The most vivid memory that I have from my childhood is of my father. He had just walked in the door from a long night of “catchin’ bad guys.” He sat down on the floor next to me and pulled out a can of Shoe Black and an old rag, and began shining his work shoes to wear the next day. The polish smelled like new tires and vinegar.

Police officers work 50 plus hours a week and make a measly average of roughly $28,000 per year. They have little time with their families, sometimes due to the long and unfortunate night shifts.

They put themselves in dangerous situations where physical abuse is frequent. They are also ostracized for their career choice and are constantly abused verbally.

Officer Darren Wilson was doing his job Saturday the ninth during a hot August afternoon. He was responding to sick calls and robberies, typical stuff. Until he encountered the suspect Mike Brown, which, as we all know, led to Brown’s unfortunate death.

There is no dispute that Officer Wilson shot and killed Michael Brown, but Wilson left the scene with severe injuries. He took many blows to the head and was in a dangerous position, and fired his weapon in self-defense.

Officer Wilson’s life will never be the same. He, his wife, and his children will be receiving death threats for years to come.

His family will probably have to uproot their lives and relocate in order to stay safe. It is unlikely that he will be able to continue his normal career in law enforcement.

If it were my father in that situation, being beaten senseless by a man who had just been involved in a robbery, I would have him respond the same way.

At the end of the day, an officer just wants to keep himself safe, his city safe, and come home to his family.