I have pulled dead, mangled bodies from cars.
I have lied to people as they were dying. I said you are going to be fine as I held their hand and watched the life fade out.
I have held dying babies.
Bought lunch for people who were mentally ill and haven’t eaten in a while.
I have had people stab me.
Fought with men trying to shoot me.
I’ve been attacked by women while I was arresting their husband who had just severely beat them.
I have held towels on bullet wounds.
I have done CPR when I knew it wouldn’t help just to make family members feel better.
I have torn down doors, fought in drug houses and chased fugitives through the woods.
I have been in high-speed car chases.
I’ve been in foot chases across an interstate during rush hour traffic.
I have been in crashes.
I’ve been squeezing the trigger about to kill a man when they came to their senses and stopped being a threat.
I’ve walked walked through large angry crowds by myself or with my brothers when outnumbered 1000 to 1.
I’ve driven like a madman to help a fellow officer.
I’ve let little kids who don’t have much sit in my patrol car and pretend they are a cop for their birthday.
I have taken a lot of people to jail. Given many breaks. Prayed for people I don’t even know.
Yes, and at times I have been “violent” when I had to be. I have been kind when I could.
I admit I have driven to some dark place and cried by myself when I was overwhelmed.
I have missed Christmas and other holidays more than I wanted to.
Every cop I know has done all these things and more for lousy pay, exhausting hours, and a short life expectancy.
We don’t want your pity, I don’t even ask for your respect. Just let us do our jobs without killing us”
Thank you to the police officers of America. Thank you for stepping up to a place where most people are scared to look.
My brothers and sisters did this beside me in Portsmouth.
Most others will never understand the pain other than the brothers and sisters I worked with there but really…