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It is no secret that I've been having a hard time processing the recent violence and nasty words directed toward law enforcement officials serving in departments and offices across the country. I have spoken with law enforcement officials many times in my position at the newspaper and many times as just a citizen. I have never had a negative experience with a police officer.
In fact, within the first few months of working at the Chronicle, I interviewed a deputy who helped another man pull an 18-year-old from a burning car. I interviewed Sheriff Steve Michek after he and other Wisconsin sheriffs pledged money to the victims of Hurricane Sandy, and later Sheriff Michek allowed me to tag along during Project Lifesaver training.
I have watched police officers interact with Dodgeville Middle School students during the Mock Trial and have witnessed officers step up to be leaders in organizations such as the Kiwanis and Lions Clubs. And every Christmas I know law enforcement officials that help area children by making sure they have presents under the tree through Santa Cop.
On Friday afternoon, my mother and I were on our way back from Spring Green when we got to the stretch of Highway 23 near the Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center. Someone had blown a tire and a deputy from the Iowa County Sheriff's Department was pulled over and walking in and out of the road, picking up the strips of rubber left behind by a motorist.
How dangerous, I thought, for him to be dodging traffic at the bottom of that huge hill leading into the Wyoming Valley. But it was just another day on the job for that police officer, another day of helping people and making sure motorists could safely drive on Highway 23.
It seems easy to focus on the negative actions of a handful of law enforcement officials in various departments across the country. But think of all the great police officers we have serving us in Iowa County.
I challenge you to thank a police officer the next time you see one instead of shying away or making a disgusting comment about law enforcement. Most of us truly do not know or realize how lucky we are to have such a caring group protecting and serving us each and every day.