Tag: lawenforcement

Members of the Thin Blue Line are all part of a vast team that defends citizens from those who choose to commit crimes. All are Peace Officers, sworn and not sworn. They have different titles: Police Officer, Deputy, Corrections Officer, Bailiff, Warden, Federal Agent, Park Ranger, Parole Officer, Probation Officer, Traffic Officer and the list goes on and on. They all have their specific areas of responsibility. Each are experts in their own fields and together, they keep law and order throughout our nation and in our communities. They all enforce laws, whether it is Federal, State, or Municipal and whether they agree or disagree with them.
No one Peace Officer can do everything themselves, that is why they are a part of something bigger: the Thin Blue Line.
For many of us, it is a calling. I know it was for me. I grew up knowing that I didn’t want an office job, I wanted to do more to give back to my community-to help and protect others. I want to make a difference, a positive one.
I consider all members of the Thin Blue Line my family. Like all families, not everybody gets along. You see in movies and TV shows all the time, the local cops and the feds fighting over jurisdiction and so forth. A lot of that does exist, some think that their job or title is more important than that of everyone else’s. Some departments don’t get along with others. Just because some don’t see eye to eye, they usually maintain their professionalism. You don’t see an all out brawl seen in the movie “Supertroopers” between the local PD and the Highway Patrol. Although there maybe differences that exist, all of that goes out the window when it matters- we all have each other’s backs.
We all support one another when in need. That is evident when we any of us fall in the line of duty. Memorials for Officers are attended by no less than hundreds of members of their department and many from outside agencies. I’ve been to more memorials than I can remember. I make every attempt to attend a service to pay my respect to the fallen officer, who paid the ultimate sacrifice for those they served. It is very important to me because I feel like I’ve lost a brother or sister, even though I may have never met them.
We are all one team, a family, with the same goal: keeping our country and communities safe, while making sure that we all go home to our own families.

The term ‘Sheepdog’ is used quite a bit lately. You may have heard it from members of our military or law enforcement. I, myself am a Sheepdog.

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman’s book On Killing defines what Sheepdog are. www.killology.com/sheep_dog.htm

Simply put, it describes the Sheepdog as the protectors of the Sheep, from the Wolves. In our society, the Sheepdogs are personified in our military warriors who take the fight our enemies abroad and our law enforcement officers, who protect our citizens from criminals.

The Sheepdog Mindset is to always be prepared to face the evil that we know exists. In order to stop the wolves, they must be able to use their teeth.

I have no military experience and never served, therefore I could only speak about my point of view as an officer. I can say that it is not easy being a Sheepdog, you are almost always reactionary because you’re there to protect, not instigate. In today’s world, the level of violence is rising and those who commit those acts have no regard for anyone besides themselves. The criminals are armed with the latest technologies, whether it be electronics or weapons. We need to modernize our own equipment in order to protect ourselves, making us effective against those who are bent on doing harm to others or ourselves. The Sheep, however are sometimes intimidated by our own weapons and equipment. The are afraid because they are not familiar with them or the real threats we face on a daily basis.

I have the right mindset. To those that don’t, all I can say is: failure to plan is planning to fail.

If we’re not effective Sheepdogs, then the Wolves will have free reign over all.

To all my fellow Sheepdogs, stay safe!