As I stood in the blistering cold Tuesday night, clinching my candle close to my body in hopes of gaining some bit of warmth in 28 degrees for almost an hour, I realized it was a small price to pay to honor two police officers who had lost their lives 40 years ago in Pilot Mountain.

Along with about 15 other people, I stood bundled from head to toe, teeth clattering, listening to the story of how Ralph East and Glenn Branscome died on their last mission during a candlelight vigil in their honor.

In what was probably an effort to stop a group of men, who were suspected of robbing two service stations earlier that Feb. 3 evening in 1969, East and Branscome were shot three times each.

Witnesses later saw a car speeding away from the scene where East and Branscome had died, along Old U.S. 52 Bypass behind East Surry High School.

And the site of that scene is where I stood with families, friends, neighbors and law enforcement mourning the loss of good officers who were husbands and fathers, while also honoring the sacrifice of their lives.

I may not be from Surry County, or was even alive during the time of the gruesome crime, but the story of what happen to the officers touches my heart.

It reminded me of my father who served in the Marines for more than 20 years, and all the other men and women who serve in the military and law enforcement, who have risked their lives so I can enjoy a portion of safety and freedom in my own life.

When I stood there paying respect to these men, I was also keeping in my mind all the others who have lost their lives or almost died doing a job that puts them at risk every day.

There are few occupational hazards at my job, other than severe paper cuts or possible car accidents on the way to assignments, I’ve never put my life on the line for the readers.

But there are so many other professionals that I encounter every day that do, like police officers, firefighters, rescue squad members and a slew of others. I write about the tragedies that occur, while they work hard to save the lives involved in them.

It takes courage and real heroism to know that your job might entail saving a life, and at the cost of losing your own.

The organizer of the vigil, Chet Jessup, also an Alcohol Law Enforcement officer, told me that the tragic deaths of East and Branscome resulted in changes in police training in the state.

I’m certain that numerous lives were most likely saved from a change in the training policy.

And what a large price those officers had to pay — but I’m grateful for the men and women like East and Branscome, those soldiers and officers. Because of their courage, I can feel a little safer not only in Mount Airy, but in America.

Erin C. Perkins is a staff reporter for The Mount Airy News. She can be reached at eperkins@mtairynews.com.