How to make a difference: Let's make sure the good cops keep on protecting and serving their fellow human beings

I did not know Ogden Police officer Nate Lyday, but I know this: In the midst of the sort chaos, unrest and turmoil that has me, personally, struggling with genuine feelings of anxiety, I am comforted by the idea that there are brave men and women who run toward danger while others are running the other way from it. Even in today's divisive climate ... ESPECIALLY in today's divisive climate.

Officer Lyday, whose funeral took place yesterday in Ogden, Utah (a city that has come to mean so much to me), protected and served. And he gave his life doing so, responding to a May 28 domestic disturbance call. He was only 24 years old.

Twenty-four. Those of you who, like me, are much older than that, consider of what lay ahead of him had he not lost his life at such an early age. Think of the people he could have helped; the lives he could have saved. The good he could have done.

It breaks my heart.

Nate Lyday is laid to rest: photo credit: Standard-Examiner

Now, let's get this straight: I am not so naive as to believe that my experience, as a white male in his 50s, has been the same as everyone else's. I am also not so naive as to think there aren't cops out there who have no business wearing the uniform. I am very much sympathetic to the cause of equality and the need to eradicate the kind of police brutality that killed George Floyd. But as I have noted here before ⎼ and please know, I mean this from the core of my soul ⎼ there are many, many more good than bad. And if you believe otherwise, you're the one who's naive ... or perhaps blinded by the same kind of hate you claim disgusts you.

And furthermore, if you're unable to grasp the difference between a legitimate protest and a riot that destroys other people's business and property (including that owned by African-Americans) ⎼ if you're cool with "protest" signs that say things like "give pigs wings" and "the only good cop is a dead cop" ⎼ well, you should know the difference between you and a racist cop who kneels on a person's neck while he begs for his mother is negligible.

An example of divisive, disgusting, pre-judged hatered 

Now, getting back to Officer Lyday: The world needs good men and women to keep the peace; there's just no getting around it, sorry. Oh sure, you can call for defunding police departments, but be careful what you wish for. In a world that becomes more politically charged by the day, and often hour-to-hour, this is not fight even the most liberal of politicians wants. And even if defunding were to actually take place, then what? You may hate the idea of men and women in blue uniforms, but as the expression goes ... who you gonna call when you need help?

Officer Lyday responded to a 911 call from a woman who feared for her life. And he was killed because he went to help her. He was not one a power trip, he was on a trip to help keep peace; beyond that, to render aid.

Does this make you want to make a difference as a peace officer?

Now think about this: Suppose there's a young man or woman out there whose desire to protect and serve is pure and strong. There are no racist feelings or a lust for power. This desire to do good comes from a good place, deep within, just as reports say Officer Lyday's did. He or she may well have thought of a career in law enforcement, and in fact, would be an asset to any police force. And yet maybe the anti-cop sentiment, the taunts, the calls to incite violence, and the overturned smoldering police cruisers now make them think otherwise.

I certainly can't speak for everyone here ⎼ nor am I trying to ⎼ but I truly want justice and I yearn for peace, and so the way I see it, I want to make sure the good ones keep running toward danger.

The ones like Officer Nate Lyday.