Help protect officers who protect the public

Jan. 2, 2004, was a tragic day for Richmond County Sheriffs Office Deputy Kenneth Burton, who was struck by a car while directing traffic around an accident scene on Peach Orchard Road. As many Augusta-area residents know, two days later he became the first Georgia law-enforcement officer to die in the line of duty in 2004. By the end of the year, four more officers from McDonough, Atlanta, Appling and Pendergrass also lost their lives in their daily efforts to protect public safety.

ON MAY 13, friends and families of these officers will be among the many thousands who gather at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., for a candlelight vigil to commemorate the sacrifices of more than 17,000 law officers who have been killed in the line of duty, dating back to the first death in 1792. This year's vigil will pay special tribute to the 153 federal, state and local officers who lost their lives in 2004.

This event undoubtedly will evoke powerful emotions for all involved, including peace officers, citizen supporters and the survivors of the fallen. But this year, I also would like to see it spark a wider awareness of the challenges facing those striving to keep our communities safe and secure.

Across the nation, federal, state and local law-enforcement agencies are struggling to recruit well-qualified officers, a problem made more difficult with the large number of U.S. National Guard personnel now serving in Iraq. Others are finding it difficult to pay for the vital safety equipment that protects officers' lives. And virtually all are striving to provide the best possible safety training in the face of tightening budgets.

So what can the public do? We can support efforts to build stronger law-enforcement forces by inspiring young people to learn about the many rewards of an exciting and gratifying law enforcement career. Although there will always be debate about the precise veracity of movies and television programs with law enforcement storylines, the popularity of shows ranging from NYPD Blue to Law and Order and CSI has been driven by the fact that law enforcement is an exciting, demanding and honorable profession.

And while they will always face dangers on the job, law-enforcement officers have the opportunity to develop significant physical and intellectual skills that are vital for fighting crime today and in the future.

We also can support efforts by local law-enforcement agencies to equip all officers with the safety devices that enhance their ability to do this work with less chance of death or injury. This includes ensuring the availability of bullet-resistant vests and supporting efforts to develop and provide less-lethal weapons, such as the Taser stun gun, to safely subdue and restrain violent criminal suspects.

IT ALSO MEANS stepping up efforts to make officers safer behind the wheel. Last year, automobile accidents were the second-leading cause of officer deaths, after gunfire. Better driver training is essential for stemming this dangerous trend. Safer automobiles will also make an important difference. Fire prevention products and safety equipment in law enforcement vehicles will reduce the risk of deaths and injuries in the event of crashes. Improved safety restraint systems that are both practical and effective will also give officers more protection in the event of accidents.

We also can form stronger and more collaborative relationships with the law-enforcement officers in our communities. Local police departments often hold town meetings to discuss public safety issues, and urge citizens to work in partnership with the police to keep their communities free of crime. Participating in these types of events enables residents to meet local officers and learn about positive efforts to address both ongoing dangers and the root causes of crime.

The public also can protect lives and property by helping to identify trouble spots where drug dealing, prostitution and other criminal behavior is prevalent. We also can do our part to stop and report drunk drivers, who killed more than a dozen law-enforcement officers and many other innocent persons in 2004.

FINALLY, WE CAN show our appreciation for the men and women who have fallen and our support for those who continue to serve by visiting the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. On the walls of that memorial are the names of more than 17,000 American law enforcement officers who have sacrificed their lives to preserve public safety.

If you can't visit, do the next best thing and offer a simple "thank you" to the next police officer you see. Do not wait for tragedy to strike to show your support for the men and women who value our lives more than their own.

(Editor's note: The writer is chairman of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. To leave a message of condolence for a fallen officer, visit www.nleomf.com.)