Despite The Tragedy, Wilbur's Legacy Will Live On

Even during a most peaceful of holidays, terrible things can happen, and that's exactly what happened here in Highlands County on Christmas day.

Avon Park Police Sgt. Marc Wilbur died Christmas morning while on the job protecting his community. Although no official cause has been listed, it's believed he suffered a heart attack.

By all accounts Wilbur was a class guy and a fine police officer. Other law enforcement professionals in Highlands County held him in high regard. Members of the Avon Park Police Department knew him best, and the officers who worked under him were understandably distraught at the news of his death.

So often people see law enforcement officers as faceless, nameless cops who hassle them, but also help when they need it the most. It's one of the most thankless jobs imaginable, and they deal with the worst conditions in our society every day. Most of us cannot fathom what it's like to see the tragedies they deal with and the worst in humanity that they are immersed in daily.

We value the hard work and important duty our law enforcement provide Highlands County. We admire the willingness to assume such responsibility with a constant threat of being in a deadly situation around every corner.

When an officer dies, such as Wilbur or any other officer, it makes us pause and consider that these fine men and women are just like us. They have families, friends, dreams and ambitions just like anyone else. They are not nameless, faceless people put here to ruin our days by giving us traffic tickets or whatever. They are people just like the rest of us.

We hope that Sgt. Wilbur's family, friends and colleagues know that the communities he served also honor his life for what he has done for all of us. His efforts are not only appreciated by his coworkers. Everyone in Avon Park was safer because of the work he did there. It's no consolation to the tragedy that happened, but at the end of the day, if we're to be remembered for anything, knowing you kept people safe is about as good as it gets.