Why is it considered a tragedy of extra proportions when a Law Enforcement Officer, or especially a member of our armed forces, gets hurt or dies?
Because the life of a human being has been lost, regardless of their "job". BTW, using your logic, we should not feel sorry for butchers who cut their hands off, or road workers who were ran over while at work, etc.
It is their job, after all, to put themselves in danger to protect the rest of us. For that reason, I give the brave people who protect my way of life, whether it be from my fellow citizens (cops) or from foreign aggressors (soldiers, etc), the utmost respect and gratitude.
Speaking from an LEO standpoint, their job is to "proctect and serve", not neccesarily to kill themselves for the public, that is why many of us consider it a "tragedy".
However, if they get hurt or die, well they were just doing their job. Sure the person responsible is reprehensible, and should be prosecuted and persecuted. But, presumably, since this is a free country, the victim was an adult of sound mind and body, who made a decision to take on the role of protector (again, a decision to be lauded). They presumably knew what they were getting into (if not they are still a hero, but just stupid).
9/11, that's a tragedy. A mom killed by her ex-husband, that's a tragedy.
Once again, since someone decided to enforce the law as a career, it doesnt mean that they want to die doing it, which is why it is a tragedy.
A police office killed in a shootout with a kidnapper? Eh, unpleasant, but not anywhere near the level of the above two. A soldier killed when his helicopter is shot down by the enemy? Uh, that's what happens in a war. It's not senseless. The victims are not "innocent." So why the major outpouring of attention when a person whose job it is to endanger themselves so that the rest of us are safe, dies? And why when presumably there are also several other violent deaths of people by equally horrific means who are NOT intentionally placing their lives on the line?
As for your "kidnapper" example, the officer was doing his job by enforcing the law(i.e taking kidnapper into custody, and if he gets killed doing his "job"x then yes, it is a tragedy(IMO of course). As for the soldier example, although it is sad, I might have to agree with you when you say "War is War".
This has puzzled me for some time now.
To all current and past members of the armed forces: the statements above are precisely why I am respectful and grateful. I recognize you for your choice of job; not the fact that you do it. I do my job. I expect you to do yours.
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