Unfortunately these days, law enforcement deaths have been happening all-too-frequently. In the past 24 hours alone, 11 officer have been killed. In 2010, line-of-duty deaths rose 40% from 2009 statistics, and 2011 is getting off to a rocky start. I am praying for all of our law enforcement officers out there, as well as our first responders, firefighters, and anyone else who runs to the face of danger while the rest of us are running from it.

Glenn, I agree with you that we should find out how to donate to donate to local LOD death funds to help support the families and children of the fallen. God knows America owes her public safety professionals every bit of gratitude we can muster. And we must forever shun those violent extremists, left or right, communist or anarchists, who still target LEOs (or as they still call them “pigs,” which is totally disgraceful).

If you do nothing else this weekend and this upcoming week (hell, for the rest of your lives while you’re still standing), please see how you can help with families of fallen officers, and as important, when you see an officer, make a concerted effort to shake their hands, tell them how much you appreciate them, and implore them to be sure and wear their vests.

Yes, there are a few officers who stray and go bad, but by and large, most cops are decent, caring people. They deserve our respect and thanks, because without them, there would be nothing to stand between us and the marauding masses of criminals who would surely roam the streets without fear, robbing, raping and pillaging at will.

Some folks would prefer to not have ANY cops around, but those same folks are the ones who don’t hesitate to call 911 when someone breaks into their house, steals their car, or commits any crime against them. Then, all of a sudden, the cops aren’t so bad after all. In my experience, however, that appreciation is ususally short-lived. So it is up to good and decent people everywhere to pick up that mantle of gratitude, and pass it around in abundance.

God bless our troops, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders. They are our front lines of defense in America, and we need to start treating them with the requisite respect wherever it is merited.