In their eyes, he’s nothing more than an officer. He doesn’t come home to a family who loves him every night. He isn’t a father. He’s just a cop.

But, in reality, he’s my dad. He’s a part of my family. We love him and see him as more than just his job.

Our society has become callous to the men and women laying down their lives, disregarding the fact that officers are, in fact, people with families and lives. When critics promote anti-cop views and “cop-killing,” they’re neglecting the humanity of these people that so selflessly sacrifice their safety to serve and protect the very people that hate them.

On Wed. July 5, 2017, NYPD officer Miosotis Familia was assassinated by Alexander Bonds solely because of the uniform she wore. This killing was entirely fueled by hate for cops. Some people say she may have deserved it simply because she was a cop. She didn’t. She was a mother. She was a daughter. Most of all, she was a human being. Now, her three daughters have no mother, her mother has no daughter, and she is no longer alive all because a man was filled with unprovoked rage.

Familia is one of many officer deaths brought on by police opposition. Taking police lives neglects their basic human rights and damages families. No one stopped to consider the people that would mourn their deaths. No one thought about the children that would lose their father, mother, the spouse that would be losing the love of their life or the parents that would never again kiss their children. No one stops to think about the impact their hate is making to someone who loves a cop.

These killings and anti-cop comments or threats terrify me. They terrify my family. They aren’t just words or news stories to us. Often times, I catch myself telling my dad that I love him an extra time or hugging him again before he goes to work in fear that it may be the last time I get to do so. I can’t bear to watch the news when one of these stories airs unless he’s home and safe.

There has to be a way for people to become sensitized again to the things they say and to the people they’re hurting. They have to realize that they’re talking about real people and real things, not just internet commentary. The victims of these tragedies want to feel safe again. They deserve the security of knowing their father or mother, son or daughter will come home tonight.