While we celebrate Independence Day this week, the people of Iraq celebrated their first "National Sovereignty Day." That is due largely to the brave men and women of the U.S. military who serve our country and the world in such a proud and exemplary manner. They prevailed against a deadly and elusive enemy abroad.

I especially want to thank the volunteers of Tennessee’s 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment for their service, past, present and future. They are the only enhanced Armored Cavalry Regiment within the National Guard, and one of only two in the country. Tennessee is the Volunteer State and this fine regiment has carried on that tradition honorably and effectively.

While we acknowledge the good work our military does in safeguarding freedom around the world, let’s not forget the men and women of law enforcement who do the same here at home. They knowingly and willingly put themselves in harm’s way every time they go on duty in order to safeguard the freedoms of all U.S. citizens in their communities and jurisdictions.

BCSO deputies face the potential for violence every day. Routine traffic stops, routine patrol, answering calls, investigating crime, serving warrants, protecting the courts, housing prisoners - any of these situations can turn deadly in an instant. We read about and we’ve seen evidence of it, here at the BCSO, in neighboring communities and across the country.

Some may contend that law enforcement actually restricts freedom because they lock people up in jail. In fact, the only freedoms restricted by law enforcement and the courts are the freedoms of those who choose to break the law and endanger the lives and well-being of others. It’s true there aren’t many freedoms for a person who is confined to a jail cell, but that is the price of lawlessness and making bad choices. Law enforcement does not restrict the freedoms of law-abiding U.S. citizens; rather, law enforcement protects and even enhances those freedoms.

BCSO deputies and law enforcement officers all across the country are dedicated to safeguarding freedom for law-abiding citizens ~ freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from fear of harm, freedom from unreasonable search and seizure, freedom of assembly, freedom of self-defense, freedom to travel the roads unmolested, freedom from terror attacks and freedom to select and even deselect elected representatives, locally, state-wide and nationally.

So, in addition to my heartfelt appreciation to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, I extend my appreciation, also, to the men and women of law enforcement. My prayer continues to be for the safety of our peace keepers abroad and here at home. May God continue to bless the United States on this, our 233rd Independence Day celebration.

To find out more about the BCSO, visit us on-line at: www.bradleysheriff.com. You can also call us at (423) 728-7300, or write us at: 2290 Blythe Ave., SE, Cleveland 37311. If you would like to contact me personally, email: comments@bradleysheriff.com