Police on the Job
Tuesday, January 29th, 2008
My name is Sharon and my partner's name is Doug. We are both police officers. We make our living working on the streets. Most of the time we respond to calls, but every now and then we get a bad guy on our own.
I've been doing this now for about twelve years and Doug has been doing it for around nine years. We have been partners for the past five years. As you can imagine, we hold each other's lives to the highest degree. When you are in this business, if you don't watch your partners back, you are worthless. There are many times he has saved my life.
Lately we have been working about sixty hours a week. Some weeks a little more, some weeks a little less. We lost several officers in a shoot out a few months ago. There was a big shoot out between some drug dealers and the cops. Me and my partner were there. It wasn't a pretty sight. Let me tell you one thing, it breaks your heart to watch a fellow officer die. After all you have been through with them, to see them die is more than you can handle.
One of the officers who died was the mother of three children. I feel so sorry for her kids. They are just old enough to go to school. They will never get to know their mom. I probably cried for a whole week when she died.
Sometimes I wonder why the good people always die. I mean, you rarely ever see these crack heads dying. No, they will live forever and be in good health. You take someone like Carol, who was trying to make a difference and make the world a better place.
She dies at thirty five. I mean, come on. Why couldn't have it been some guy with a needle shooting drugs in his arm? Maybe it is mean to think that way. I don't think I care though. Every time I drive by her house, I think of her.
I lost my dad when I was young. I know what these kids will be going through. I can't tell you how many times I have just wanted to hear my dad's voice again. How much I would love to cook him a meal and eat supper together.
I never got the chance to do that with my dad. He died when I was four years old. Every time I want to go over and see Carol's kids, I end up not going. I bought them toys to help take their mind of off things. But, I had to give them to Carol's sister to give to the kids. I just can't be around them. I am sad for them, but it also makes my pain come out too. Even though it has been as long as it has, I'm not sure that I have dealt with dad's death. In fact, I know I haven't.
“Unit four, we have a domestic violence situation over at 5654 Circle Drive.” The dispatcher said over the radio.
“We need you to go see what is going on. The boyfriend appears to be drunk and possibly has a gun.” The dispatcher further explained.




