When you see police officers, please thank them

Last night here in Charlotte, two officers were shot and killed in the line of duty:

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officials are interviewing a person they are calling a suspect in the shooting deaths of two officers.

The two CMPD officers were shot and killed in the line of duty at an east Charlotte apartment complex late Saturday.

Officers Sean Clark, 34, and Jeff Shelton, 35, of the North Tryon Division were shot shortly after responding to a disturbance call at the Timber Ridge Apartments on Barrington Drive near Milton Road at 10:30 p.m. Saturday.

Authorities said the two struggled with the shooter in the parking lot. Eyewitness News was told both officers were shot from behind and never fired their weapons. They were rushed to Carolinas Medical Center shortly after 11 p.m.

Officer Clark died at 12:14 this morning at Carolinas Medical Center. Officer Shelton passed away just a few hours later, at 4:06.

It’s so easy going on about our daily lives to take for granted those who put their lives on the line every time they put on their uniform and badges. These men and women suit up every day, knowing it could be their last, and have to see things that the average person hopes they never see in their lifetime. So when you see an officer, make sure to shake their hand and thank them for what they do, because they are trained to take a bullet for you.

The Charlotte Observer published a list of officers who’ve been killed in action since the early days of law enforcement here in Charlotte. You can view the list here.

My condelences to the Clark and Shelton families today.