To the editor:

It may seem truly old-fashioned to the young people of today, but after 50 years I still recall with clarity and pride the day in June 1966 I first pinned that beautiful silver and blue shield on my chest. My life was irrevocably changed for the better. As a member of the Michigan State University Department of Public Safety I was now a peace officer! In an instant my mindset became crystal clear; As with all my fellow police officers and sheriff’s deputies I was now committed to serve and protect my fellow citizens under the provisions of the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of Michigan and to help them live in peaceful harmony within the law.

It was truly remarkable how, my previous response to an unexpected “bump in the night” suddenly altered from one of apprehensive reserve to one of responsible aggressive investigation of the unknown. Henceforth, like every officer, my automatic response on behalf of my fellow citizens was to provide immediate protection and to confront an irregular situation without a moment’s thought to my personal safety.

Today the role of the officer and deputy remains unchanged. He is still there to keep the peace and to help us all to live in harmony within the law. However as we all well know, his personal safety is now under direct assault by what can only be considered vengeful assassins bent on creating mayhem. Now is the time for upright law-abiding citizens to unify in the protection of our police officers; to reassure them that we do appreciate their efforts to serve and protect and that we have their backs covered. We can demonstrate our steadfastness with them by greeting every police officer and deputy sheriff we meet with a kind word or by giving him a friendly smile and a wave of the hand as we pass on the road.

Give them the “blue wave” – right on!

Andrew Murtagh

Rabbit Bay