The members of the Ridgeland Police Department are a special breed, people passionately devoted to a profession that is more of a calling than a vocation.

They go where others fear to go, put the safety of the community before their own, and serve with dedication, compassion, purpose and integrity.

It is a life of service to others they have never met, of days that start as quiet and routine and without warning turn chaotic and violent. A life in which you're never sure if the end of your shift will find you in your car going home or in an ambulance speeding to the emergency room. Nothing can be taken for granted.
They have wives, children, mothers and fathers. They have dreams and goals and look forward to a long and peaceful retirement. But they do not shrink from their duty.
They see the best and worst of us. They confront despair, cynicism, and seemingly insurmountable challenges. But still they carry on.

It is difficult to fathom the strength, courage and commitment that propel these officers out the door each morning. Perhaps it is because while they face incredible difficulties they are also privileged to participate in some of society's greatest moments -- seeing good men and women stand up to those who would do them and their neighbors harm-- people willing to take risks for each other. They experience the grateful nod of appreciation from someone they helped, and feel the awe of children who want only to follow in their footsteps.

Perhaps it is because they respect the law, they want to help others and reduce the suffering of those in pain. They want right to prevail over wrong, they know the importance of the thin blue line.

I can't presume to know what motivates these guardians of peace to go through that door, but I am forever grateful that they do go through.

I don't mistake the officers dedication to uphold the law for profiling, I appreciate all they do to make Ridgeland a safer place to live.
Thank you Chief Woods and I commend the officers for the wonderful job they do.