National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

Nevada Daily Mail

With recent national events making law enforcement officers' job more difficult and even more dangerous, the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy Associates and other organizations promoted a National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day to be held Jan. 9.

"It's a nice thing," Nevada Police Chief Graham Burnley said of the day set aside to show appreciation for law enforcement officers. "It's been a rough year for law enforcement."

While Memorial Day honors those killed in the line of duty and National Police Week later in the year honors police officers, Burnley said this is the first time he has heard of a national effort to show appreciation to officers.

"I hope that it starts a positive interaction between the community and law enforcement," Burnley said.

Vernon County Sheriff Jason Mosher said the men and women in law enforcement, because of the nature of their jobs and the circumstances in which they come in contact with people in, often do not realize the positive influence they have on the community. The day of appreciation will give members of the community an opportunity to remind those officers and thank them for their good work.

"In light of recent negativity directed toward law enforcement nationally, there is a need to show law enforcement officers that our citizens recognize the difficult and sometimes impossible career they have chosen," states a release from the Concerns of Police Survivors organization, which helped organize the day of appreciation.

With recent ambushes of and attacks against police officers as well as an increase in officer deaths while on duty when that number had decreased in previous years, Burnley said he agrees that members of the community should look for opportunities to encourage and thank their law enforcement officers.

But despite the negative sentiment toward officers in other parts of the country, Burnley said Nevada residents have only been supportive of their local police department.

"I do feel very blessed because the Nevada police does have so much support locally from our residents," Burnley said. "Unfortunately it's not that way everywhere in the country."

The National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is an opportunity for Nevada and other communities to support those officers, who Burnley said often only experience one good event per year that keeps them going in their difficult job.

Even in the last few months, residents have already responded to national events involving law enforcement by expressing their gratitude to Nevada officers by thanking them verbally and even by taking care of the check for a meal, Burnley said.

"It's very satisfying," Burnley said of when an officer is thanked for their work. "We are the first line of defense in our country. There are so many tragedies around our country that are going on right now with the things that are happening, that I think a vote of confidence and kindness from our citizens makes the officer feel good about doing his job."

Burnley recalled in November when a more local event ended in the death of a Cedar County deputy. At that time, citizens stepped up to support and encourage local officers.

"I think when you have a tragedy like that, the good people rally around the police agency," Burnley said.

Mosher said four members of the sheriff's office were injured in the line of duty, but all four returned to work "because they believe in what they do, and that is protect and serve."

"They are resilient and when they are called, they will respond no matter what the threat," Mosher said.

Because of devotion of the law enforcement such as is found in Vernon County, the FBINAA and COPS organizations encourage citizens to participate in the appreciation day by thanking officers they might see, wearing blue clothing or sending a card to the local police department or other law enforcement agency.

"I think the good people of the community are already doing this," Burnley said, and asked that those residents continue to find ways to thank the officers.