Watching the line

The term "thin blue line" along with the symbol often seen on a flag, a bracelet, or bumper sticker has become a common association with law enforcement around the country. Although it has been around for a while, it has become more popular in recent years and is used by members of law enforcement, their families, and those who support them. But what exactly does the thin blue line mean?

Some sources say the Thin Blue Line originated in the United Kingdom but it is believed to be Errol Morris' 1988 documentary "The Thin Blue Line" about the killing of a Dallas Police Officer, Robert W Wood that made the term more popular in the United States.

Although many people use the symbol in support of law enforcement, many do not understand what the symbol means. The symbol is a simple horizontal blue line with black above it and black below it. The area above the line represents the public, while the bottom section represents the criminals. The thin blue line is what separates the innocent from the criminals.

I have said in the past there are two distinctive reasons someone gets into law enforcement. The first one is: I want to wear a gun and badge so I can tell people what to do. The second one is: I want to wear a gun and badge so I can serve my community by protecting the innocent from the evil in the night. The latter is what we would refer to as "watching the line."

Everyone knows there are some bad apples on any tree, and law enforcement is not immune to that fact. But most police officers I have ever met or worked with have something built inside them that wants to protect those who cannot protect themselves. It is what makes them go against their normal instinct of running from danger and instead running towards it. It is what gives them the courage to go to work day after day, knowing that each one could be their last.

This year 85 law enforcement officers have already lost their lives while serving their communities, and gun related deaths of law enforcement is up by 50 percent. Each one of those officers could have decided to work in some other field, one that did not require running to danger, and they would still be here today. But even through the terrors that first responders face every day, it is always worth it if there is a chance to save an innocent life or stop someone who would cause harm to others.

So what does the "thin blue line" mean? It means someone will be watching, day or night, for the wolves to cross that line. And when they do, we will be waiting, we will watch the line.