Sending my Deputy off to work each night is not without worry. The job he does comes with a whole list of hazards. Many of these hazards are not the ones the average civilian even thinks about. When people think about the dangers of law enforcement, they tend to think about officer involved shootings or sadly, the ambush style murders that are making the headlines today. While I do think of these, they are not my biggest worries. There are much less sinister hazards that send me into a panic if I allow them to creep into my mind.

The fears that occasionally keep me up at night are as follows (in no particular order):

Traffic accidents
Traffic accidents at high speeds
Being struck by a vehicle on the side of the highway while out with a motorist
Being stuck by a dirty needle while searching a person or vehicle
Unknowingly encountering Fentanyl and having no one there to administer Narcan

I know that this list is not likely to make you feel better, but I am sharing it to let you know that you are not alone in worrying about your LEO. We all have fears, but we also must face them. We can’t let our fear and worry win by stealing our joy. We must remember that, statistically speaking, our LEO will return home to us after each shift. Our LEOS have been trained extensively on how to deal with the situations that often bring us anxiety. I have found comfort in the phrase, “Trust his training.” I know that my LEO takes his job seriously and is always taking time to learn more about officer safety. I am certain that yours does the same.

When the worry starts to creep in and take over, find an activity that will help calm your mind. Remind yourself that the odds are in your favor that your LEO will return home to you. Turn off the news. Scroll past the accounts that share more tragedies than triumphs. I know that I often get mired down with EOW announcements because I follow so many accounts that share that information. My husband probably knows less about what is going on in the LEO world than I do, and he’s more mentally grounded because of it.

Do what brings you peace rather than fear. Some of the best advice I can give is to talk to God. He will listen. He will wrap you in his arms and give you peace. Give it all to God and remember this Bible verse: “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.” Psalms 56:3

Go easy on yourself. None of us have it all together and sometimes it’s easy to get overwhelmed with fear and worry, especially when life itself sometimes feels like a bit much with the crazy schedules of LEOS. Never be afraid to reach out to others who understand what you are feeling. I’m also more than happy to listen if you need a shoulder to cry on.

Your fears are very valid, but they should never be allowed to change the course of your happiness. Enjoy your life and embrace the many amazing parts of LEO life. It comes with so many blessings. I’d love to hear which blessings are your favorite parts of this life.

l Michelle l