As I watched the news this last week and saw of a police officer being shot and killed in the line of duty, my mind couldn't help but think of the officers I have gotten to know over the last year. Jamie Buenting of Rockwell City was just doing his job, responding to a scene when he was sniped off from inside a house. He was stolen away from a wife and a son and a daughter. It sounds like something you would see in a movie or hear about from a big city but the reality is, it happened in a little town smaller than Tama, and smaller than Toledo. I think we all ought to take a little time to think about the local law enforcement officers we have here in our community, and their families. The spouses they leave at home and the children they kiss good bye when they go on duty. I can't help but think of the son and daughter that lost their dad last week, and how their lives are forever changed. It only takes one psycho to change a lot of lives forever.
I must say I am a little ashamed because my first thoughts were a bit cynical when I heard the news of a police officer being killed. I couldn't help but wonder, since he was in such a little town, if he had all the resources and training and equipment he deserved, to do what he was doing. Fortunately it sounded like he did. Then I found myself wondering if our officers have what they need- the proper equipment, training, support that they need. If law enforcement is like a lot of other industries, then you are only as good as your equipment and training. I hope the County and the local police departments and personel all have the very best equipment, support, training and experiences they need to be safe and do the best and safest job humanly possible. I have really had my eyes opened to just how possible it is for a tragedy to occur even in little towns or a county like ours. I just wanted to pay a little tribute to all of the local law enforcement we have here in Tama County. From the deputies to the cops, I guess I never realized how real the threat is for all of you. I hope this letter would garner a little attention for you and your families and the risk you all take, and how your loved ones and spouses are aware of that threat on a daily basis. I hope everyone reading this would take a step back and realize how 'for granted' we take our local officers and then try to envision themselves or their own loved ones in that position, when I do that I start thinking about how I can make them safer or more prepared or let them know that at the very least we try to understand the sacrifices they make. It's nice to live in an area where our biggest worries are recycling dumpsters, burning bans, nuisance property and dogs etc.... but I can't imagine what everyone would be thinking if it was one of our officers or deputies that had been shot and killed last week. We've got something to be very thankful for that it wasn't one of ours.