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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories State tests show a mixed report card The sorry state of McNeal Medford teenager indicted on attempted murder, assault charges Summer ends Thursday for Hellgate jetboats Police seek help in Eagle Point poaching case Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Medford teenager indicted on attempted murder, assault charges Police seek help in Eagle Point poaching case Officials warn of scam involving fake invoices for school supplies Mandatory evacuation ordered in Happy Camp Complex fire Former Medford gymnastics coach arrested again on child pornography charges Politics and Elections Mark L. 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NW Raw Kelly's Crepes Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Medford teenager indicted on attempted murder, assault charges ... Police seek help in Eagle Point poaching case ... Officials warn of scam involving fake invoices for school supplies ... Medford teenager indicted on attempted murder, assault charges ... Police seek help in Eagle Point poaching case ... Officials warn of scam involving fake invoices for school supplies ... Kent Bush: Law enforcement's routine acts of bravery taken for granted By Kent Bush More Content Now MailTribune.com By Kent Bush More Content Now Posted Sep. 9, 2014 @ 7:11 am By Kent Bush More Content Now Posted Sep. 9, 2014 @ 7:11 am » Social News The police are easy targets. Politically, it only takes one mistake to cast a shadow on everyone who wears a badge. One incident of racism, abuse or misconduct and people are willing to throw out all of the babies with very little bath water. You can be mad that cops are being armed like soldiers, and there is reason to question whether we want local peacekeepers to look like warriors. Depending on what you believe from the incident in Ferguson, Missouri, an officer might have shot an unarmed young man for being black in public. That is a favorite stereotype of officers, and so many great men and women get painted with that brush when, in reality, nothing could be less appropriate. An officer in Edmond, Oklahoma, used his badge as a weapon to help him carry out a number of rapes. But does every officer abuse his or her power? Who would even think that? The reason police officers make news when they do something wrong is because they are truly the exception. It is the “dog bites man” aspect of the story that gives it news value. But every day, thousands of men and women put themselves in harm’s way to make sure others are safe. Police have a tough job. Sometimes they have to write tickets to control traffic. They arrest people who break the law. Everyone knows the guy who speeds by them on the highway deserves a citation. But no one thinks they deserved one when they were the guy speeding by other drivers. No other job has the intrinsic danger of being a police officer. Every domestic violence call could be a fight they have to break up. Sometimes weapons are involved. But they don’t get to sit in the car and wait for the situation to calm down. They have to go in and restore peace. That is so easy to say. It isn’t often that easy to do. Add to that the fact that every traffic stop is potentially life threatening. In Butler County, Kansas, last year, a deputy walked up to a car in the early morning hours of Labor Day to check on a situation. Thanks to a protective vest, he survived the shot that was meant to kill him. An officer in Topeka, Kansas, last weekend wasn’t as fortunate. A traffic stop in the middle of the afternoon led to a murder. Instead of investigating this crime, Officer Jason Harwood became a victim. Harwood was the kind of officer every chief wants on the force and every city wants on the street. He had been injured in a traffic accident in 2010 but still returned to duty. Now four years later, he leaves behind a widow and two children because a felon with multiple convictions didn’t want to end up back in jail. It is easy to feel outrage when a police officers abuse their power. But those instances are so rare. The acts of bravery and dedication to keeping people safe are so pervasive that they are almost taken for granted. Hopefully, this incident and many others like it will remind people why little boys and girls see the police as heroes. By Kent Bush More Content Now MailTribune.com By Kent Bush More Content Now Posted Sep. 9, 2014 @ 7:11 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. 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