LODD

It's so incredibly easy to get complacent on the streets, especially when you're working a boring shift in a boring town. Days seem to blur together and pretty soon you're just going through the motions.

One day a cop gets killed and its like a bucket of ice water thrown in your face. Unfortunately, cops get killed all over the country every day. I read the articles, shake my head and sigh before clicking the next link. It doesn't do them the justice they deserve but that's just the way it goes. It's a little different when it's a cop in your state. Suddenly, it's a little more personal. The reality of everything hits home and its not a good feeling.

I worry about getting killed in the line of duty. I worry because I've seen the comments on the news sites left by readers. For the most part they offer condolences, prayers, and well wishes. I say for the most part because you'll always find people commenting about how when a cop gets killed, it's a news event, but when their homie is killed by a rival rock slinger, nobody pays much attention. You get the people calling us pigs and saying that "one dead cop is a good start." My Mom and Dad shouldn't have to read that.

I worry for my friends, both within my department and those I've made over the years in other departments. They're all good people. They don't deserve to be killed while doing their jobs.

Finally, as the funeral draws near, I find myself wondering if so many police officers would attend my funeral if I were to lose my life. Would they come from surrounding cities and states? Would ordinary people line the sidewalks as my casket drove passed by? Would they comfort my family? I hope so, but you can't ever tell until that time comes and by then it is already too late.