10-8

My very first call out of roll call, a double 34S in the Saint Thomas projects. As we screamed Code 3 my FTO advised me that although we had our lights and sirens on, we still had to watch out for traffic. And sure enough, as we slowed at Jackson and Simon Bolivar, a car rolled right in front of us! Wow, I thought, this guy knows what he is talking about. The scene was bloody and hectic. But this was just what I had signed up for. It was the district I grew up in and wanted to be the police in. Fitting for a first real day on the job. 

But many roll calls have passed and alas, now it is time to hang up the duty rig for the last time. And in doing so I would like to express my gratitude.

Thanks to my classmates and instructors, who shared that unique experience that was LSP. I think we came along at the right time and our instructors gave their earnest efforts to ensure we were not only properly trained, but ingrained with the proper standards that would define how we went about our work. We were surely enriched by that process. 

Thanks to my FTO's who helped put the pieces together for me to grow and become a Sixth District police officer. A unique tradition of excellence I always was proud to be associated with. (Yeah, I had to go there.) 

Thanks to my supervisors who helped to guide my career. I learned a great deal about myself and about maintaining a that high standard for doing the work, from their examples.

A very special thanks to all my partners. I am most fortunate to say I had the privilege to ALWAYS ride with those in whom I could depend on to do the right things and not do the stupid stuff that tends to easily beset some. I ALWAYS had that confidence that they indeed had my back in ANY situation. We got the job done and had loads of laughs and fun in the process.

In closing, I pay respect to our brothers and sisters who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our citizens and our profession. Although we love them all, I am certain the absence of those we each personally knew stings us often.

So I bid farewell to you all. Stay safe and take care of each other out there.

10-7

Written by:

ewjjrnola.tumblr.com

facebook.com/ewj.today

instagram.com/ewjjr

myspace.com/ewj_today

pinterest.com/onepinter

twitter.com/ewjjr

© 2015