Wednesday, November 19, 2008 9:33 AM CST

Dear Editor,

I'd like to offer a few thoughts regarding Scott Robbins and his tenure as Chief of our Ashland Police Department.

As a member of the Ashland community, a volunteer Police Chaplain, and Scott's friend, I have had the opportunity to know Scott from a unique perspective. In spending many hours with Scott over the years doing "ride-a-longs, I've watched his work, and the way he interacted with our community.

Our Police Officers often spend their time helping good people get through bad days. For innumerable reasons, the stresses of life, relational conflicts, and accumulating pressures can cause us all, at one time or another, to make foolish decisions, some with potentially harmful results. Those are the days we desperately need help. I've seen Scott and his officers repeatedly intervene and provide aid and support to members of our community during some terribly difficult times.

Sometimes our officers have to deal with bad people having really bad days. That's something that most of us don't even want to know about, and thanks to our officers, we don't have to. They take care of things on our behalf, day in and day out - 24/7. While we eat, sleep, work, and play, they watch over us and help keep our community safe. They do so willingly and courageously.

That brings me back to Scott.

Below the badge and under the Kevlar vest that Scott wore over his chest beats a kind and compassionate heart. Many a night I spent with Scott, listening as he spoke about his struggles with the burden of his office. He considered it his personal responsibility to keep our community safe; a heavy load to bear, yet carry it he did.

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