“That’s what they signed up for”
I keep seeing this in response to what is happening in the world. People are widely using it as a way to justify violence and hatred towards the police. When I see it I feel a palpable ache in my chest. I feel a twinge of sadness, disappointment and confusion. I wonder if they actually have any idea “what they signed up for”?
My husband has been spit on. He’s been sworn at, yelled at and threatened. He’s been hit, kicked and pushed. He has done CPR. He has put out fires. He has dragged people out of burning cars. He has been the first on scene of car accidents. He has cut people free of their seat belts. He has applied first aid. He has been dragged by a snow mobile. He has been shot at.
HE. HAS. BEEN. SHOT. AT. !!! 😢 My eyes well up every time I think about that scary night, how I felt in those hours. How every sound, even the sound of my own heartbeat, became so loud it was deafening. Wondering how he must have felt and if he was okay... He has seen people at their worst and he has given them his best. I have sometimes wondered how he continues to do what “he signed up for”.
My husband is a police officer.
He signed up because his life experiences caused him to recognize that there is evil in the world and that good men and women are needed to fight against it.
He signed up because he recognized those who were called before him and the safety afforded to him because of their sacrifices.
He signed up because he has an undeniable love for ALL people, even those he has never met.
He signed up because he wanted to give back.
He wanted to make a difference and he wanted to BE the difference.
He signed up knowing very well that taking the oath to serve and protect might mean that some day he pays for your protection with his life. This is a reality that we live every single day. So yes, we know, he signed up.
He signed up to keep you safe. He signed up and while you sleep, he patrols. He signed up to protect you from seeing unimaginable sights. Sights he will never forget. He signed up to help you make better choices. He signed up to get you the help that you need. He signed up to stand between you and your abusive partner. He signed up to run towards the evil that everyone else runs away from. He signed up to be a human shield. He signed up. He signed up and he is living his oath to serve and protect every single day. He signed up and he is making a difference.
While you are ranting, raging, bashing him and his fellow officers and ignorantly saying “that’s what they signed up for”, I think to myself, “Yeah, he signed up! What have you done?”
-A police wife Amy Lee