Take The LEAD In Appreciating Law Enforcement Officers

On January 9, nationwide we celebrated Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (LEAD), a day set aside to recognize our country’s law enforcement officers, at a time when law enforcement has received repetitive negative attention.

Each day 780,000 police officers across our country put on a badge and go to work knowing they may face extremely dangerous situations, knowing they might not return home at the end of their shift. Being a law enforcement officer is not just a job; it is a calling.

Each year 100-200 officers die in the line of duty, 50,000 officers are assaulted, 14,000 officers are injured, and over 300 officers commit suicide. Let’s give special acknowledgment to our law enforcement officers this entire month. We at AAST, as a LEAD partner, encourage you to do 3 simple things:

1. See an officer? Thank an officer. Or show appreciation with a kind gesture, such as buying their lunch.

2. Write a brief note to your local state police/highway patrol office. Most have a Facebook page where you can post a note of appreciation.

3. Visit the AAST Facebook page and post a single sentence with a positive comment or experience about state troopers: www.facebook.com/statetroopers. We call our nation’s citizens to action in support of law enforcement. Those citizens who appreciate law enforcement and are discouraged about the negative attention are asked to show their support in these easy, yet meaningful ways.