This week’s “Thankful Thursday” would like to honor and share advice received from parents of law enforcement officers. We pick up lessons from a lot of different sources during the course of our lives, but there’s no question that some of the best advice comes from our mothers and fathers. Officers found the advice they received growing-up useful during their day to day patrol duties. Below is a collection of the best responses:

Father’s Advice

• If you’re going to do something and you don’t know if it’s the right thing to do, imagine me standing behind you watching. You’ll make the right decision every time. – Rhonda Trekell Bays
• Treat every person with respect no matter what. Giving respect to others is more about the man you are than whoever they might be or what they have done. – Derek John
• Instead of being a hand crank, try being a self-starter. – Franklin Marino
• Don’t take any wooden nickels! – Frank Keough
• Know that you will not change the world but you have an opportunity to help make a change. -Tim Menard
• Never turn your back on a woman during a domestic violence call. – Sifu Says
• Watch their hands but talk to them like your mother’s listening. – Michael McKellar
• Someone is counting on you to do your job so they can do theirs. – Pat Welsh
• You have two names on your uniform. Your family’s and the community you serve. Don’t bring shame to either one. – William Ferline
• Be careful what you say at work, you never know who your next boss will be. – Marv Alex
• If someone or something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut. – Ashley Brashear
• Make a new friend every day. – John Paul
• Always assume no one has done their job; do it again, it could possibly save your life. – David Allen
• Never forget that no matter how high you go in the police department you will never stand higher than the shoulders of those people below you. – Ed Devennish
• Nothing good happens after midnight. – Jimmy Andrews