Cops are the real American heroes – not athletes nor celebrities, says Michael Letts

If you ask young Americans to name some of their favorite heroes, you may hear names like Patrick Mahomes, NFL Superbowl-winning quarterback. Or World Cup winner and legendary soccer star Lionel Messi. You may even get an Oscar-winning Hollywood star, Robert Downey Jr, AKA Ironman.

Perhaps it is each of their abilities to be the best of the best at what they do. Perhaps they embody what it means to be a superstar and a legend in their craft.

But do they deserve the title “hero”?

Young people often say, “This person is my hero.” Although it sounds natural and normal, it is not entirely accurate.

The Oxford Dictionary defines “hero” as, “a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities” and cites an example “A war hero.”

OK, we can agree that Messi or Downey Jr. have outstanding achievements. But many people feel hero should be reserved for those who display courage in the face of danger.

One such person is Michael Letts. He is the CEO and founder of InVest USA, one of the longest-running LEO-focused nonprofits in America. His nonprofit organization provides free tactical vests to law enforcement officers, and even other first responders, to help give them a better chance of survival.

Letts feels the term “hero” should be reserved for people like cops because they need courage to simply perform their jobs as they face danger daily. Moreover, for all that they do, they expect very little in return, if anything.

In a recent statement, Letts said, “Remember now America, we don’t pay…,” Letts abruptly stopped and continued, “I’m not going to tell you how much we pay officers! I’d be embarrassed to tell you how much we pay officers. We don’t pay them much to begin with. And they take what little resources they have and they share with the community that they believe they are there to protect.”

Another reason Letts looks at police officers as heroes is because of the messages too many celebrities push on their fans. These celebrities and professional athletes often use their platform to push their ideology onto their fans, further spreading the divide in America.

Colin Kaepernick was among the first well-known athletes to take a knee during the National Anthem, sparking others to do the same.

Other high-profile celebrities like Natalie Portman, Jane Fonda, and John Legend also publicly supported the Defund the Police movement.

They are making statements, not facing danger. The term “hero” should be reserved for police officers.

“That [a police officer] is a true American hero. Not the kind of people that bend their knee at a football game that refuse to stand for the flag or do other things,” Letts said. “Real American heroes are the people that are taking care of their communities and this is a primary example.”

And that’s exactly what a police officer does, take care of their community.

Michael Letts is the author of Truth, Lies and Control: Finding Hope in an Upside-Down World. Order your copy on Amazon today!