First, I don't think anyones job is easy. Alot of the first part of what you said can be applied to many, many, professions.
As far as a LEO goes I would love the part of being able to carry a firearm much past that I would fail miserably.
You have to remember that most of the time the contact a person has with LE is when the person has broken the law (Often a motor vehicle violation).
If the officer "let's them go" They tell all their friends the story of the "Cool Cop" who gave them a break.
If the officer gives them a ticket, They tell all their friends the story of the "SOB" that didn't have anything better to do then pull me over and give me a ticket.
Right or wrong, it's just human nature.
People rarely take responsibility for their own actions when they are wrong, but you already knew that.