It's National Law Enforcement Day, Time To Thank An Officer

(WWJ) The roads are bad this morning, which means police are out in force, helping stranded motorists, sorting out complicated crashes, saving lives and calming fears.

It's just another day in metro Detroit.

From homicide to lost pets, scandal to tragedy, theirs are the shoulders you lean on, the uniform you look for. And today's the day to thank an officer for all they do.

It's National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Anyone who wants to join in can wear blue, post a message on Facebook, thank an officer you see out and about, mail a letter or send a card to the local precinct.

National statistics show there are about 780,000 officers in the United States. And tensions are high in some communities after waves of violence directed at cops in the wake of incidents where unarmed people were shot.

Two officers in Brooklyn were shot to death in their patrol car recently, by a man reportedly bent on avenging another shooting.

Metro Detroit cops are more alert than ever, and aware of the dangers around them.

"A simple traffic stop could become tragic," Detroit Police Chief James Craig said recently about the dangers officers face every day.