Behind the badge

What a great time in history to be a police officer.

I am a police officer for the city of Bentonville. My mother, Barb, and my cousin, Eric, are police officers for the city of Bella Vista. My dad was a police officer for more than 30 years.

I just received a text from my mother saying "Bomb squad headed to BVPD. Supposed to be a bomb in the lobby!"

My first thought? We are so used to the threat of the job that I get a text pretty much saying "hey btw..." and it's just another day at the job.

There are no frantic phone calls. Bentonville bomb squad is enroute to Bella Vista. And I bet if you could hear the phone call asking for assistance while this is all going on inside the police station it is a calm one. Doing what has to be done. Even though there may be a bomb under their noses.

Are we surprised? Not at all. We are targets. Because of our badge.

How many of my friends wake up in the morning getting ready for work and put on gear that is made to stop a bullet? Gear that is made to save our lives when someone tries to take it? How many wake up and think, "Today I could be shot, stabbed, run over, or even blown up."

How many of you would still go to work? My family does. My family by blood and badge. Every one of them. They will tomorrow, as well as every day after. Until their watch is ended.

The world has gone to hell, and something has to change.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" Matthew 5:9. Today we are peacemakers. Not peace keepers. Stay safe brothers and sisters.

We know who has our back.

Colin Shrum

Bella Vista

Editorial on 07/20/2016