It’s an unfortunate fact of life.

Good deeds seldom linger long on the mind. They soon fade and sometimes completely vanish from memory, while injustices endure, never fully gone, painful reminders of the past.

So let us remember the good work done this week by the Bainbridge Island Police Department, and the all-around outstanding effort that resulted in the quick arrest of a suspect in a brazen attempted rape over the weekend that left islanders shocked and unsettled.

Two sexual assaults were reported this past Sunday afternoon, and in one case, a 19-year-old woman fought off her attacker and helped provide a description and enough information about the suspect to help police find and arrest a 26-year-old man who has since been charged with third-degree rape.

Police have not yet said the man is also the culprit in the other attack Sunday. Regardless, the much maligned police department deserves high praise for its resolution of the more serious incident — the accused assailant was found and arrested within 36 hours of the assault.

Bainbridge Police Commander Sue Shultz said the arrest was the result of “good police work.”

That’s a modest understatement. Bainbridge Police should take great pride in their thorough, professional work on a case that caused great concern in the community.