This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Law enforcement officers go to work every day willing to take a bullet for us. This week, Salt Lake County Unified Police Department Officer Doug Barney took a bullet for us. He confronted a man who was obviously going to kill anyone who got in his way. Officer Barney died protecting and serving his fellow men and women.
Police officers do more than just protect and serve. They also sacrifice for us. Officer Barney is an example of what law enforcement officers do for us. They live every day with the kind of love that is willing to sacrifice for others and to die if necessary. The Greek word for it is agape. It means the greatest love. It was what Jesus was talking about. Police go to work knowing that they could face criminals and not return home and they do it everyday. That kind of love is rare.
Officer Barney was an 18-year veteran. The experience that he and other veteran law enforcement officers bring to their jobs can't be replaced by a new police academy graduate. Law enforcement lost more than just one officer. It lost years of experience and training.
Gov. Gary Herbert said (about Officer Barney): "Everyday, we send our men and women in uniform into harm's way so that we may live in peace and safety. ... We are reminded that we will never be able to thank them and their families enough for the sacrifices they have made."
The governor is right. Our police go to work every day willing to take a bullet for us. They protect, serve and sacrifice. They deserve respect and support. The Legislature and local governments should ensure that the service and sacrifice that law enforcement give us everyday is recognized and respected. Officer Barney and other law enforcement officers in many cases have been saddled with medical bills that leaves the families in a financial bind. They deserve better medical insurance that ensures that the families of officers are fully covered and don't have to resort to taking another job to make ends meet.
Utah also loses many officers with 20 years of experience due to our retirement system rules. When Utah changed the retirement rules several years ago, it resulted in a dramatic decrease in the number of 20-plus year experienced officers. That kind of result can negatively impact crime prevention. Rep. Rich Cunningham, R-Salt Lake, is sponsoring several bills that ensure our experienced officers are given more respect when they come up to their 20-year time in service and they decide to retire. Twenty-year experienced law enforcement officers are valuable, and the questionable retirement rules shouldn't end up costing Utah valuable crime fighting experience.
Doug Barney was just like every other officer who wears a badge. They are all willing to take a bullet for us. That point should be remembered every time that you meet a cop. When you see an officer, remember the sacrifice that they face everyday, and thank them for their service.
George Chapman is a former candidate for mayor of Salt Lake City. Craig Carter retired from the University of Utah and is active in ADA and East Bench issues.