among us.
It would be a sincere prayer and hope no other Officers pass from us here in Liberty County. The number 100 has not passed unnoticed by me. It is a profound, sad and unmistakable marker whereby I can only express my sincere and heartfelt gratitude to all of the members of Law Enforcement here in Liberty County. God’s speed to each and every one of you.
