Have you ever allowed yourself to wonder what it would be like living in Selma or some other city where there was no police presence?

I am speaking of no city, county or state protection on the streets or in the shopping areas. There is little doubt in my mind it would be a chaotic scene.

Policemen perform a public service in the community with very little fanfare or appreciation.

They are entrusted with protecting me and you, along with arresting the law breakers in our midst. This is not a job everyone would aspire to have regardless of the compensation, and that is not very attractive either.

I developed an appreciation for law enforcement and the perils of the job on my first job out of high school.

It was then I left the rural farm area and began working for the Alabama Department of Public Safety. It really began to sink in as to how difficult and dangerous this type of occupation was when I attended the state trooper school as one of the first trooper cadets on the force.

Since then, my eyes have been wide open and the respect for law enforcement officers unwavering.

Would it surprise you to know that nationally in 2013 there were 30 law enforcement officers who lost their life by gunfire and a total of 105 killed in the line of duty?

So far in 2014 there has been 35 killed by gunfire and 79 in total killed in the line of duty. It doesn’t surprise me, and it is sad to know they left wives and children behind to deal with life. I know from first hand experience the hurt and loss stays with these families forever.

We expect a lot from law enforcement officers. They are charged with keeping the peace, enforcing existing laws and protecting the public from criminal elements.

It is a war zone in some areas they serve. Yet, they are expected to be cool and rational no matter how out of control someone may be.

They have rules of engagement to follow and best not deviate one iota from them, regardless of how dangerous the situation becomes. A police shooting is automatically investigated regardless of the circumstances.

It is a fine thin line they walk and must not react unless life is in imminent danger. It is almost so strict as to prohibit firing a weapon until fired upon.

Policemen’s lives are measured in split seconds. That is about the time they have in some instances to either live or die.

How do you think you would perform under these circumstances? Would you be able to wait until you saw the flash from a revolver to respond? It could just be the last flash you ever saw.

We should support our dedicated law enforcement officers. They should be afforded the benefit of the doubt, at least until a full investigation is made. The rush to judgment, rioting, looting and demonstrating  so prevalent around our country, without knowing the full facts, is not justifiable and unacceptable.

I wonder how many vigils have been held for the 30 policemen killed in 2013 or the 35 so far this year? Have you heard of any?

Has the White House offered any condolences for any of the officers struck down by those running afoul of the law? I think not, and it is sad.

Policemen are just as much human with hopes, dreams and aspirations as any of us. We should at least have their backs until evidence proves otherwise.