My heart goes out to the family of Illinois State Police Trooper Kyle Deatherage, who was struck and killed on Monday during a traffic stop on Interstate 55. I truly grieve for them. I am grateful that this husband and father was out there trying to make our roads a safer place.

What I am about to say does not reflect on Deatherage. I wasn't there and I don't know what happened. Now, I have to ask the question of law enforcement at all levels of government: How many more of you will have to give your lives before you do something to fix the problem? Passing another law saying on-coming vehicles have to move over or slow down isn't going to work.

Here is an idea; Make a policy or law (if we must) that says officers must direct offenders to take the next available exit or road or driveway. Put it right in the driver's manual. And it is not just our highways. I have frequently seen offenders stop in the craziest places, even within intersections, as soon as they are "lit up." And then officers just step out into traffic, like Superman.

To our officers I say this: Don't wait for a change in policy. Use some common sense and your bull horn and direct the offender to move ahead to a safe place.

I am afraid our society, including law enforcement, have simply come to accept that deaths like Trooper Deatherage's as an acceptable cost of doing business.

Rocky Morrisette

Fairview Heights