In my public service, I treasure my friendship with law

"In my public service, I treasure my friendship with law enforcement officers. I admire what they do and support them in every aspect of their job. I have always looked upon law enforcement officers as my friends." — Dirk Kempthorne

In the grand sweep of history, the strength of a society is not only found in its laws but in the courage of those who enforce them. Dirk Kempthorne’s words speak to a deep respect and admiration for the men and women who stand as the guardians of order, often in the face of danger and adversity. To treasure one’s friendship with law enforcement is to recognize the sacred bond between the protectors and the protected. It is a bond built not upon fear, but upon a shared commitment to the safety, stability, and well-being of the community. In these words, Kempthorne elevates the role of the law enforcement officer as not just a servant of the law, but a friend, someone who walks beside us in the battle for justice and peace.

The ancient philosophers often spoke of the virtue of those who protect the city. In Plato’s Republic, the guardians of the state—those charged with protecting the people—were seen not as distant enforcers of rule, but as those who embodied the virtues of courage, wisdom, and justice. Their duty was not to rule over others but to protect the common good, ensuring that all might live in peace. In this way, Kempthorne’s tribute to law enforcement officers echoes the ancient understanding that the role of protection is intertwined with friendship. To stand as a protector is to stand in service to all, and to do so with honor and dignity.

Look to the story of William Marshal, the legendary knight of the medieval world, who served as protector to both his king and his people. His loyalty to the crown was inseparable from his loyalty to the common folk, whom he viewed as his comrades. William Marshal understood that the true measure of a protector was not in the sword wielded but in the integrity of their service. Much like Kempthorne’s sentiments, Marshal saw his role as not merely one of power, but of friendship. He fought not for glory alone, but for the security and peace of all. His service was an act of solidarity, a willingness to put himself at risk for the greater good. Law enforcement officers, too, take on this mantle of service—not for recognition, but for the safety of others.

Kempthorne’s admiration is not just for the work that law enforcement officers do, but for their character. To support them fully, as he states, is to honor not just their position but their sacrifice. It is to recognize that the badge they wear is not simply a symbol of authority but of an unspoken promise to protect, to serve, and to uphold the principles of justice. The friendship that Kempthorne speaks of is a recognition of this deeper truth: that the work of law enforcement officers is not just about enforcing rules, but about preserving the very fabric of society, and doing so with courage, honor, and unwavering commitment.

In our own time, we are reminded that the relationship between the community and law enforcement is not always one of easy friendship. History has shown us times of division and distrust, moments when the bond between the protector and the protected has been strained. Yet the lesson remains: true friendship is not without its challenges. Just as the protector must sometimes make difficult decisions, so too must the community understand that the role of law enforcement is not to impose fear but to ensure justice. In this, the community and the officers must work together, each respecting the other’s role, each recognizing the importance of their shared goal: to create a society where peace and order reign, and where justice is not an abstraction, but a reality.

The lesson we learn from Dirk Kempthorne’s words is not just a call to recognize the value of law enforcement, but a deeper reminder to honor and support those who serve. It is a reminder that the true measure of a society is not in the laws it enacts, but in the relationships it fosters—relationships between individuals,