Law enforcement officers and first responders put their lives on the line every day to safeguard our families and communities. Sadly, some of these brave men and women never return home.

In light of the tragic incidents here and throughout the nation, I recently spoke with my children about some things that I think we should all keep in mind.

Police play a vital role in an orderly, civil society. In fact, they are the very symbol of order in a civil society, and an attack on one of them is really an attack on all of us.

We place our sacred trust in our law enforcement officers, and it is important to remember that the overwhelming majority of them meet or exceed our high expectations. It is equally important to hold accountable the few bad actors who abuse or break that trust.

Our nation has citizens who feel left out, left behind or discriminated against. We should not dismiss their concerns. Rather, we should listen to these citizens and address their concerns so that no American feels left behind.

If we allow violence to be the answer to our problems, we will not have a society worth defending.

Unfortunately, our Southwest Michigan community has now joined places like Dallas and Baton Rouge in shock and grief following the murder of police officers.

At the time of the incident at the Berrien County Courthouse, I was just a block away at my constituent service office. I was saddened for my friends and my community, but when I looked out my window, I was proud to see the professionalism and outright heroism of our law enforcement officers and first responders.

They rushed toward the courthouse without regard for their personal safety. Ultimately, two honorable court officers lost their lives.

Joseph Zangaro was a retired first lieutenant of the Michigan State Police who had served at the Berrien County Courthouse as chief bailiff for 13 years. Ron Kienzle was a U.S. Army veteran and a retired sergeant of the Benton Township Police Department who had worked as a Berrien County bailiff for the past 10 years.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with them and their families. We are blessed to have amazing and selfless officers like these who serve and protect us. May God speed them home and may God bless the men and women who serve our nation in uniform.

 

Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, represents Southwest Michigan.