BIG Appreciation Month | Day 14 of 28
Observing
Heroes In Their
Off-Time
Growing up I always had a healthy respect for police officers. Even as a child, I would check myself around an officer just to make sure I wasn’t doing something wrong (95% 100% of the time I was good though). It wasn’t until I was a young adult that I had developed a friendship with someone who was a police officer. His name was Justin Quillin. He didn’t know it, but I was constantly wondering if he was watching my moves or wondered if secretly I was a jewel thief in my off time. My misconception was that this man was laser-focused on justice and could see only the bad in people since that is what he fights day-to-day, but I couldn’t be more wrong. My eyes were opened again and again as I would meet his co-workers who came to visit our church. These men and women fight the worst in people day after day. What would cause us to grow cold causes them to reflect and temper their being both physically, mentally, and spiritually. I saw behemoth men and kick-butt women who were focused on personal growth in order to navigate gray waters and protect the community they serve. The KPD has shown our community the integrity it takes to discipline wrong-doers with heavy hearts, protect the helpless with selflessness, and serve a community without thanks (The heroes that we needed, not what we deserved [The Dark Knight reference]). I want to appreciate the Kingsport Police Department for keeping my family safe and employing some of the best people I have ever met.
To Serve and Protect
Recently, our city has experienced some heartbreaking tragedies. Those affected have been on mind a lot the last few days. How can I help them? How can I protect myself and family? These are questions I am ill-equipped to answer, however, the KPD and nearby police departments have put the tools and services together in order to do so aptly. The community, too often, may only think of police officers as they stop traffic that is either speeding or breaking the law going down the road, but this is far from the truth. The KPD officers and staff are dealing with things we won’t ever even hear about, daily. We get the opportunity to live lives unaware of the any threat as it has already been thwarted.
That is not to say this is all the KPD does. They also keep traffic moving at events, field calls of stressed parents and couples, give aid to those involved in a crash or disaster, help people rise above their addictions, and so much more. The point I want to make is that we only see a sliver of what our local law enforcement does. I want to thank the KPD and local law enforcement for all that you have done for our community, and my family.
What
A Police Department filled with the best of the best
Why
For their integrity and heart for the people they serve.
*Please note that BIG is not affiliated with the Kingsport Police Department at this time. We simply appreciate who they are and what they do for our community.
