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Our media has been flooded with stories about the worst situations in law enforcement.  With all the stories showing the bad side of law enforcement, it’s good to have a story that talks about officers that go all out to help those in need. We hear of countless trauma and drama with the tragic incidents that killed Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, and many others. In making matters worse, drive-by shootings are killing children, who were innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire, or having nothing to do with the intended activity, being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Even if not in the wrong place, and not seeking trouble, somehow trouble finds them.  So when a story provides some good news for a change, I can’t help commenting on it.

The story appeared to me in a Fox 8 alert that led me to read more.  The story was about a Georgia state trooper named Nathan Bradley.  He came to the rescue of four children in a big way, after their parents died in a car crash.  Not only did he take the children out for a night of treats – which ended up being more than gathering candy from different houses; he gave them a tour of where he worked, and fed them dinner, showed movies, and then let them spend the night.   He started a fund to help the family, informed their grandmother in Florida of what happened, and they worked together to hold the news of their parents’ death until later to keep from ruining their Halloween night, not only then, but for future years as well.

The actions of Trooper Bradley, on behalf of the children, show a shining example of what can best be involved in protecting and serving as they do every day.  The job has its hazards, from dealing with dangerous situations on the highway, to aiding searches for missing persons, and dealing with offenders – some of them hardened criminals and others just having a bad day – and with law enforcement under the current microscope, we should consider the lighter side not often talked about.  Who knows how many more stories we may find like this, that can breathe new life in true believers seeking stories of good deeds being done.

There may be several similar stories we have yet to hear about.  Perhaps if we hear more about these types of stories, we can change the face of society in our time.  We can leave behind cop bashing, and reserve it for those that deserve it.  We can squash talk about being a snitch, and start the investigative path that brings killers and thieves to justice.  Maybe we can show our children how they can be superheroes in a real way.  Even if they don’t have superpowers that can break boulders or smash speed records, they can employ the superpower any of us can use: courage.  We can make a difference, when we do something to help.