ONCE THE BADGE GOES ON, IT NEVER COMES OFF, WHETHER THE RETIRED COP CAN SEE IT OR NOT. IT FUSES TO THE SOUL THROUGH ADVERSITY, FEAR AND ADRENALINE AND NO ONE WHO HAS EVER WORN IT WITH PRIDE, INTEGRITY AND GUTS CAN EVER SLEEP THROUGH THE “CALL OF THE WILD” THAT WAFTS THROUGH THE BEDROOM WINDOWS IN THE DEEP OF THE NIGHT.
THESE ARE THE BURDENS OF THE JOB. YOU WILL LOOK AT PEOPLE SUSPICIOUSLY, STILL SEE WHAT OTHERS DO NOT SEE. YOUR WIFE WILL NOT OBJECT IF YOU VIEW ANOTHER WOMAN…YOUR CHECKING FOR A TELL-TAIL BULGE. THE BULGE THAT YOU KNOW TO BE THE OUTLINE OF A GUN OR OTHER WEAPON.
RETIRED COPS ARE ONLY ESCAPING THE JOB AND ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE ACTIVE DUTY PORTION. THE RETIRED COP, IN HIS/HER HEART WILL NEVER FORGET THAT “BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED THE CHILDREN OF GOD.” NEVER FORGET THAT THE RETIRED COP IS A MEMBER OF THE GREATEST FRATERNITY THE WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN. PEACE.
STAY SAFE, BUCKLE UP AND WEAR YOUR VEST!!
www.KenJDye.com
Bravo, Ken. Well said.
I retired in 2010 from the local sheriff’s office after 28 years. Then I stayed retired for about 3 years and went back to work as a police officer but he can’t ever get it out of your blood I guess one of these days I’ll actually have to retire. If you’re a good cop is not what you do for a job it’s who you are.
True enough. If you enjoy it stay as long as you like. I wrote an blog about a cop in Arlington, Tx who was 70…that’s right 70 and still going strong. Take care and Stay Safe
Ken
I retired as a Fed assigned to the US Speaker of the House, say around maybe 6 months, like to have driven me mad, started a business, ran with that til I hooked up with the courts system, now in charge of the cops/bailiff’s in three counties in Md . three District courthouses, and a great job with something new and different every day. Keeps me in my toes and on the job
I retired as a Fed assigned to the US Speaker of the House, say around maybe 6 months, like to have driven me mad, started a business, ran with that til I hooked up with the courts system, now in charge of the cops/bailiff’s in three counties in Md . three District courthouses, and a great job with something new and different every day. Keeps me on my toes and in the job
Hey Beau: Sounds like your steppin’ right along. Hope all is well with you and your fine family.
Ken
I believe it will always be a part of you… like a doctor, a nurse, emt. firefighter, enen a high up burgerflipper….it just never stpps
Right Terry. Stay safe out there.
In some ways this is sad to me, because the job took the carefree and happy boy I married and turned him into a cynical and rather angry man. I was kind of hoping to get the boy back when he retires… bummer!
Don’t let the job over take you. Best defense is to maintain a sense of humor. Hope your retirement is filled with fun, friends and great memories of the “Greatest Show On Earth.”
Sheep dogs for life. CURRAHEE !
Speaking of “THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH” I wrote something on the back cover of a book about cops, the ordinary, the exceptional, the heroes, mentors and leaders who became the legends that make a good police department, a great one.
And yes, once a cop. always a cop yet eventually, old cops must step aside for the next generation who are anxious to carry on the tradition. So…we must bow to the new warriors who will pin on that simple piece of tin that bestows awesome responsibility…it is now their turn to witness what promises to be that…Greatest Show in Earth…and it is that.
Right you are Bill…we gotta step away and let the new guys carry on. Hopefully with enthusiasm and a good “curbside” manner. Found that get you a lot more than the tough guy stuff. I’ve seen new cops rush into something they weren’t prepared for. Fortunately I was in a position to slow them down and make the situation less edgy.
It’s amazing to me that in today’s climate there are still young men and women who are willing to take up the cause and soldier on. Take care and stay safe.
Ken