The Life Of A First Responder

A Letter to BLM: If the Tables Were Turned...

Dear Black Lives Matter members,

(A/N: Please read the whole letter. Thank you.)

If the tables were turned, would you lay down your life to protect someone in danger? I'm sure your answer is "Yes." right now, as you sit in your safe comfortable home. But think about it. Honestly now.

When it comes down to it, none of us truly know, unless we've already done it before. To tell you the truth, I don't know what my action would be for sure. I've never had the chance to find out and hopefully never will. Because we have heroes all across this country who have and if necessary will put themselves in harm's way to save a life of a stranger. Those are the kind of people who believe that ALL lives matter.

Members of Black Lives Matter, could you lay down your life for a stranger, as cops do all the time? Do you have that same love to die for a friend, a stranger, or even an enemy (a police officer) to save their life?

Sure, I know because of your skin color, you might fear police right now. The same goes for the police. I know that many of them feel the target on their backs right now. Just like you have families that love you, police officers are no different. Just give them the chance like you want them to give you the chance. Give them some trust. Just like you claim most Black Lives Matter members are not violent, the same goes for the police. Only the media magnifies the brutality cases, and even then, they might not give all the facts. Don't judge one officer on his actions, before you know the whole story.

Running towards gunfire, while everyone else is running away... Making yourself a human shield for a stranger... Kissing your wife and kids goodbye before heading off to one of the most dangerous jobs, knowing all too well, it could be your last... The fact that they do this with sometimes little pay to support a family, or even voluntarily is just amazing! It's not natural.

Police officers make life or death decisions in a split-second. You talk about it and what should have been done for years. Meanwhile, that police officer can't sleep, because he's trying to figure out what he could have done differently to avoid pulling that trigger. His next shift is coming in just a couple of hours, but he's lying awake. He will have many nightmares over that, developing PTSD. But he will keep doing his job, hoping to save lives.

Why would someone choose to become a police officer if they want to kill people? It's coming to the point where they're putting themselves in harm's way just to put on a uniform and walk out the door. Why would they go through all the blood, sweat, and tears of training if their intentions were to kill people, especially when keeping all of the police officers there are in America in mind? I'm sorry, but that just doesn't make any sense to me. Humans are not robots. Everyone is their own person, making their own decisions in life. A handful of officers that were involved in real police brutality situations won't make all of them automatically the same way.

Who would risk their life for people they've never seen before, and for someone who hates them and wants to kill them? The answer is a police officer... A hero.

All I want you to do is think about what they do every day to protect you and other people in the community, regardless of skin color. Appreciate what they risk for YOU and thank them.

Sincerely,

A police supporter