Letter to the Editor in The State Newspaper

Law officers serve others despite danger

The recent murders of Aiken Police Officer Scotty Richardson and our police dog, Fargo, serve as a reminder to all just how dangerous the law-enforcement profession is.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund just released a report that shows that for the second straight year, the number of officers killed in the line of duty rose sharply.

In 2011, 174 officers were killed on the job, up from 153 in 2010 and 122 in 2009. There has been a 70 percent increase in officers’ deaths since 2008. The leading cause of death has been guns.

If not for the courageous sacrifice made by Fargo, we may have seen more officers and deputies killed. The suspect was waiting to ambush the deputies and police officers searching for him. He had already demonstrated his deadly intentions by previously shooting at the officers. Fargo gave his life to protect the officers.

We live in a very dangerous time, and it seems to be the norm for criminals to take lives. Drugs cannot always be the excuse. We must realize there are some very mean people in our communities who care very little for human life.
Our first line of defense is the men and women who wear the badge. They all know the sacrifice they may have to make. While others run from danger, they run to it.

Having been in law enforcement for 37 years, I am very biased toward our law-enforcement men and women. I have seen the commitment and sacrifice they make every day. What they do is not just a job, but a calling. I have also seen the pain and suffering they and their families endure when tragedy strikes on the job.
Some may say people do not care anymore, but I have seen that people do care about the men, women and police dogs who serve as that first line of defense. Citizens have reached out to the Richardson family in Aiken and our family at the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

Thanks to all those who have called, emailed, visited and supported the law-enforcement family during the recent tragedies in Richland County and Aiken. Your support is not taken for granted. You are why we do what we do.

As we begin a new year, I pray that together we keep our communities safe and that there are no more law-enforcement funerals to attend.

Leon Lott
Richland County Sheriff
Columbia

http://www.thestate.com/2012/01/04/2099977/law-officers-serve-others-despite.html