Who/what inspired you to become an LEO?

**Jenna** · 05-23-07, 12:40 AM

Who or what was influential in your decision to become an LEO? Friends, relatives, LEOs who helped you or your loved ones in a time of crisis, etc.? TV shows, movies, newspaper stories?, life events, etc.?

**Sapper_132** · 05-23-07, 12:52 AM

For me it was my grandfather. He retired from Chicago PD in 1973 I think it was. (I'm not that old) But when I was a child I used to get to meet all of his friends down town, at the bars, ride on the 3 wheeled bikes, ride in patrol cars etc. He died in 1986, that was when I had decided that thats what I wanted to do. He helped alot of people and alot of people knew of him.

When I graduated the Police Academy I was presented with his retirement badge, service revolver, hand cuffs and some of his other uniform items.

Now my sister who looked up to me, is at the academy she graduates on June 21st.

**Cst.SB** · 05-23-07, 12:52 AM

My SLO/SRO... he was a great guy, and later headed up the gang squad...

Which is why I decided to do two years of it myself. And I hope that I have the same effect on someone else.

**Morning Coffee** · 05-23-07, 01:19 AM

I was raised around Law Enforcement all my life , it just seems second nature to me , another reason i dont always understand divorces in l.e. but then again maybe i understand the job too much .

**conalabu** · 05-23-07, 02:13 AM

Originally Posted by tjpuclik2

Now my sister who looked up to me, is at the academy she graduates on June 21st.

She a midget?

**conalabu** · 05-23-07, 02:14 AM

For me it was ChiPs. C'mon, that show rocked.

**lewisipso** · 05-23-07, 02:22 AM

A cross between childhood abuse and my Step Grandfather. Living the way I was raised was not pleasant and although I hold no hard feelings toward my Step Father I just wanted to do my part to deter that behavior as much as I could. Law Enforcement just seemed the right way to go. I consider myself blessed. I knew what I wanted to do from way early on.
My Grandfather was a living legend in my eyes. He was the type of man who did not have a lot of gray area. Everything was pretty much right or wrong. He taught me a lot about morals, principles, and doing people the right way. Those ideals help me make my decisions in the field to this day. Fair but firm.
This is a subject I could discuss for a while but that's the gist of it. I loved this job before I ever got the badge.

**59480** · 05-23-07, 02:53 AM

Originally Posted by Jenna

Who or what was influential in your decision to become an LEO? Friends, relatives, LEOs who helped you or your loved ones in a time of crisis, etc.? TV shows, movies, newspaper stories?, life events, etc.?

My dad was a Detroit cop, I respected LEOs from being around them and went into the military and have always wanted to be a cop. Might sound cornie but protect and serve, kind of like in the military and protecting our great country from dirtballs (have to keep it clean)

**conalabu** · 05-23-07, 03:34 AM

You guys are making me feel all warm and fuzzy.

Never mind, that is the Jack.

In all seriousness, I really don't know the why. My family raised me to always do the "right" thing. To always protect the weaker. To do my duty. Later, while in college, I read the same words in Kant, Aristotle, Mills, and Klockars. Sometimes, deep thought and wise words start simple and grow big.

Cheech · 05-23-07, 04:51 AM

Originally Posted by Jenna

Who or what was influential in your decision to become an LEO? Friends, relatives, LEOs who helped you or your loved ones in a time of crisis, etc.? TV shows, movies, newspaper stories?, life events, etc.?

I remember my uncle lighting a m - 80 and tossing it in the street when LASO rolled up and busted him when I was like four. Ever since I thought cops were bad ass... So i followed and became one!

**Resident Smart Ass** · 05-23-07, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by conalabu

For me it was ChiPs. C'mon, that show rocked.

+1

and don't forget SWAT, Hill Street Blues and Hawaii 5-0, Starsky and Hutch

**Rhino** · 05-23-07, 08:01 AM

One man:

**TXCOP** · 05-23-07, 08:38 AM

My grandfather. He was a Tarrant County Deputy (in an era when TCLEOSE didn't exist and the deputies wore green pants and white shirts

) I remember him coming home from work and telling me he needed to buy a new sap because he had torn the ear off a bad guy and gotten blood on it.

He was my hero.

**Jackalope** · 05-23-07, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by conalabu

You guys are making me feel all warm and fuzzy.

Never mind, that is the Jack.

Hey, thanks Con! You make me feel warm and fuzzy too!

**Crimebytes2** · 05-23-07, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by conalabu

Later, while in college, I read the same words in Kant, Aristotle, Mills, and Klockars. Sometimes, deep thought and wise words start simple and grow big.

I have to agree, con! In fact, of all my textbooks, my ethics text is the only one I didn't sell back at the end of the semester... I still refer back to it often. Of those philosphers mentioned, who do you relate to more? I really like Kant. I've never heard of Klockars.

**blackcamaro8895** · 05-23-07, 05:48 PM

In my dad's second marriage (which ended a year later), i had a stepbrother named Jeremy Stitzlein. He was a cop on South Bass island and he always told me about his life up there. He also graduated from the college i go to now. He was a wonderful person, and made my time living there awesome, when i could spend time with him, riding the Harley and smoking beef jerkey. My story is really similar to Lewisipso's story. Anyway, Jeremy left for the Army and soon after that the divorce happened and we moved again. I havent seen Jeremy for over two years. He doesnt even know Im doing now what he did in the past. I wish i could just talk to him. I have no way to get ahold of him, he probably has no idea im in L.E. If anyone is from Ohio and knows him or how i could possibly get ahold of him, please tell me.

Other than that, I do it because I want to change the way people think about the dumb shit they do. And it matches my personality...... Im responsible and honest. I might sound like an ass or corny or whatever.......but its the truth. Also......theres alot of people on the streets that need to be in jail. And i plan to put them there. Tee hee.

**Sapper_132** · 05-23-07, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by conalabu

She hot?

Yeah but she bats for the pink team!

**conalabu** · 05-23-07, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by tjpuclik2

Yeah but she bats for the pink team!

Introduce us, I will do the rest.

**BEK** · 05-23-07, 08:36 PM

I have YET to drive in a car like that or work deep undercover like cracker....i mean crocket

**Pedro56** · 05-23-07, 09:06 PM

Well, my father, mother and step-father are all still active police officers in Chicago. It was something though that I always wanted to do. I had my heart set on a short stint in the Military and a career with the cops since I was 6, so I can't really say who it was.