In the wake of a deadly ambush on a Texas sheriff’s deputy late last month, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick this week urged residents to take action “changing the negative attitude” toward police officers, starting with respectful greetings and buying their lunches.
In a statement released Wednesday, Patrick said Harris County deputy Darren Goforth’s killing revealed “a morbid reality… about America’s negative attitude toward our law enforcement officers.”
“Police officers are judged 24/7, 365 days a year for their entire career. One mistake can get them sued, fired or killed. I want to remind Texans and the rest of our country that these brave souls are the thin line between a country of law and order and a society of total lawlessness where no one is safe,” Patrick said in the statement.
The statement echoed rhetoric frequently used by the “Blue Lives Matter” movement, which has been the police support answer to the Black Lives Matter movement. Critics have linked recent incidents of violence against police officers to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Patrick offered a tidy list of measures the public could take to “help make their job a little easier.”
From his statement:
Start calling our officers sir and ma’am all of the time. It’s a show of respect they deserve.
Every time you see an officer anywhere, let them know you appreciate their service to our community and you stand with them.
If you are financially able, when you see them in a restaurant on duty pick up their lunch check, send over a dessert, or simply stop by their table briefly and say thank you for their service.
Put their charities on your giving list.
If your local law enforcement has volunteer-citizen job opportunities, sign up.
