ANALYSIS/OPINION:

Law enforcement officials nationwide are under attack.

Judged by the actions of a few, the great work of many is being overlooked as targeted attacks continue to plague our brave men and women in blue.

So far in 2016, we have already witnessed 32 officers lose their lives to non-accidental gunfire, up over 100 percent from this time in 2015.

The ruthless ambush of five Dallas police officers, including a transit officer, earlier this month was the single largest incident causing police fatalities since the September 11th terrorist attacks.

Before the Dallas ambush, four or more law enforcement officials were left dead in a single attack only about 10 times in the past 100 years.

Only 10 days later, we came close to making it onto this list again when three Baton Rouge police officers were targeted and killed in Louisiana.

Not only are we well on our way to the deadliest year for police officers in recent history, but the continued anti-law enforcement rhetoric will likely lead us onto this list once again before the end of the year.

We cannot let this blatant violent assault against our law enforcement officials continue.

Our brave police officers come from all backgrounds.

They are of all ages, races, genders and creeds, and put their lives on the line each day to protect our families and our communities.

These men and women are not only living in danger, but they are not receiving the respect they deserve.

In Alabama, a Taco Bell restaurant refused to serve two police officers during their meal break before requesting that the officers leave the establishment.

And, in Ohio, a police officer was hospitalized after eating at a restaurant that served him a sandwich filled with glass.

Enough is enough.

The disrespect and audacity of the actions of these Taco Bell employees and the person responsible for putting glass in this Ohio officer’s sandwich represents an anti-law enforcement rhetoric that is held by too many.

Law enforcement officers can no longer be held accountable for the bad actions of very few in their profession.

It is not the American way to hold the family of a criminal responsible for his or her actions.

So, why are Americans doing this to our law enforcement officers?

It is time to stand strong with our men and women in blue.

I stand by them, will you?

• Madison Gesiotto is a staff editor for the Ohio State Journal of Criminal Law. The author’s views are her own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Ohio State Journal of Criminal Law.

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