A poignant letter from a police officer explaining how hard the job can be is going viral for being so brutally honest, showing us a different side to their lives
Future City Fourways shared a powerful post about a police officer’s life in the field of duty. The letter is powerful and shines a light on what it is like working day and night to protect and serve.
This letter applies to all the men and women across the world that dedicate their lives protecting to the people. For that, we are grateful and thankful. The police officer that wrote it has to stay anonymous but the words are too brilliant not to share.
Read the letter below:
I have pulled dead, mangled bodies from cars.
I have lied to people as they were dying.
I said you are going to be fine as I held their hand and watched the life fade out.
I have held dying babies. Bought lunch for people who were mentally ill and haven’t eaten in a while.
I have had people try to stab me. Fought with men trying to shoot me. People spat on me called me useless and incompetent while keeping my cool…
I’ve been attacked by women while I was arresting their husband who had just severely beat them. Been called insensitive as I arrested your child for dealing in narcotics while he or she was supposed to be in school… reminding you, as a parent, is to blame as you are not involved in his or her life.
I have held towels on bullet wounds.
Done CPR when I knew it wouldn’t help just to make family members feel better.
I have torn down doors, fought in drug houses. Chased fugitives through the streets… got shot at in hostels…
I have been in high-speed car chases. Almost losing control as road users just don’t move out of the way… rolled a car or two…
I have been in crashes.
Been squeezing the trigger about to kill a man when they came to their senses and stopped. Waded through large angry crowds by myself.
Drove like a madman to help a fellow officer. He or she was attacked while trying to protect and serve… Let little kids who don’t have much sit in my patrol car and pretend they are a cop for their birthday.
I have taken a lot of people to jail. Given many breaks.
Prayed for people I don’t even know. Yes, and at times I have been “violent” when I had to be. I have been kind when I could.
I admit I have driven to some dark place and cried by myself when I was overwhelmed. Helping clean blood at a farm murder being blamed for a hijacking because where were we not. Knowing I just came from a murder scene.
I have missed Christmas and other holidays more than I wanted to.
Every cop I know has done all these things and more for lousy pay, exhausting hours, and a short life expectancy. We are humans too we feel too…
We don’t want your pity, I don’t even ask for your respect. Just let us do our jobs without killing us.
I have loved, cried… fought the demons in my sleep…. don’t judge me, allow me to serve and protect that’s what I’m good at…
Thank You SAPS members that fight protect and serve daily…
by 