By Archie Boan
In a solemn reflection, Ernest Freeman has penned a heartfelt tribute in honor of Liberia’s law enforcement officers who have been injured or lost their lives in the line of duty. His message comes at a time when law enforcement personnel across the country continue to face increasing risks while upholding law and order.
Freeman described the sacrifices of Liberia’s police and other security officers as a reminder that the peace, safety, and stability enjoyed by citizens are not free, but rather earned daily by “those who patrol our streets, enforce our laws, and stand as guardians of justice.”
“It is not a crime to serve your country,” Freeman wrote, stressing that law enforcement officers dedicate their lives out of belief in service and the protection of citizens—“children, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, and their properties.”
He questioned why officers are often targeted for merely carrying out laws they did not create. “Why are law enforcement personnel targeted when they are enforcing laws that they did not make?” he asked.
In his tribute, Freeman highlighted the multiple roles of law enforcement: from maintaining public order and protecting lives and property to investigating crimes and deterring wrongdoing. He called them “the shield of society, the frontline defenders of democracy, peace, and security,” warning that without their sacrifices, “law and order would crumble, justice would falter, and the vision of a stable Liberia would remain out of reach.”
Freeman also touched on the painful reality officers face, noting the emotional weight of responding to protests where they may even encounter their own family members among demonstrators. “Imagine responding to a protest as a law enforcement personnel and you meet your own relatives in the protest throwing stones,” he wrote, describing the moment as both heartbreaking and deeply human.
To the injured, Freeman expressed gratitude for their courage, describing their sacrifices as “etched into the story of our nation.” To the fallen, he declared their legacy “eternal” and their names “written in Liberia’s book of honor.”
As part of his message, Freeman called on Liberians to embrace a culture of support for law enforcement officers through respect, protection, prayers, and love. “Rest in peace, our fallen heroes. Stand tall, our wounded warriors. Your service will never be forgotten, and your importance to Liberia will forever be cherished,” his tribute concluded.
