Eddie McGuire for Sheriff brings you: Law Enforcement Insider

By Brandi Greenfield

Last week I had the honor of seeing Spirit of Blue come to our Judicial Building to present a pretty amazing grant, supplying our deputies with tourniquets, optics and rifles for the department. Someone I respect a great deal had made a post on Facebook about the importance of tourniquets, and I went scouring my husband’s duty belt to find his.  There wasn’t one.

He was without this lifesaving tool, and I was very disturbed by its absence.  Logan County’s Captain, David Kitchens, told me they’d received a grant from Spirit of Blue for tourniquets, so I called and asked Ryan Smith (Executive Director of Spirit of Blue) if they could help. His response was, “Mission accomplished. What else can we do?”

I nearly dropped my phone. 

This guy was in New York, didn’t know me from Adam and was potentially going to save lives in our county.  Excited is an understatement! Then, Ryan asked if I could help spread the word, not knowing I would share this information with over 10,000 of my closest friends.  At last count, I was told 12 agencies, including Kentucky State Police and Murray PD, would be benefitting from this same sort of grant. Brenda Tiffany (mama of Trooper Cameron Ponder, dessert first enthusiast, sweet tea connoisseur, and 5k-running all-star) was quite instrumental in organizing on the KSP side.  She came to our presentation, and I learned she and I have so much in common. You know that moment when you meet someone who you feel like you’ve known your whole life? That was my experience with her.  Amazing lady.  She blessed us by filling in for the wives who couldn’t be at the ceremony to present these tourniquets to our LEOs.  The families who could make it smiled as they presented their deputy with the equipment. Mayor Dotson, some off-duty deputies, my mama, a couple of Benton PD units and others from the community came to spend this moment with us.   

It was an all-around fantastic day.

I wrote a letter to our deputies that I didn’t have a chance to read.  There was a lot going on, and it was a blessedly busy day. I wanted to post it here, publicly, and I hope you’ll continue to keep them in your prayers alongside me.

I want to thank everyone who was able to make it today. It’s such a rare opportunity that we’re able to come together and celebrate our deputies but, also, spend time with them as families and present them with something special.  Granted, we hope they never have to use any of it, but special nonetheless. 

Thanks to Ryan Smith, and the Spirit of Blue Foundation, our department will be given potentially lifesaving tourniquets AND holsters to make them easily accessible if needed.  There will be new rifles provided to a few units, as well.

I think often, when we think about law enforcement, many people think about Matthew 5:9 that tells us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called Children of God.”  But, if we keep reading, Matthew 5:44 tells us to love those who are our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us.  And, consequently, John 15:13 tells us that the greatest love is seen in that a man would lay down his life for his friends.  Of course, our deputies don’t only serve their friends, and these tourniquets and rifles could very well be used to protect the same people who would see them persecuted- but that’s the beauty of integrity, dignity and service- all 3 qualities of true heroes.  They make no designation about whom they’ll serve in a John 15:13 sort of way. 

There are days when no one seems to notice our deputies’ sacrifices or actions, and their gestures are seemingly covered by the chaos around them.  Some days it’s easy to be discouraged when it seems that those who you would serve with a full heart are your greatest antagonists. 

Remember, though, that Hebrews 4:13 tells us, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” When those who work against you think they’re pulling ahead by doing wrong, it’s that same integrity, dignity and service that truly counts.  Let them give their account, and you’ll have your chance to give yours.

In case you’ve not heard it lately- thank you for your sacrifices, and those of your families.  God has truly blessed Marshall County with some of the most upstanding public servants, and we can never articulate our gratefulness for all you do. 

Be safe. Our prayers both follow and go before you on every call.

Thank you to our community for loving, and being interested in, the well-being of all our responders.  As always, your kindness is never overlooked or under-appreciated by them or our families.