Emotional tolls, ultimate sacrifices

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In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a Presidential Proclamation that set aside May 15 as National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day and the following days as National Police Week.

Our area has seen its share of law enforcement tragedies with the death of Clark County Sheriff’s Deputy Suzanne Waughtel Hopper on 1/1/11, Warren County Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Brian Dulle on 5/10/11, Cincinnati Police Officer Sonny Kim on 6/19/15, Danville Police Officer Thomas Cottrell, Jr. on 1/17/16, Columbus Police Officer Steven Smith on 5/19/16, Ohio State Patrol Trooper Velez on 9/15/16, and Cleveland Police Officer David Fahey on 1/24/17.

National Police Week is a time to remember fallen officers who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

It is a sad reminder that violent crime isn’t in the big cities or faraway places. It can and has happened right here in our back yard.

On average, one law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty somewhere in the United States every 58 hours. Since the first known line-of-duty death in 1791, more than 21,000 U.S. law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice.

So far in 2017, line of duty deaths are up 22 percent.

Policing in the 21st century has changed dramatically. Officers have taken on the role of social worker, friend, parent, brother and sister all while trying to put on a happy face and make the best of terrible situations knowing that dispatch has calls pending and they are about to repeat the process on the next call.

The emotional toll that law enforcement officers face on any given day is extreme. One moment you are helping someone solve a simple problem the next moment you are racing to the aid of an officer who is facing someone in a crisis situation.

Law enforcement will continue to change over the years but the dedication and commitment of each and every officer will always remain strong.

I would not only like to thank each and every officer at my department, but every department. Your commitment to excellence is second to none. The strain your family endures as you work weekends, holiday, night shifts with the occasion double back for court, and miss countless events in your family’s life should never go unrewarded.

To each and every spouse of a law enforcement officer, I would also like to extend my thanks to you, too.

Be safe!

Duane Weyand is Wilmington’s Chief of Police.

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Duane Weyand

Contributing columnist

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