Friday’s Heroes
Each night, as we settle into our warm beds for a good night’s rest, police officers all over the country tuck their kids in bed, kiss their spouses goodbye, and head out the door to keep us safe. What do they do while we sleep? I can assure you that it’s not just another day at the office.
12:15am Domestic dispute – bruised, battered, and crying husband shoots and kills wife.
1:00 Search dark warehouse for armed robbery suspects
1:30 Chase stolen car through city and county at terrifying speeds
2:10 Wrestle and finally handcuff combative drunk who’d just stabbed his card-playing buddy
2:45 Perform CPR on drug overdose victim so he may live another day
3:15 Change flat tire for stranded motorist
4:00 Sit with and comfort an elderly person who lives alone and was frightened by a mysterious sound
4:45 Hold a crying child whose mother was just killed in an automobile accident
5:15 Pull twisted bodies from what’s left of a car that wrapped around a tree at 100 mph
6:45 Pull sleeping victims from house fire
7:15 Complete paperwork from night’s activities
8:00 Head home, barely able to keep her eyes open
8:30 Climb into empty bed because her family has already begun their day.
Chief Neil Ferdelman, Hamilton, Ohio Police Department
Hi Diana – Thanks for stopping by. You’re right. The average person doesn’t have a clue what police officers do. I hope The Graveyard Shift can open a few eyes.
Thank yous are far too few and far between. I think the average citizen has no idea what the police do for them.
SweetieZ and mnboater – Actually, this could be a typical night. Of course, there are many nights when officers find themselves looking for things to do, but not often.
By the way, each of the things I mentioned above actually happened in a single shift. I got the information from an old logbook.
Yikes! That’s not a typical day, is it?
That list above cant be one man ! It would take more then 45 minutes to write up all that report I would think.
Surprised not much response for the boys and girls in blue to even just say “Hey Yeah”.
Hey Yeah !
Lee,
Thank you for the poignant reminders, in words and pictures, of what officers do, day in and day out, for the community — for all of us.
Looking forward to talking with you all on Mon, April 7!
Leslie Budewitz
http://www.LawandFiction.com
In my one short ride-along, I witnessed the deputy dealing with so much of the above. I have the utmost admiration for those who can handle all the hats they have to wear in the course of a night’s work.
God bless the police officer. I tell friends when they grumble about getting a speeding ticket or something else minor “Do you want to do their job? Then stop complaining.”
Elena – Cops are so used to being on the receiving end of verbal and physical abuse that I’m sure they were surprised to see a nice gesture coming their way. Good for you.
Guess that’s why the guys looked so startled when I showed up with a case of coffee as a thank you for their part in saving my life. I knew that their coffee purchases came out of their pockets.
Seemed to me the courteous thing to do, as well as useful, and I was saddened that this was such an unusual thing for them.
Very true, Joyce.
And on a rare night, someone might even say, “thank you.”