All too often the general public forgets that law enforcement officers face risks every time they don their uniforms.
Three recent events bear testimony to this reality.
Recently SPD Officer Marcus Hines was stopped with flashing lights on I-49 to assist a stalled motorist.
His office was rear-ended at a high speed by an impaired driver.
The SPD car was totaled, and Hines was treated at a local hospital. He is recovering well from his injuries suffered in the line of duty.
At the Gemini Mardi Gras parade last Sat., a female officer made a traffic stop on the parade route on Shreveport-Barksdale Boulevard.
The driver of the car exited and then slammed the officer into her SPD vehicle choking her.
Thankfully other officers in the vicinity quickly responded and subdued the bad guy. He was arrested on multiple charges. Thankfully the officer did not suffer any serious injuries.
And then yesterday (Wed.) another female SPD officer was assaulted.
The officer responded to loitering call at the Olive/Line Ave. Circle K. When approaching the suspect, the man he punched her in the face and continued the attack punching her multiple times in the face.
Some nearby good Samaritans rushed to assist the officer who suffered minor injuries. The suspect and his companion were arrested on multiple charges.
All of these incidents are horrible.
But they are reality.
These three are not the only law enforcement victims of bad actors.
Let’s remember the challenges our law enforcement officers must deal with daily and thank them for their service.