"It's what they signed up for" - Line of Duty Death
Every time a police officer is killed in the line of duty a piece of a community goes with him or her. Sometimes it is the newest rookie on the street or the well worn veteran officer that leaves us. Behind them there are memorials, funeral services, bagpipes played, tears of sadness, laughs from memories, salutes, fly overs, news cameras, and names etched in stone. Caskets and honor guards, roses and wreaths, freshly dug earth and granite head stones, 21 gun salutes and mounted officers; all the components of a fallen officer's funeral we know in every minute detail. Every officer knows that this tour, today's date, their last radio transmission may be their last. Every officer knows the cost, but never counts it. Every officer knows the price, and is willing to pay it. Every officer knows the sacrifice, and has already made it when they pinned on the badge. Most cops have experienced death in one form or another. Whether a fatal crash, homicide s