Sacrifices of our officers will never be forgotten

Today I witnessed through social media the funeral of one of Northwest Arkansas' fallen heroes and it made me think that those in the law enforcement community do not get enough credit for the dangers they face when in the field or are close to home.

On June 24, I was sitting in my office working on an article when I received an email from a friend asking if I heard of an accident involving two Decatur police officers. A short time later, I received a photo of the accident scene. Knowing all of the Decatur officers as I do, especially covering events in this town, my immediate concern was who it was and how they were doing.

Decatur officers Taylor Brunning and Luke Rosehselang were on their way to Gravette to help serve a warrant when their patrol car and a red pickup collided on a curve on Arkansas 59 just north of the Spavinaw Creek bridge. Fortunately, both survived the incident, much to my relief.

But a few days later, while on a traffic stop at a filling station, Pea Ridge Officer Kevin Apple was not so lucky and he lost his life in the line of duty. My thought immediately went out to the community and family of this fallen hero.

It reminded me of something I went through in the mid-'70s when a dear friend of mine lost her brother, a Fayetteville officer, in the line of duty. I saw just what this can do to the families of a fallen hero.

After watching the Apple funeral procession, I was reminded that there are a lot of good people in these communities, not just in Northwest Arkansas but in the nation as a whole. People lining the streets of Pea Ridge, the procession of more than 200 law enforcement vehicles, first responders and fire department personnel in one voice showing the love and fighting spirit of America -- the same fighting spirit this nation has possessed for 245 years.

I am proud to serve Decatur as its reporter. And I am also proud of the law enforcement, fire departments and first responders in Decatur, Gravette, Gentry, Highfill, Maysville, Sulphur Springs, Centerton and all the communities that make up Northwest Arkansas.

My many thanks and love to all the men and women in blue! As it is with those who serve in the military, the sacrifices of our police, firefighters and first responders are not forgotten.

Mike Eckels is a reporter for the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be contacted by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.