I Am (a Police Officer) Poster

I AM - a tribute to police officers. Written by Samantha A. Cole ⁣ ⁣ I am a number, carved in metal and pinned on my chest.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am one of the dutiful who work 24/7/365, missing holidays and important moments in my family’s lives.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am one of a handful of family members who followed in my grandfather’s footsteps. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am one of few childhood friends who chose the same career path.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am one of a group who trained, studied, and sweat together.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am one of the proud who swore to uphold the laws of the land, help those in need, and protect others from danger.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am one of the loyal who defends those same laws whether or not I agree with them.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am one of the honoured who wears my country’s flag on my sleeve, knowing one day that same flag will be draped over my coffin.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am one of the masses who call each other brothers and sisters, not of blood, but of the heart. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am one of the feared, by those who choose to do harm to their fellow man. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am one of the respected, by those who understand how hard I work to keep them safe.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am one of the envied who can honestly say “I love my job.”⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am one of the despised because of the extremely small percent who damaged the public’s trust.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am one of the misunderstood, by those who have never walked in my boots.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am one of the hated, by those with narrow minds, little conscience, few morals, and who think the laws do not pertain to them.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am one of those who are looked upon with awe by children who want to grow up to be like me.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am one of the brave who run into danger while others run away.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am one drop in a sea of blue that spans the farthest corners of the earth.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am one of the thousands that walk the thin blue line knowing every day may be the one I don’t go home to my loved ones.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am one of the heartbroken who stand shoulder to shoulder, saluting the fallen while trying to hold back my tears.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am one of the saddened who either took a life or could not save one despite every effort.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am one of the mourned who died defending the rights and lives of people I never knew.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am one of the remembered, my name etched in stone with those who went before me.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am a Police Officer.⁣⁣ ⁣ Copyright ©2018 Samantha A. Cole⁣