On Thursday morning a Marion County (OH) Sheriff’s Deputy was executed helping a stranded motorist.  As those of you who know us, my husband is a police officer in Columbus.  I felt compelled to write to our local papers regarding the execution of Deputy Brandy Winfield.  He is survived by a wife and 2 very small children.  Please say a prayer for this family.  I will be going to the funeral on Monday with my husband and friends.  Blessings, Tonia

Here is my letter to the editor:

Have you thanked a police officer today?

On Monday, I will have the sad misfortune of going to Deputy Winfield’s funeral.  I do not know Deputy Winfield or his family, yet we have a strong connection.  And my heart goes out to them.  I cannot imagine what they are enduring right now.  I am the wife of a Columbus Police Officer.  Everyday, I kiss my husband goodbye and hope it’s not the last.  Everyday, I pray I do not get "THE" phone call.  Everyday, my small children give Daddy 5 kisses on the cheek and one on the forehead.  I don’t know if they know all of the dangers of Daddy’s job but I know they know the importance of their goodbye ritual.  I have received phone calls about my husband being involved in an injury accident and incidents where he has been injured, threats to our home from suspects he has arrested.  I have received phone calls from friends whose husbands have been seriously injured or involved in a shooting.  I have exchanged phone calls with other "cop" wives because we "just didn’t have a good feeling" and our anxiety and fear is high.  I have made my husband dinner at 11 at night because he spent his dinner money on a hungry child who has been removed from their home.  I have stayed up until 4 in the morning because he was so distraught by a murder or the fact that he was with someone who died completely alone and was discovered 3 weeks later.  I have gone to many functions alone because he serves his community proudly.  We have spent holidays and special occasions without him.  This is the life of a law enforcement officer’s family.  We accept it as part of the calling of our spouses and part of our lives.  We proudly support our husbands.  We take care of them and let them know how much we love them. 
But I wonder, does our community support our officers?  I pick up the paper or watch the news and it seems they are quick to point out how many officers have had complaints made on them, investigations that are occuring for misconduct, excessive force and you name it yet they never publish how many compliments that officer has or how many of those issues have been unfounded.  I am asking you to think about when was the last time you thanked a law enforcement officer?  That officer is a person.  They are a Daddy, Mommy, Husband, Wife, Son, Daughter, Brother, Sister or Friend.  Someone deeply loves that person.  Everyday they put their uniform on and proudly walk out their door to protect and serve their community without thought to the risk they may be taking.
I am simply asking you, before you criticize a police officer, think about what they are doing to keep you safe.  Think about the ultimate duty they are doing for the community you live in.  And most of all, when you see an officer, say "THANK YOU".
Tonia