RETIREMENT

As promised, the much anticipated “Retirement” post.

As of now I’m a 58 year old guy with 39 years of law enforcement under my belt.  See...

I did a three year stint as a Military Policeman from 1979-1981, which was followed by 36 years working for the Riley County Police Department in Manhattan, Ks. - the last 11 as Director. That my belt is only moderately larger than when I commenced the profession is mostly a result avoiding as many donuts as possible over the course of my career - which means I still ate too many.  Seriously - people are always bringing those blasted things to the PD.  They're usually, ah...well received.  Yes - news flash - cops and donuts go together like firefighters and naps - with all due deference to my firefighter friends.  Don’t get me wrong, I love me some firefighters, who wouldn’t what with all those kitties they save?  Seriously, I saw this when I got to work this morning...

Manhattan Fire Department Saves Kitties - sigh...

We cops are just a bit jealous of their inherent advantage.

911 phone rings...

“Fire guys, what can we do for ya?”

“Help! My house is on fire!”

“Great, I’ll wake the guys up and we’ll be right over.”

Motorist hears siren and sees flashing lights in rear view mirror...

“Good afternoon ma’am.  The reason I pulled you over is because you were going warp 10 in a warp 1 zone.”

I think we all know who comes outta that looking like the good guy.

As I draft this post, I’m still gainfully employed, and plan to remain so until December 31 which will be my last official day at work.  And since I’ve now let the proverbial cat out of the bag concerning my chosen profession...

I gotta say that I’m as aware as anyone of the hit policing has taken over the past several years.  Please know this; not every police Department is Ferguson or Baltimore.  During my entire career, no Officer with the Department shot and killed anyone - in 36 years.  I myself pointed a gun at only two people.  I shot neither, though I was prepared to do so if I had to.  Thank God I didn’t have to.  Years later I ran into one of these two guys during a marriage seminar at a small church in Topeka, Ks.  The guy (genuinely) found God in prison and he’d turned things around after he got out.  He had a daughter the same age as mine. When his wife thanked me for not shooting him, we both got emotional.

I can recite at least three times during my tenure as Director that Officers would have been justified in shooting armed individuals, but didn’t.  And one occasion when one of our guys was shot in the leg as he responded to a domestic disturbance - by a guy he rode the bus to school with as a kid, no less.  Thankfully, He survived and is back at work.  So, just know that the cops I work with are good hearted people who genuinely want to help.  Do we need to improve as a profession? Yup.  Do Doctors need to improve as a profession? Yup.  We spend a lot of time figuring out how to train and equip Officers in order to minimize the chance of ever having to do the unthinkable.

Ah - almost forgot - the logo.

I’d love to take the credit for it, but other than providing her some minimal input, a young lady at work came up with it.  (Thanks Hali.)  She's a generally agreeable sort - even if she does eat too many vegetables.  I've been encouraging her to cut back for the sake of vegetables everywhere.

Since policing is a bit of a lightening rod nationally, I debated what to do with the logo.  I wanted something unique, but hmmm???  I finally decided ya know what?  I’m proud of my service and that of the people I worked with over the years, hence the title of the blog and the flag.  I hope no one finds that to be offensive - but if so, I guess that’s a personal choice.  It’s getting more difficult to avoid offending sensibilities every day...

So here's what it means to me.  You've probably noted the Trans-Am route marked in Blue across the US and that the border is a bike chain.  I think the symbolism there is self evident so I won't bore you with additional thoughts.  I'm particularly fond of the "D" in "Ride" being a chain ring.  That part I'll take credit for.  The Title "The Thin Blue Ride" is a takeoff of the "Thin Red Line" which was originally a military reference.

The term "Thin Red Line" refers to a formation of the 93rd Highland Regiment of the British Army at the Battle of Balaclava in 1854, in which the Highlanders stood their ground against a Russian cavalry charge.

 Its adaptation to policing is somewhat clouded, but has apparently been around since maybe the 1950s when it came in use to describe the Police as the Thin Blue Line between order and chaos in a society.  Substitute "Ride" for "Line" and wa-la...  What have ya got if not a catchy phrase?

And just so ya know, this is the only post which will address anything remotely political.  I just felt kinda like it was unavoidable after mentioning my job.  I'll leave you with one final pic...

The previously mentioned tandem which Susan and I ride.  Pics of the bikes I'll use on The Thin Blue Ride will follow in another post.