Two separate tragedies show danger firefighters, police face every day

Monday evening in Charleston, S.C., and in the countryside of Indiana.

But it could have been anywhere. It could have been Texarkana.

Separate tragedies on the same night showed just how dangerous it can be to fight fires or enforce the law.

And how death can come from nowhere to claim those who risk their lives to protect the public.

About 7 p.m. Monday a fire raged in the Sofa SuperStore and Warehouse in Charleston. Several employees were inside.

Firefighters were soon on the scene and set to work rescuing the employees and getting the blaze under control.

They got the employees out, but then disaster struck.

The building’s roof collapsed, sending flaming debris over scores of emergency services personnel outside.

And inside the building nine firefighters were killed.

Flags are flying at half-staff in South Carolina today.

The same evening near Georgetown, Ind., a troubled 15-year-old boy was arguing with his mother.

The Floyd County Sheriff’s Department was called and sent two deputies to the scene.

When they arrived the boy opened fire, killing one of the deputies and wounding another, leaving him in critical condition as of Tuesday

Authorities evacuated the area and a standoff began.

Shortly before midnight officers entered the home. The boy was found dead. His mother was not injured.

Communities were shaken and families were shattered Monday in South Carolina and Indiana, just as they are in cities and towns across the country whenever such things happen.

Police and firefighters know anything can happen. No matter how hard they train, how much they prepare. The unexpected is always out there.

Danger goes with the job. But they do the job anyway.

Sometimes we forget. We see the police car or fire truck or ambulance speed by and we wonder what’s happening, where they are going.

But we often don’t think about what they are doing for us.

We should remember that every time these brave men and women answer a call for help they are also putting their lives on the line.

For all of us.