Tragedy knows no bounds and the news last week a reserve police officer in Nyssa was gunned down was especially troubling. The Observer covered the story, even though it was far outside of our coverage area, because the impact of the shooting and death of a policeman reaches beyond county lines.

Those who serve in law enforcement are always in for more than their fair share of criticism but when tragedy strikes — as it did in Nyssa last weekend — we are left with the knowledge that law enforcement is an unpredictable and sometimes very dangerous vocation.

So, our thought process behind covering a story that was two counties away was firmly rooted in our realization that the incident reverberated across the region and the state. When a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty it transcends the everyday and reminds all of us that those we expect to protect us — and who we sometimes criticize — put their lives on the line every day.

That’s what sometimes gets missed. While criticism of public servants and lawmakers is part of democracy, the other side of the coin is we must remember these men and women are ready to give what Lincoln called the last full measure of devotion to their community, their region and their state.

That is remarkable.

The story of the slain Nyssa police officer deserves recognition because his life was based around service to his community. He did, indeed, give the last full measure and we should remember those who selflessly put it all on the line every day for our protection.

Andrew Cutler is the interim editor of The Observer.