Thank Your Local Policeman

I found this while surfing MySpace. I got it from one of Amber's buddies... It's amazing! We carry on... We kiss our families goodbye and most of us go out into a world that few of you will ever see or know about. Statistics show that over half of us will one day come home to an empty house and a note saying "Goodbye. I can't take your job anymore." But, we carry on. We know we have a job with one of the highest divorce, suicide and mental illness rates in the world. But, we carry on. You curse us when we stop you for speeding. You weren't there two hours ago when we covered the body of a three year old child killed by a speeding car. But, we carry on. We'll intervene in fights and take the beating meant for you, knowing that you wouldn't do the same for us and probably won't even thank us. But, we carry on. We investigate the murders, rapes and robberies and have to watch the victims' families weep in court when a judge has to release the suspect on a small technicality. But, we carry on. We see families wiped out in accidents. Then we listen as the person who did it is fined $100 for drunk driving and given a limited driving privilege so he can get back and forth to work and to church on Sundays. But, we carry on. We know that if you hit us, unprovoked, you'll probably get a fine in court for assault. We know that if we hit you, unprovoked, we could lose our jobs and everything we own for police brutality. But, we carry on. The uniform is not armor. It won't stop bullets, knives, bricks or sticks. We have gone in burning buildings, burning cars and icy waters to try to save lives. Some of us lose ours in the process. But, we carry on. We are part mediator, problem solver, professional driver, weapons expert, guidance and marriage counselor. We are part analyst, lawyer, fireman and doctor, and sometimes boxer and wrestler. Does your job require this much and even sometimes more? I doubt it! We know all this. But, carry on. We're not expected to be the one thing we all are... human beings. Sometimes, though, we forget and act like them. We get angry, we say or do something we shouldn't. Please forgive us. But if you don't.... We'll carry on. By Dallas R. Pruitt, Winston Salem Police Department

I like that you posted that! I work for a police department (records division) in shelby, nc which is only about 1-2 hours from windston salem police department. I am "engaged" to a police officer and all of those words are very true and then some. Gloria

Jaci~ Thanks for the reality check. My DH just sent out his application to take the civil service exam to be a local police officer here in NJ. There really is so many things that they see and deal with on a daily basis that we never imagine happens in our small towns. It takes a special person to do what they do. Dawn

LOL one of my buddies, huh? Probably my little cop, Justin! (PTL.JP) I love the fact that he is a cop. He is one of my best friends and when he told me he became a cop, my question was "they gave you a gun?!?!?" ... but I worry about him and it scares me what he does. I respect him and love him, and am soooooo proud to have him as my friend and protector.... Thanks for posting this Jaci!!! ~amber~

My first husband was/is a policeman. He had TWO girlfriends AT THE SAME TIME =WHILE= he was married to me. That's why we're divorced. I don't like to share. but consequently I have a little different outlook on the profession than that article. When I married him, he was going to be a teacher, but that was back when there were WAY too many teachers for each opening. I'm sure my views are slanted tho.... And anyway, I probably shouldn't be posting on your board. I've only just scheduled my psych eval, but I'm doing 'research' on what to expect in a few months. THANKS for all your posts! It is so helpful to so many! Sally