Those we remember...or not

By Robert Bauer

When do we begin to honor all of our law enforcement officers that die as a result of injuries on the job? It is reported that nearly 250,000 sworn law enforcement officers are dealing with the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress and moral injuries. Most are hiding behind the Wall of Silence. However, there are some that have sought help in getting their invisible wounds attended too and have found healing. These warriors have now become the advocates to encourage others to seek assistance. But for those few that have found healing, there are countless more that have found themselves in so much excruciating pain they cannot longer take it. They succumb to their invisible wounds at their own hands. Statistically, it is said every 53 hours an officer dies in the line of duty, however, every 17 hours a law enforcement officer dies by suicide. We are killing each other faster than the bad guy. 

May 13, 2018, most of us that are in law enforcement, active or retired, will travel to Washington DC to collectively gather on the National Mall at around 8 pm to honor the 128 law enforcement officers that died in the line of duty during the 2017 year; 47 of those deaths were at the hands of the bad guys, 44 of em were due to traffic-related-issues, and 37 as a result of other accidents, injuries or illnesses. These are considered In the Line of Duty Deaths or better known as LODD. Their families will travel from near and far, by planes, trains and automobile, not because they want to, there are other places they would rather be, and they would want to share it with the loved one that is now gone. But they come because it is a way of saying their final goodbyes, while a grateful nation stands beside them. There is no amount of words that can be said or given to show our appreciation or share their grief in the loss of their loved ones. The name of the fallen officer will be forever engraved on the National Law Enforcement Memorial. The loss of a life is tragic and impactful to all that are affected.

However, in 2017 there were 140 other law enforcement officers that lost their lives in the line of duty as well. But they did not die at the hands of the bad guy on the street, or in a car accident or even a deadly and insidious disease. Tragically the loss of their lives will not get their names permanently engraved on the National Law Enforcement Memorial. Why?  Each one of those 140 law enforcement officers died because of an invisible wound.  Like cancer invisibly skulking through the human anatomy, these invisible wounds are treacherously deadly. Yet, they are treatable.  These invisible wounds are the results of Post Traumatic Stress and moral injuries. They create excruciating pain deep in the spirit of man. This pain is hidden by Walls of Silence that are built with bricks of shame and guilt that contain countless secrets. As these officers suffer from deeply embedded wounds, they are marginalized by the masses with false narratives that have been established over the years. Another stigmatic wall of false narratives that included assessments of those that are dealing with the effects of PTSI as broken. weak, sick, cowards, no backbone, not a Sheepdog. The loud and insecure post on social media accounts their assessments of those that have dealt with deep spiritual wounds. These heroes with a badge condemn their own with ignorance by becoming keyboard warriors mounting up on their keyboards and pronounce judgment to an unsuspecting community

There is a saying at the Law Enforcement Memorial that says something to the effect how they died does not matter, rather it's important to remember how they lived. There are 140 law enforcement officers that died in the line of duty in 2017 that are not getting recognized by how they lived, yet they are being condemned by how they died. Their death is no less tragic than those that died as a result of the bad guy who pulled the trigger. When will we stop abandoning them even in their time of death? When will we begin to recognize ALL those that die in the line of duty and have their names permanently engraved on the Memorial Wall?

About the author: Robert Bauer is a retired law enforcement officer, a combat veteran. He has become an Author, College Professor, Public Speaker, training, and Advocate for 1st Responders, Veterans and their families that are dealing with the effects of PTSI and moral injury. He is the founder of Robert Bauer Associates a company that offers professional and personal development through webinars, seminars, and e-learning(www.facebook.com/powertochange) In addition, he is also the founder of a faith-based organization that is based in the Washington DC metro area, Warriors Heart USA. They are all about building genuine communities that offer compassion, radical hope and the path towards personal forgiveness. They act as a spiritual compass for those that are navigating through the traumatic minefields towards a more meaningful life (www.facebook.com/warriorsheartusa)

"A man's spirit is worth fighting for"