When police lose support, we lose morale and good people like Larry Henderson
The tragic death of Hamilton County Sheriff's Deputy Larry Henderson is a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by our law enforcement officers every day. I had the honor of working alongside Larry for 33 years. He wasn't just a colleague − he was a dedicated public servant who showed up for this community daily. His loss cuts deep, not just for those of us who knew him, but for every citizen who has benefited from the service of officers like him.
The reality of modern policing is this: Our officers are expected to make life-or-death decisions in fractions of a second, all while wearing a target on their backs − not just from violent offenders, but too often from public opinion and unfair scrutiny. That scrutiny is necessary in a free society, but must be fair and informed. Increasingly, it is neither.
More: Remembering Hamilton County Deputy Larry Henderson and his 4 decades of public service
More: Cincinnati honors Hamilton County Deputy Larry Henderson who was killed last week
This environment has created a chilling effect on law enforcement. Officers are hesitating. Potential recruits are walking away. Departments across the country, including ours, are struggling to fill vacancies. That decline didn't start yesterday − it began in earnest after the events surrounding George Floyd's death and has only accelerated.When we lose public support, we don't just lose morale − we lose good people. The kind of people like Larry Henderson. And when that happens, our communities are less safe.
More: Who are the Hintons? What we know about man charged with killing a Hamilton County deputy
We must change the narrative. We must allow officers the space to do their jobs while holding them accountable with fairness, not with hostility. We need to stop pretending every use of force is misconduct and stop vilifying those who've sworn to protect us.
If we don't support law enforcement now, the profession will continue to erode − and with it, the safety and stability of our entire community.
Jay Gramke is a former chief deputy of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office and lives in Whitewater Township.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Police, law enforcement will falter without public support | Opinion
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