Proud to Serve

Not quite two months ago, in mid-March, a U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officer and his dog were gunned down in North Carolina. A life-long criminal, suspected of having just murdered his own parents, fled into the woods, then ambushed Officer Jason Crisp and Canine Officer Maros as they tracked his trail. While there was an impressive outpouring of support from the entire community there, Jason’s wife and two young boys are left with holes in their hearts and their home that no words will ever fill. There was no reason for the two officers’ deaths except that another man decided to kill them.

For most of us, the passing of an officer so far away probably seems irrelevant. And yet, perhaps, like me, you have, or have friends and family, that visit National Forests in other places. Whether camping, or hiking, or working on National Forests, we all depend on the safety provided by law enforcement officers. This safety comes not just in the form of enforcement, but as searches for lost persons, provision of directions and advice, and rescue during adverse weather. U.S. Forest Service officers spend MOST of their time helping Forest visitors, not issuing tickets. It can easily be one of our own relatives/friends that is aided – in North Carolina, in Michigan, in Wyoming, anywhere …

As is often the case, this safety net of law enforcement presence includes federal, state, county and sometimes local officials. Media rarely carries the thousands of stories of daily cooperation between agencies. Sometimes, the agreements are formal; most often, they are the willingness of one officer to risk his life in defense of another, even if they don’t work for the same level of government. We are part of that network here, with county deputies and state wardens routinely checking campgrounds, picnic areas, roadside rests, and trailheads to assure visitors that assistance, if needed, is readily available, and responding to requests regardless of the location or cause. Such events are so common that I suppose they aren’t really “NEWS”.

As a society, we adopt laws and ask men and women, whom we mostly do not know, to enforce them on our behalf. By their presence, state troopers maintain a reasonable and prudent speed on highways that protect our loved ones from being mangled by the reckless. County and local police patrol for those that might want to burglarize our homes and businesses. State game wardens ensure that hunting and fishing opportunities are equitable for all – that everyone has the same chance at acquiring their game. Federal officers ensure we can pursue a wide variety of pastimes and commercial interests, including the ability to log timber, graze cattle, take clients on guided trips, and recreate on our personal time.

May 4-10 is National Public Service Recognition Week – a time to honor the women and men who serve our nation as federal, state, county, and local government employees. I would like to offer special thanks to those that are proudest to serve as law enforcement officers. They are probably, by far, the least paid for the sacrifice they offer. They respond selflessly at all hours of the day and night, leaving holiday celebrations and family gatherings to help someone else’s family. They work in the worst weather conditions because, well, that’s when accidents are most likely, and worst. And they are on duty everywhere.

Godspeed Officers Jason Crisp and Maros; you made our country safer and better for the rest of us.

 

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