I’m saying thank you to our law enforcement officers today

I must admit I did not know today was National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Founded in 2015, this one got by me.

But now that I know, I want to add my voice to those publicly acknowledging the nation’s law enforcement officers who are willing to risk everything and endure unspeakable horrors to keep the rest of us safe.

I recently got a ticket from a Susanville Police Officer for a California stop, and ignoring any good lawyer’s advice, I freely admitted my wrongdoing when the officer asked me if I knew why he stopped me.

But when he lit me up with those red and blue lights, I don’t think he had any idea who I was. In my case, there was no danger — I was just a local newspaper guy rushing to the courthouse because I was late for the start of a trial.

But I could have been a bad boy with evil intent, deadly weapons, a carful of drugs, a I’m never goin’ back to jail attitude, and that seemingly routine traffic stop could have turned profoundly deadly.

These brave officers also put themselves at risk as they respond to a variety of calls — armed robberies, domestic violence, bomb threats, arrest warrants on wanted individuals, you name it.

And working as a reporter, I’ve experienced the soul-searing scenes these officers encounter responding to violent crimes and automobile accidents. Some of those events I’ve witnessed still haunt me whenever they cross my mind.

Here’s the bottom line. When we call, they answer. When we have an emergency, they are there. Every single time. Regardless of the circumstance. Without fail. We can count on them in our moment of need.

I hope you’ll join me in offering a sincere thank you to each and every one of these brave public servants who willingly risk their lives for people they don’t even know simply because they signed up for that duty.

So today, I humbly say thank you, thank you, thank you to one and all.