This week the nation is observing National Police Week.

We are all indebted to area law-enforcement officers for the high level of service they provide our community each day. 

Police officers and deputies go to work each day, sometimes putting themselves in harm’s way, in order to keep us all safe and protected. They have chosen a profession that requires a high level of training and expertise and many of them could make much more money if they had chosen another career.

Law-enforcement officers do not know what any given day will bring and they leave home in the mornings unsure of what dangers they might encounter. Something as routine as a traffic stop can turn tragic in a second.

They do not consider themselves to be “heroes.” They think of themselves as simply doing their jobs.

The officers we talk to are passionate about serving their community both during the ordinary daily routines and in rising to the challenge in the midst of violence, tragedy or even disaster. As a community, we should show our support for these brave men and women in uniform.

There are many ways to show support, not the least of which is showing respect for the work they do and the authority they must exercise when we interact with them.

National Police Week has been set aside specifically to recognize police and we think it is fitting officials have planned special events to celebrate law-enforcement agencies’ commitment to protect and serve.

Our law-enforcement agencies make our community a better — and more safe — place to live.

Thank you for your service.