Local Matters




 

 

I n 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week.

Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world have converged on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The Pleasanton Express has dedicated this issue to our local LEO of Atascosa County. Many local businesses and individuals are showing appreciation to LEO’s by dropping off gifts and goodies. It makes my heart happy to see so many showing appreciation. I have serious respect for LEO’s that lay their lives on the line for our protection.

I think of what a spouse of a LEO must feel every day as their husband/wife leave for work. I cannot imagine. I think of what a LEO sees on the job that stays with them for life but yet they cannot speak about to a loved one. I see how an entire profession is judged on a national level by the actions of a few.

Charles H. Webb, Ph.D said, “There is no nice way to arrest a potentially dangerous, combative suspect. The police are our bodyguards; our hired fists, batons and guns. We pay them to do the dirty work of protecting us. The work we’re too afraid, too unskilled, or too civilized to do ourselves. We expect them to keep the bad guys out of our businesses, out of our cars, out of our houses, and out of our faces. We just don’t want to see how it’s done.” I shudder to think what our community would be without our local LEOs.

We are so fortunate to have such a large number of law enforcement officers who actively give back to our communities beyond their difficult and dangerous jobs. The positive face-to-face interaction of our LEOs with members of the community can be witnessed daily in our towns.

Thank you Atascosa County LEOs for risking your life every day to safeguard our community. Thank you for going above and beyond. Thank you for being available and approachable. I know that behind your badge is a heart like ours. It is just a braver one and for that I personally thank you and am ever so grateful.

NOEL WILKERSON HOLMES is the Publisher/Managing Editor of the Pleasanton Express. You may E-mail her at nwilkersonholmes@pleasantonexpress.com.

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