Editorial: Repaying the ultimate sacrifice

A search of Oregon records found that no local emergency responders have died in action since 1961, when Wasco County Sheriff Deputy Robert Forester drowned.

Oregon State Police Trooper Bret Clodfelter, who has a road named after him in The Dalles, served here, but was shot and killed on Sept. 30, 1992, in Klamath Falls by a DUII suspect during a traffic stop.

There have been 181 recorded deaths of police officers, deputies and troopers in Oregon since 1881, about half of whom were shot.

The second leading cause of death was automobile accidents (18) and the third aircraft accidents (10).

The fire service has lost 168 in Oregon, most while battling flames and many from cardiac arrest.

Across the United States, there have been 68 law enforcement deaths the first seven months of 2016, with 130 reported in 2015 and 145 in 2014.

Forty-two firemen died in the U.S. in 2016 and 68 in 2015.

There are about 900,000 law enforcement officers in America and 1.1 million firefighters, many of whom are volunteers.

To truly consider the issue of whether emergency responders should qualify for special treatment, you have to understand the vital role they play in protecting communities.

Police departments are unique in that they provide services most people will never need, but benefit them nevertheless by keeping criminals off the streets.

Law enforcement officials are the “sheepdogs” that keep “wolves” off the street so you can sleep peacefully at night.

They ensure that people travel safely and can go about their business every day with a sense of security.

Sometimes the job of an officer requires the use of force against a violent offender. Knowing how to handle these types of incidents requires extensive training in appropriate use of weapons and self-defense.

Call 911 in Wasco County and, within minutes, you have a deputy from the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, officer from The Dalles Police Department or trooper from the Oregon State Police at your door.

These officials willingly respond to any call, even if it puts their own lives at risk.

They, like firefighters, have dedicated their careers to serving the community.

Often, the firefighters who show up to deal with a conflagration are volunteers who have been willing to undertake hundreds of hours of training to fulfill their commitment to public safety.

Not only do they learn how to battle fires, they are educated as medics.

Firefighters, whether volunteer or professional, save thousands of lives and millions of dollars a year in property damage. There are also police reservists donating their time to the community and they, like volunteer firefighters, willingly go into harm’s way.

All of these emergency responders work erratic hours and get up every day prepared to face whatever level of danger occurs.

Senate Bill 1513, which was approved by the Legislature earlier this year, appears to only recognize paid police and fire personnel in regard to the property tax exemption. That is unfortunate, but it lowers the number of potential qualifying spouses.

Taking care of the widow or widower left behind when an emergency responder dies unexpectedly seems like the least that a grateful county can do.

It’s surprising that county officials hesitate to act without first consulting the public about whether the ultimate sacrifice paid by an officer or firefighter should be recognized by a tax break for the surviving spouse.

This is a region that is very supportive of its emergency responders and some decisions fall within the purview of elected representatives.

The potential for a legal challenge cannot be paralyzing enough to stop officials from doing the right thing.

There is, after all, precedence for honoring emergency responders in the tax breaks given to disabled military veterans.

Sheriff Lane Magill, retired Police Chief Jay Waterbury and Mid-Columbia Fire Chief Bob Palmer summed up why the exemption should be granted in Wasco County with these words:

“These surviving families deserve the proper respect during the most difficult time of their lives. We believe there is no better way to honor those men and women who daily decide to sacrifice their safety and time away from their family to protect us.”

— The Dalles Chronicle