This Former Police Officer's Heartfelt Facebook Post Is Going Crazy Viral

Between the recent fatal shootings of two black men by police and the subsequent slayings of five Dallas officers, tensions surrounding law enforcement have risen significantly.

In this tumultuous time, many people have spoken out about the importance of unity and peace, including former Detroit police officer Merri McGregor, who penned a lengthy plea for understanding and empathy on Facebook.

The 39-year-old Michigan resident, who is on disability leave from Detroit PD, according to Deadline Detroit, points out to antipolice readers: "I've seen and experienced both sides of the spectrum since I left the PD and I get it. I truly do." McGregor goes on to state that she knows some police officers aren't worthy of wearing the badge but that the bad cops are few and far between: "Are cops perfect? No. Are there bad cops? Yes. But please . . . understand that the vast majority of police are good, loving, well-intentioned family people."

Citing her own horrifying experiences on the police force, which resulted in PTSD and depression issues for McGregor, the former officer explains that law enforcement officers willingly subject themselves to horrors so that citizens won't have to experience them. "They have hearts and consciences. They aren't robots, they're not machines and they just want to help keep the wolves away from the sheep," she says in the impassioned post. "We ALL need to start being more understanding and compassionate toward one another. Violence doesn't cure violence and hate doesn't cure hate. . . . It breaks my heart to see all this hatred and anger flying around. All it's doing is encouraging more of the same."

After her story garnered 130,000 shares in two days, McGregor responded with a follow-up post.

"I'm grateful that my words have touched so many people," she says in response to the overwhelming support for her original post. "We don't have always have to agree on everything but we do owe each other (and ourselves!) the human decency and respect of being understanding and compassionate toward each other's thoughts and feelings. Enough of the negative, anger, hate and fighting."

We have reached out to McGregor for further comment. In the meantime, you can read her full statements above, then read the poignant words that former President George W. Bush shared when speaking at the fallen Dallas police officers' memorial service.