Honoring those who protect and serve

When you think about law enforcement in recent years, a lot of the narrative is negative – which is ironic considering the ones spewing negativity have relied on officers to keep them safe or help them out in times of crisis. Webster County is home of the Sheriff’s Office, along with five municipal departments covering land in the county; Marshfield, Fordland, Rogersville, Seymour and Strafford.

The men and women that make up these departments serve and protect without asking anything in return. In a time where the cost of living has seemingly skyrocketed, wages for these unsung heroes have remained the same. With national recruitment for law enforcement is at an all-time low, it’s more than commendable that the folks represented in this special section have chosen to take this career path.

For them, it’s not about the money – it’s about a duty to protect their communities and a pride in serving. Personally speaking, I have the honor of knowing a multitude of the deputies and officers in the county, and my baby brother is currently serving his fourth year with the Webster County Sheriff’s Office.

To say I am proud of my brother – of all the men and women who work in local law enforcement – would be an understatement. Something our society often forgets about public safety officers is that they’re real people with lives too. When you peel off the badge and uniform, they’re just like us with the same hopes, dreams, worries and regrets. They’re mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, with husbands and wives, and sons and daughters at home.

The thing that sets them apart is their willingness to sacrifice. Each day when they go to work, that’s the decision they’ve made – to sacrifice. To place others before themselves as they do their best to serve their communities.

The Marshfield Mail has never dedicated a special section to honoring these local heroes, before today.

As you read more about the leaders of our local law enforcement agencies and scan through the names and faces behind the badges, please keep in mind that they did not ask for this praise. Many, rather, humbly pushed back against the idea. However, I find it important to honor those who honor their oaths.

“To solemnly swear that they will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Consitution of the State of Missouri, against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that they will bear true faith and allegiance to the same…”

Smaller communities such as Conway have already lost their municipal police departments, with Niangua closing its doors earlier this year. With the ever-changing atmosphere of police presences in communities, The Mail sees the importance of supporting local law enforcement agencies.

Please take a moment to read through this section and learn more about the men leading these local heroes, and next time you see them, say thanks. They don’t get that a lot. Let them know you’ve got their six.