To the Editor-

In the wake of what is going on with law enforcement officers, I think it really is time to come together and make peace. Soon, no one will want to become an officer in fear of getting hurt or killed, at even a higher risk than normal.

Today, on a Domestic Violence Victim’s Page on Facebook, they talked about stopping police brutality. They took their focus away from domestic violence victims and made it about stopping police brutality. But, my question to them was, when an abuser is beating someone, who do the victims call? OFFICERS have lost their lives responding to domestic violence calls in order to save the victims and their families. And they do it without giving it a second thought.

I look around at the fine men and women in law enforcement who serve our community and it breaks my heart knowing how many people have ill feelings towards them and they don’t even really know them. Officers are faced with making split second decisions and instead of thanking them people are killing them. They serve us and keep us safe every day. There is going to be a time when there are no officers because the fear of the job outweighs the benefits and then where will our safety lay? Who will you call for help? Walk one shift in an officer’s shoes and you will see what challenges they face.

In their personal lives, they are at high risk for divorce, suicide and alcoholism, not because they want to do those things, not because they choose to do those things, and not because they wear a badge to show power and control, but because they are heroes who want to help others so they risk their lives and their personal lives to help others.

The tragic things officers see all the time are heart wrenching, yet they continue to show up for their shifts every day ready to protect and serve you and I — and our friends and families.

Instead of stirring the negative pot or killing cops, thank them, appreciate them and don’t label them all the same. There are a few bad apples in every company, but you can’t and/or don’t label the whole company as bad for a few people’s actions.

It’s time to stop the violence and time to make peace. Believe me, officers do not start their day with the mindset they want to shoot someone. It’s the opposite, officers’ lives are often drastically changed when faced with that situation, and not for the better! It takes a tool on them physically and psychologically. Yet, they continue to do their jobs and show up every day. Let’s help them and speak up with the positive things they do! Let’s thank them when you see them.

Courtney Kostuchowski
Stevens Point