Lea Memorial Law Enforcement Dinner Planned for October

BY MELANIE BUCK –

A dinner to honor law enforcement is being planned in Polk County, organized by a non-profit board of directors and employees of the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney. The Lea Memorial Law Enforcement Appreciation Organization will present the dinner on October 4^th at the Ouachita Center on the campus of Rich Mountain Community College.

Prosecuting Attorney Andy Riner said, “As Prosecuting Attorney, I have had the distinct privilege of interacting daily with local police officers and sheriff’s deputies. As an inside source, I can report to the public that I am very proud of the job that our officers do.”

Riner explained that he receives stacks of police reports each morning and each shift an officer works, takes them on unknown journeys. “A normal shift for a police officer might include investigating a burglary or a domestic battery. An hour later, he or she may have to fight an unruly drunk, quiet a barking dog, or deal with mischievous children who come from poor family situations.”

He said that every situation an officer faces is different, but every call requires quick decision-making. “In a matter of seconds, an officer is required to decide whether the situation calls for him or her to fill the role of a social worker, disciplinarian, peacemaker, or victim advocate. Or, on really bad days, he or she must decide whether to shoot or not to shoot. I am afraid to admit that I would not want to do their job,” said Riner.

While law enforcement seems to be a more dangerous job now than ever, violence against officers is not something new to society. In fact, forty years ago this past April, Polk County lost a deputy while he was on shift. Polk County Deputy Bill Lea was sent to serve divorce papers. “Deputy Lea was shot and killed by a maniac for merely doing his job. In light of these recent events, it is a good time for our community to honor his service.”

“As I pondered these concerns,” said Riner, “I began to wonder if our officers know that they have the support of the vast majority of law abiding citizens in our communities. I wonder if our officers know that they are supported by a silent majority.” He uses the story of a recently slain Baton Rouge Officer to bring the point home. Just days before his death, the officer said, “I love this city but I wonder if this city loves me. In uniform, I get nasty hateful looks and out of uniform, some consider me a threat.” He was killed days later by a man who’s mission was to slay police officers, specifically. “Our officers should never be made to feel this way,” said Riner.

“In my opinion, it is no longer enough for ‘we the people’ to silently support law enforcement. We law abiding citizens should actively show our law enforcement officers and their families that we respect and support them. We should, at the same time, honor the memory of Deputy Bill Lea. Accordingly, I call on our community and business leaders to support the Lea Memorial Law Enforcement Dinner by becoming a sponsor.”

Sponsors will have the opportunity to support the dinner being held for Polk County Law Enforcement, to thank them for their unwavering dedication to keep our county safe. For more information on the event, check out the Facebook group: Lea Memorial Law Enforcement Appreciation Organization or call 870-389-6071. Look for more details on the banquet coming in future editions of The Pulse as the date gets closer.

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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