I propose a toast to all the men and women patrolling a beat and keeping the public safe during the Christmas season. And another toast to their families for their support and sacrifice.
I normally make reference to my special operations training, years of experience, knowledge, education, and or accomplishments to preface the observations for reflection made herein. That is because in this day and age, some people will only give your opinion consideration if you can preface it educationally or experientially. However, this year I write as a concerned father worried for the social future that awaits his children if society’s leaders don’t step up and guide those they are responsible for. Who are society’s leaders? (A non-exhaustive list) Fathers, Mothers, older brothers, older sisters, Grandparents, Uncles, Aunts, Teachers, Coaches, Pastors, and all other men and women of the cloth, Influencers, and those who get promoted at their place of business.
At this time, when everyone has taken Grace and freedom to the extreme of overindulgence and abuse, many have seemed to forget something.
Neither are free.
For Grace, somebody named Jesus Christ had to come to this earth, take on all our sin, be accused and beaten into a bloody pulp for spiritual and physical crimes He didn’t commit. That may lead us to believe that Grace is quite possibly the most significant expression of LOVE.
And it was out of that Love that He voluntarily forfeited His dignity. So we could once again be in God’s favor and good Grace.
As for freedom, several hundred thousand officers nationwide sacrifice time with family and friends, sleep, health, well-being, and countless other irrecoverable treasures to keep their communities safe.
Countless others paid the ultimate sacrifice, facing the evils of this world so that the public could rest a little easier.
Many people in this new age probably have no clue that there are people actually putting their lives on the line and dying to protect the freedoms that they enjoy every day and have taken for granted
The underscore I hope serves as a backdrop for this short article is that we should be grateful to our police because police protection is not a right or a privilege owed to us. So we must stop acting like it. In fact, the US Supreme Court (in 2005) ruled that police officers do not have a constitutional obligation to protect people. That sets an amazing precedent for gratitude.
I am reminded of an article that I published on December 25, 2023, and would like to quote it if I may, as it still applies today and provides helpful context.
It is titled: In remembrance of me.
“The leader that comes to mind during this season is Jesus of Nazareth.
Irrespective of whether you believe that He was a prophet or the son of God, I believe that at minimum we can all agree that He was a smart visionary and an awesome leader.
As all leaders before Him and after Him, he led by example. He did what he did so that people would learn the way, as all leaders today are commissioned to do.
He knew people were lost and made it a daily practice to guide them through key issues such as conflict resolution and time management, as today’s leaders should.
For the record, I personally believe in Jesus Christ, but you don’t have to to appreciate this message and wish.
The lesson we will focus on in this article is His lesson of gratitude, taught particularly well during the last supper.
Jesus raised his glass of what was believed to be wine, and said the following solemn words (paraphrase): “Drink this in remembrance of me.” And after that, they broke bread, saying, “Eat this in remembrance of me.”
What does that mean?
He was literally referring to the sacrifice that He was about to make for them and us.
He was literally alluding to the different trials and tribulations that He went through so that they and we wouldn’t have to suffer. He was also, (through implied teaching), if we pay close attention to the intricacies of the lesson, reminding all generations to be grateful to those who sacrifice for them and make intentional time during fellowship or while in solitude to express gratitude for all those who have contributed to their well-being.
Everybody in this world owes their position in life to a predecessor who laid the foundation and went the extra mile, hoping their descendants wouldn’t suffer as they did.
Every time that you wake up in the morning and your car’s not on bricks; Every day that you and your family enjoy a picnic in the park, on the mountainside or at a theme park free from crime; Every time that you need somebody to bail you, your family or friends out of harms’ way; Every time that your car is stalled on a dark street in the middle of the night and the soothing sight of blue approaching lights makes you feel safe; Every time that you enjoy the peaceful freedoms that you enjoy, with the confidence that when you call we are there; do so “in remembrance of me.”
Who am I in this context?
I am every man and woman who puts on a uniform, badge, and gun and provides for their family by protecting yours. I am every law enforcement officer who gets stabbed trying to protect your belongings. I am every law enforcement officer that is left alone to their own devices when they go above and beyond to protect the public against perpetrators that play the system of technicalities.
I am every law enforcement officer who is commissioned to do what is reasonable and necessary to defeat the community’s criminals, only to be left to fend for themselves and chastised when doing so. I am every law enforcement officer who gets ridiculed and insulted by the media for doing and criticized for not doing.
Every law enforcement officer who takes a bullet for you when you are under fire by an assailant is one. I am every law enforcement officer who detours attacks on your integrity that you don’t see because they get to them before they materialize.
I am every law enforcement officer that chases the perpetrator that just stole your wedding ring into the dark, eerie tree line to recuperate what you hold dear. I am every law enforcement officer who risks life and limb to get to you before you lose yours.
Every time that you enjoy safety on a city street, public place, private establishment, or in your house, do so, “in remembrance of me.”
As you gather around the table with family and friends this Christmas, raise your glass and make three toasts: One for “me” that risks his/her life on a daily basis for your safety.
The second one is for my brother’s and sister’s who lost theirs, so that you may live on and enjoy yours. And the third (if you believe) for the sacrifice that Jesus made on your behalf.
According to the Officer Down Memorial page, the total line of duty deaths to date is 27,146, and in 2025, there were three line of duty deaths this month and 94 total this year.
A moment of silence for those officers who lost their lives in 2025 (whether health or duty related), it is no less of a loss to their families, friends, community, and brothers and sisters in law enforcement (List from ODMP).
From my family to the families of those brothers and sisters who have fallen, we raise our glass now and always in appreciation and remembrance of you.
An officer is only as strong as the family that stands beside them.
Merry Christmas
Romans 12:9–18
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Eric Anthony Aguiar LLB
