FORGET THE POLITICS, FORGET THE BUDGET……THIS IS PRICELESS!!
When I pulled into the City Hall parking lot to attend Tuesday’s Council meeting, there seemed to be more cars than normal. Then as I walked into City Hall, I noticed three police officers. I joked “that there must be extra reinforcements needed tonight”. They smiled and nodded. I entered the Council chambers and yet again I had to wonder, why are all these people here? What must the hot topic be tonight?? I was about to find out. Call to order, invocation, pledge, roll call………..and a little fidgeting in the seats, people moving toward the center aisle. It’s time!
Interim Police Chief Coombs steps to the podium and requests three of Gulfport’s finest—J.Motte, J. Kellington and T.Woodman– to join him. Police Chief Coombs proceeds to recognize the men for their outstanding performance. They get a certificate, shake hands with the Interim Chief and proceed to the dais for handshakes with the City’s muckity muck.
Now, there’s more movement in the audience. Cathy Salustri from The Gabber steps to the center aisle for the requisite photo. Then another lady steps to the center aisle—I presume she is from that new beach paper. Then I realize she is probably not. All of a sudden, click, click, flash, flash. People standing in the back are no longer reserved. They step forward and take their pictures. A quite pregnant wife, girlfriend or sister, kneels down to take a shot. I immediately go into worry mode, hoping she can get up!! I glance at the dais and see Councilmember Henderson with a wide smile as he watches the families watching their loved ones being recognized. You couldn’t help but smile – their proud feelings were infectious! The audience offers a standing ovation as the officers return from the dais down the center aisle. The first person to greet the officers and extend a hand is Lt. Robert Vincent; next out from the back row, Sgt. Josh Stone. It’s obvious, they’re family too! Then it’s a hug from a mom, a kiss from a wife or girlfriend and a handshake from a Dad or friend. I tear up at the drop of a hat and can’t help but shed a tear or two. The center aisle is a flurry of activity and then all of a sudden they’re all gone and the chambers are left with the diehards that are at most Council meetings.
Forget the politics, forget the budget…..that was all just priceless!! And the pregnant lady—she made it up just fine!
Fast forward 28 hours. I am watching the 11p.m. news on Channel 8. Stacy Schiable announces they have a breaking news report. Cue reporter Samantha Soto; a Tampa police officer has been shot; he’s been rushed to the hospital….more info as soon as they get it! Fifteen minutes later, Stacy Schiable announces the police officer has died.
St. Pete Times, Thursday morning…Cpl. Mike Roberts was a highly honored, 11 year veteran of the Tampa police department and leaves behind a wife and three year old child. My tears start to flow again.
I’d like to rewind back to Tuesday night and just skip Wednesday. I don’t want to know that three of our finest and the rest of the Gulfport PD have just lost one of their brethren. I’m sure they don’t want to know it either. We all feel our own hurt and disgust, but I have to believe that what they feel is all of that and more—likely something only understood by those that wear the badge.
Forget the politics, forget the budget, what these people do each day, to keep us safe, is truly priceless! Next time you see a cop, or a firefighter or an EMS worker—tell them that!!
A simple “thank you” will work too!
mtober…
Thank you for those words.
In reading your post, it got me thinking about my childhood and one of the reason’s why being a cop was so attractive…”superhero”. I think every young boy wants to be one. Being a cop is a close as we can get. And superheros and cops have a log in common. Their both loners in a sense. Their powers or their feelings about how life should be exclude them from the rest of society. My favorite superhero…batman. His powers aren’t supernatural, but he is mortal, like every other man. He can be hurt and he can bleed.
There was a batman movie I saw a few years ago. That little boy in me could not resist going and see it. At the very end, when batman saves the day, commissioner Gordon says to batman, “I never said thank you”. I have no doubt that every cop would respond exactly the way batman did. Please see the link and see what I am talking about. Just copy the link and paste the address in your web browser.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sup9wQ1k7G8
The psychological effects of police work
By Philip Bonifacio
2view…would you please explain your post? Certain words in your link are highlighted and seem to imply that those in the profession of law enforcement seek “hero worship”.
I am the pregnant wife mentioned in this article, I must tell you I am so impressed that someone noticed the families, so many people expect cops to be like robots, to not make mistakes, to act super human and to not feel the psychological ramafications of what they see everyday, and most importantly they forget what is waiting at home for them. I was there to honor my husband but also to honor the other 2 officers as well, who are just as much my family as every other police officer at Gulfport Police. I can tell you the loss of Cpl Roberts was felt by every officer I know, and their families. The loyalty and love of this brotherhood is untarnished and neverending! I wish my husband was thanked and recognized more, what many do not think about is how these officers are faced with decisions and situations that may not bring them home to us at the end of their night, but still they remain devoted to the people of Gulfport and making sure they are safe.
Watchman, my intension was not to be disrespectful in any way. Your passion is admirable and in stalk contrast with an example I’ve most recently been revisited by.
A man lost his business and then his subcontracting job resulting in him loosing his house, with three young children, it was mortifying to see him so desperate. In our final conversation he stated that he was going back to school to be a cop or a nurse because he hasn’t seen his kids in years working 90 hour a week. His passions are not for the work but for his need to work and raise a family. This situation I find often in the medical community where people have made career choices for employment sake but have no passion for the work or empathy for life’s victims. They do what they have to do, not what they want to do and that makes all the difference.
To the Book: I reviewed the book 15 years ago but couldn’t remember the specific title so a google search found it on Key Words, which is why the text is emphasized.
I had linked to the book as a reference to your point about super hero’s, and how they influenced your career choice and carry on through the work.
Hero worship is not unique to Police or celebrity, it is woven into the fabric and patrimony of our culture like no other nation on earth and the consequences are well documented throughout our brief history. In a quasi-military structured institution the ideal of right and wrong-good v evil actions and or characters is the basis of the job, and Hero’s are constructed on a reflection of the differences.
proud police prego –
1st – I love your “handle” and thank you for your thoughts. I hope you and yours and others will continue to participate in this dialog. There is good discussion on here, some of it from folks in the PD and other dep’ts in the City. Hopefully, the city leaders are astute enough to also read this. Unfortunately, I know 1st hand that at least one has refused to do so because of the differences that person has with one of the residents that is listed as a contributor. How sad is it to know that this is the mentality we have sitting up on the dais. One would think that our leadership is above such pettiness.
2nd – Reading your comments made me cry again–it’s in the genes. My dad teared up like this too. I am most touched by what you said.
3rd – I thought it was pretty crappy that no one paid attention to the details of the presentation to have the foresight to even put the certificate in a frame for your husband and associates. My gosh you can get them at the Dollar Tree for $1!!
4th – I find it incredulous that there is not more proper/formal recognition of Gulfport’s employees–all of them — by the leadership on staff and council! I was going to propose a recognition program but found that most everything offered up by citizens falls on deaf ears so I haven’t followed thru.
5th – You may know that I have publically asked the unions to reconsider their stance on COLA for the coming year. I hope that they and their families will understand that my request is strictly from a business perspective. This absolutely does not have any bearing on my respect for them and the work they do. I do truly believe that the work of police, fire, EMS, teachers, our armed forces and many in the medical field is priceless!
Blessings to you and your family on your new addition!!