Observing National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in Meigs County

MEIGS COUNTY, Ohio – The Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and Victim’s Assistance Program are calling on the people of Meigs County to join law enforcement associations across America to celebrate National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Tuesday, January 9, 2018.

In a statement front the Victim’s Assistance Program of the Prosecutor’s Office, the importance was highlighted of showing law enforcement officers that people recognize the difficult career they have chosen in public service to their communities.

Tips for Showing Support for Law Enforcement Officers:

• See a police officer? Thank a police officer.
• Send a card of support to your local police department or state agency.
• Ask children in the community to write letters in support of law enforcement.
• Wear blue clothing in support of law enforcement.
• Participate in Project Blue Light. Proudly display your blue light in support of law enforcement.
• Advertise your support through local media outlets/billboards.
• Share a positive story about a positive law enforcement experience on social media.
• Change your profile picture on social media to support law enforcement.

Additionally the statement noted Melissa Littles description of an officer’s call of duty in Bullets in the Washing Machine by stating the following in a chapter titled “An Officer’s Worth”:
“An officer signs up for a call of duty. A call that is part of who they are as human beings. They sign up to knowingly, willingly and eagerly to protect and serve their communities, night and day, regardless of circumstance or weather or holidays. They sign up to protect every stranger who needs their help. They sign up, willing to run full speed into harm’s way in order to protect those strangers. They run towards bullet fire, they stand in the face of unknown dangers. As they respond to auto accidents they will risk being run over themselves. As they respond to domestic calls they will face hostile (suspects) aggravated with adrenaline who turn their aggression onto them. They will be spit on, threatened, targeted by many for their dedication to their duty despite their circumstance. They will be vomited on, stabbed with dirty needles, punched, kicked, urinated on and worse. They will wrestle drunks and drug addicts and remove scared, abused children from their homes and have no choice but to leave them with strangers of the State. And they signed up for that. Knowingly, willingly, eagerly signed up for that. What is that worth? In today’s society our officers who have signed up for so much of their own will are being subjected to so much more, and it is not just a risk, it is not just part of the job, it is not something that should be expected of them. They are being subjected to the blatant disregard for their lives. They are being subjected to a society with such poor perception of an officer’s worth that when an officer falls, it goes unnoticed. And they are not falling due to everyday risks they signed up for. They are being murdered. They are being assassinated. America needs to be awakened and ask themselves the question, where would we be without our police officers? What is an officer’s worth?”

The Victim’s Assistance Program specifically asks Meigs Countians to recognize law enforcement officers thanking them for service, “For handling each emergency without compromising competence and integrity. For being the steady voice in the storm, and using courage and compassion. Thank you for your service. Your dedication to your job and the community in which you serve and protect does not go unnoticed. Thank you for taking on the job of protecting us as individuals and the community. Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for us.”