A Powerful Image
Nowadays, it’s not easy being one of the men and women wearing blue. So much of their services require putting their lives on the line for little to no public recognition. Nonetheless, it is one of the occupations that receive the most criticism in society since officers are supposed to embody what we envision as responsible role models. With the currently anti-police sentiments infectiously spreading, there are some who are taking this into their own hands to show support of our wonderful ladies and gentlemen wearing blue.
A photograph released by the wife of an Indianapolis police officer shows her two children kneeling in prayer for their father’s safe return home. The image has captured the attention of many people and has caused people to discuss the issue of law enforcement violence across the United States.
The depiction is that of the officer’s daughter wearing a black-armored vest sitting down on the left-hand side of the lawn curled on her knees in prayer. Her black cap conceals most of her face and expresses her shadowy thoughts. On the right, we have the officer’s son who is wearing what looks like a police standard uniform top along with a trooper’s hat that is also concealing the majority of his face.
The photograph has become viral ever since it was posted on social media by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. The caption that was given read, “Praying their father and all police officers return home safely.” It has since then been shared and liked thousands of times.
Anti-Law Enforcement Sentiments
The image also relates to responses garnered by protestors against the recent climate of law enforcement. Recent attacks and shootings in Dallas and Baton Rouge have left many deeply disturbed and has created concern amongst citizens.
Jim Gillespie, a Patrolman from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, said, “As a police officer in Indianapolis, it does send a message of hope and a reminder of the attitude that the majority of citizens have for us, which is a supportive one”.
The photograph has at least created some sort of inspiration amongst those in the front lines.
The Police Chief Troy Riggs said, “I’ve never seen 30 years the level of violence officers and the number of people that have condoned violence towards officers,” It truly is disheartening when someone who has been in the field for that much time says he has just encountered a new low.
The brazen behavior against law enforcement would garner some positive responses as well. For instance, there was a heartfelt moment between two daughters of officers killed in the Dallas attack and a 9-year-old little girl who was generous enough to purchase lunch for the neighborhood officers in Detroit.
A New Hope
Moreover, the image posted of the children praying has accumulated a little short of four-thousand shares during its first 24 hours of it being posted on social media. Jim Gillespie added that it is “a humbling image that will not soon be forgotten.”
Gillespie ended with saying that, “It shows again, that we cannot let the actions of a few dictate how the community as a whole feel about the police,”
No matter the odds, these children have displayed incredible courage in the face of morbid adversity. It proves yet again that some faith remains unbroken and can be the only thing keeping some people together in harsh times.
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