Let's Show Our Appreciation for These Courageous Public Servants

Law enforcement officers protect and serve our community 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year. The least we can do is take one of those days to express our appreciation for their sacrifice.

National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day will be observed on Thursday, Jan. 9. I hope you will join me in speaking up to support the courageous men and women who devote themselves to public service. They have voluntarily chosen a challenging profession with many significant demands, both for themselves and their families. They willingly put themselves at risk in the normal course of their duties and make daily sacrifices on our behalf.

Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) has designated this day since 2015 to positively support the 900,000 law enforcement officers in America. Since then, a number of organizations have joined the cause, including the FBI National Academy Associates, the Fraternal Order of Police, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Officer Down Memorial Page, Law Enforcement United, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the International Conference of Police Chaplains, the National Troopers Coalition, and many others.

Here are a few ways that each of us can show our appreciation to law enforcement officers during Law Enforcement Appreciation Day:

• Change your profile picture on social media to the image provided at 
    www.facebook.com/nationalcops.
• Wear blue clothing in support of law enforcement.
• Send a card of support to your local police department or state agency.
• Share a story about a positive law enforcement experience on social media.
• Ask children to write letters in support of law enforcement.
• Participate in Project Blue Light by proudly displaying a blue light in support of law enforcement.
• Participate in a Blue Blood Drive by giving blood to the Sleeves Up campaign:  https://sleevesup.redcrossblood.org/campaign/sleevesup-for-c-o-p-s/ 

Most importantly, thank a police officer when you see them.

Tim Garrison is the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri