A countybear rant: I was there...

**countybear** · 07-31-07, 03:29 AM

Dear Mr. Citizen,

I heard when you remarked, “They are never here when you need them…” but…

When that new alarm system went off at your business, and the alarm company couldn’t get a hold of you, I was there. I know you wanted to be, to make sure everything was all right, but I was, and it was.

When you were on vacation, and the newspapers began to pile up in your driveway advertising that you were away, I was there to pick them up. I also walked around your place and checked the windows and doors for you. You never knew it, but I was there.

When your son had just gotten his license and let his new found freedom go to his head a bit, I was there, too. He got a reminder of his responsibility as a driver. You got angry with me, but I was there. When your daughter and her friends had that wreck in town, I was there too. I realize that you really wanted to be, but I was. I called you and let you know she was ok. Remember?

When your wife was going to her Mother’s to visit, and they had a flat on a darkened, lonely stretch of highway, I was there. I know you wanted to be, but I was. I changed that tire, just like you would have.

When your Mother fell and broke her hip, I was there. I know you couldn’t be, but I was. I held her hand for you. I quieted her fears. I helped the Medics lift her gently into the ambulance.

When your child got lost at the fair, when your wallet got lost at the airport, and when you saw that strange guy hanging around the park, I was there.

When the storm came in, you left your home for higher ground, and people who didn’t listen to the warnings were looking to scavenge your lifesavings after it passed, I was there. I know you were really glad not to be, but I was there. When terror struck and buildings fell, I was there.

When my daughter played a solo at the band concert, I couldn’t be there, but you were. You clapped for my daughter, just not as loudly as I would have. Someone else’s daughter had been in a wreck and needed me more.

When my son ran back that interception for a 52-yard touchdown, I couldn’t be there, but you were. You cheered for him, just not as loudly as I would have. Someone else’s son needed to be reminded not to drive recklessly.

When the local team won the championship, when the church had the fundraiser, when our favorite band came in concert, I couldn’t make it, but you did. Someone else’s mother needed a hand to hold. Someone else’s alarm went off. Someone else’s newspapers needed to be picked up.

When my family wanted me to share a moment, needed me to talk to, or needed advice on life, I wasn’t there, either. Someone else’s family needed me more, to protect them, advise them, or even just listen to them.

When my wife left, she said, “You’re never here…”, "I want a normal life", and “Your family just isn't important enough to you”. If she only knew…

Why, do you ask, would anyone pay so dearly to do a job like mine? Imagine if no one would, and no one really was there...

Signed, your often-overlooked friend,

The law enforcement officer.

**pc830cop** · 07-31-07, 04:06 AM

thanks for posting. Sometimes I need something to remind me why I am a cop

**lewisipso** · 07-31-07, 04:25 AM

You might want to copyright that. You know, so no one steals it.

**conalabu** · 07-31-07, 07:35 AM

Chris... Wow. That about sums up the general attitude of the public in my area and probably everyone else's. Awesome write.

**Resident Smart Ass** · 07-31-07, 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by conalabu

Chris... Wow. That about sums up the general attitude of the public in my area and probably everyone else's. Awesome write.

+1

**Jenna** · 07-31-07, 07:51 AM

Moving and powerful, as usual.

**Resident Smart Ass** · 07-31-07, 07:55 AM

Dear Mr. Citizen,

I heard when you remarked, “They are never here when you need them…” but…

When that new alarm system went off at your business, and the alarm company couldn’t get a hold of you, I was there. I know you wanted to be, to make sure everything was all right, but I was, and it was.

When you were on vacation, and the newspapers began to pile up in your driveway advertising that you were away, I was there to pick them up. I also walked around your place and checked the windows and doors for you. You never knew it, but I was there.

When your son had just gotten his license and let his new found freedom go to his head a bit, I was there, too. He got a reminder of his responsibility as a driver. You got angry with me, but I was there. When your daughter and her friends had that wreck in town, I was there too. I realize that you really wanted to be, but I was. I called you and let you know she was ok. Remember?

When your wife was going to her Mother’s to visit, and they had a flat on a darkened, lonely stretch of highway, I was there. I know you wanted to be, but I was. I changed that tire, just like you would have.

When your Mother fell and broke her hip, I was there. I know you couldn’t be, but I was. I held her hand for you. I quieted her fears. I helped the Medics lift her gently into the ambulance.

When your child got lost at the fair, when your wallet got lost at the airport, and when you saw that strange guy hanging around the park, I was there.

When the storm came in, you left your home for higher ground, and people who didn’t listen to the warnings were looking to scavenge your lifesavings after it passed, I was there. I know you were really glad not to be, but I was there. When terror struck and buildings fell, I was there.

When my daughter played a solo at the band concert, I couldn’t be there, but you were. You clapped for my daughter, just not as loudly as I would have. Someone else’s daughter had been in a wreck and needed me more.

When my son ran back that interception for a 52-yard touchdown, I couldn’t be there, but you were. You cheered for him, just not as loudly as I would have. Someone else’s son needed to be reminded not to drive recklessly.

When the local team won the championship, when the church had the fundraiser, when our favorite band came in concert, I couldn’t make it, but you did. Someone else’s mother needed a hand to hold. Someone else’s alarm went off. Someone else’s newspapers needed to be picked up.

When my family wanted me to share a moment, needed me to talk to, or needed advice on life, I wasn’t there, either. Someone else’s family needed me more, to protect them, advise them, or even just listen to them.

When my wife left, she said, “You’re never here…”, "I want a normal life", and “Your family just isn't important enough to you”. If she only knew…

Why, do you ask, would anyone pay so dearly to do a job like mine? Imagine if no one would, and no one really was there...

Signed, your often-overlooked friend,

The law enforcement officer.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to countybear again

**TXCharlie** · 07-31-07, 08:10 AM

Very Good, CountyBear!

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to countybear again.

Again, you should submit your writings to some police magazines like http://www.apbweb.com/

http://www.americanthinker.com/ might be a good civilian online magazine to submit to, also... It's the one that Bob Weir uses to archive his newspaper editorials.

**TXPO710** · 07-31-07, 08:36 AM

This should definitly get out to those who need it. All major networks and newspappers. You Sir are a poet!!!

**Rhino** · 07-31-07, 09:24 AM

Probably your best post to date. I say probably, because I usually don't make it all the way to the end. But, I did on this one.

I'm going to blog it. If you want me to give proper credit other than "a guy on one of the cop forums I regular", then shoot me a PM and it will be done.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to countybear again.

**kjlaw** · 07-31-07, 09:34 AM

As usual Outstanding Post by Bear. That sums up what we as law enforcment officers do every day.

Keep up the good work!

**cidp24a** · 07-31-07, 10:01 AM

Awesome !!!!

**Illiy** · 07-31-07, 10:23 AM

I needed that today!

Awesome!

**k-9max** · 07-31-07, 10:47 AM

Awesome job brother,

Kinda hits home, ya know

Rep Sent

**SaraJ** · 07-31-07, 11:42 AM

I swear I don't know what keeps you guys going. I don't see how you can do this sort of stuff every day and still have time and emotion for wife/husband and family. Maybe that's why I not only like but have super respect for cops. You're a couple of cuts above other people.

**Twan007** · 07-31-07, 12:08 PM

County - you never cease to amaze me with your insight and wisdom, not just this post, but all the wisdom and knowledge you have shared

thank you brother, be safe