Retirement

Today was the last day of my law enforcement career. 

Maria retired from her second career at Beverly's on Wednesday after retiring from LE in 2008. OK she was technically still in LE dealing with all those bratty kids in the store.

I started my career as a Reserve Police Officer with the San Luis Obispo Police Department at the ripe old age of 19 in 1979. 

In 1981 on my twenty first birthday I was hired as a Police Officer for the City of Culver City in LA County. I spent almost 4 years there and had the time of my life as far as policing goes. I learned so much. 

In December of 1984 I was hired as a Deputy Sheriff in SLO joining my twin brother (the jungle cat) who was hired the year prior. I spent the past 30 years working all three stations, administration and SED. I was lucky enough to promote through the ranks to Chief Deputy.  I was even luckier meeting the love of my life Maria at the 7-11 4th and Grand in 1988. Hard to believe but she didn't like me at first but I guess she felt sorry for me and agreed to a date. She said it was for a free dinner. The rest is history.  She has put up with me for the past 25 years and I can hardly wait to spend the rest of my life with her traveling the world.

During my career I've made a lifetime of friends and did things people would never believe. Greg Smith (ccpd), Brad Melson, Ken Conway, Jim Taylor and I were all car partners. At the time we thought we were on the top of the world and I know we all look back at those times as the best of our careers. Thanks you guys for the laughs and having my back. We were just kids but we acted like old salts. 

As I reflected on my career the past few months I thought of the co-workers who are no longer with us. Nick Marquart, Leaping Leon Cole, Bob Sherwood,  Barbara and Nadine (the best station clerks ever!) and Rob Byrn just to name a few. They gave a significant portion of their life to the department and now their gone. I guess we'll all get there someday (hopefully later than sooner ). I miss all of our co-workers that have passed and wish I could turn the hands of time back and tell them thanks for being part of my career. 

As most of you know we have two children in LE. Christina at Santa Barbara PD and now Nicholas at Santa Maria PD. And our oldest (yes Val 35) Valerie is at AMR driving the ambulance (meat wagon). I am so proud of all of them. Their great "kids" but I lay awake at night worrying I'm going to hear the knock on the door and a Police Officer will be standing there to tell us something no parent wants to hear. I've been that police officer knocking at the door during my career.  All those kids were good kids from good families and they left their families way to soon.. I will never forget those contacts and I think of their families loss often. All the parents were very gracious and I might have never showed it but I grieved with them and still do. .

So enough with the sad stuff. I want to thank everyone I worked with the past 35 years and wish you all well in whatever lies ahead in your lifes. 

I'm 10-10 for the last time en route with my bride to the motor home for whatever adventures lie ahead :)