Herald Editorial: Thank you, Master Officer Shinners
Provo Police Chief Richard Ferguson gathers himself as he speaks during the funeral of recently-slain Provo police officer Joseph Shinners held Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, at the UCCU Center in Orem. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
This past week and on Saturday, Utah County cities paid tribute to a fallen officer, our own hometown hero.
Master Officer Joseph Shinners was shot and killed in the line of duty Jan. 5 after responding to reports that a man with outstanding warrants was in a car in the parking lot of the Bed Bath & Beyond in Orem.
It is a dangerous situation that our police officers find themselves in far more often than those of us in the general public.
We are fortunate to have men and women in our community who are willing to make that sacrifice for us all.
As Provo Police Chief Rich Furguson said, “Policing is noble. It’s noble because few people are willing to do it. It takes courage and honor to face down people who would disrupt peace.”
We found the analogy shared by his brother Michael Shinners, also a police officer, during the Saturday funeral appropriate. He likened those who work as police officers as sheep dogs, and the general public as sheep. The sheep dogs protect sheep from wolves and other dangers. Sheep tolerate the sheep dog because they need its protection, but they do not like the sheep dog. But the sheep dog does its duty.
In today’s world, many do not seek to become a police officer or join a public safety department. It is difficult work, that can too often go unnoticed and without regular thanks. They, too, are human.
We echo the sentiments shared by Michael Shinners: officers need the support of our communities, just as our communities need our officers. Pray for officer safety. We can foster more respect for first responders, firefighters and police.
For the 200 men and women in the Provo Police Department, as well as Orem and other surrounding agencies, we understand it is also a difficult time for all of you. While you rely on each other, we hope you will also lean on those in the community who seek to support and minister to you. Allow the community opportunities to serve you as well.
Let us all bear one another’s burden.
To the Shinners family, we are sorry for your loss, for the grief that comes with your sacrifice, but we will forever be grateful for yours and Joseph’s contribution to making Utah County a better place to live.
As a community, we can follow the governor’s challenge to never forget Joseph Shinners by improving our “doing.” We can all improve how we conduct our lives.
