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"I have pulled dead, mangled bodies from cars. I have lied to people as they were dying. I said you are going to be fine as I held their hand and watched the life fade out. I have held dying babies and bought lunch for people who had a mental illness and hadn't eaten in a while. I have had people try to stab me and fought with men trying to shoot me. Women have attacked me while I was arresting their husbands, who had just severely beaten them. I have held towels on bullet wounds. I did CPR when I knew it wouldn't help, to make family members feel better. I have torn down doors and fought in drug houses. Chased fugitives through the woods. I have been in high-speed car chases. Foot chases across an interstate during rush hour traffic. I have been in crashes and been squeezing the trigger about to kill a man when they came to their senses and stopped—waded through large, angry crowds by myself. Drove like a madman to help a fellow officer. Let little kids who don't have much sit in my patrol car and pretend they are a cop for their birthday. I have taken a lot of people to jail and given many breaks. Prayed for people I don't even know. Yes, and at times I have been "violent" when I had to be. I have been kind when I could. I admit I have driven to some dark place and cried by myself when I was overwhelmed. I have missed Christmas and other holidays more than I wanted to. Every cop I know has done all these things and more for lousy pay, exhausting hours, and a short life expectancy. We don't want your pity, I don't even ask for your respect. Just let us do our jobs without killing us." Thank You, Police Officers of #America!