I have tried to write this "a million times" The words have been locked in my head and heart, but are bleeding to get out....

A little over 12 years after graduation from the police academy of a great east coast metropolis, i was injured and forced to retire from one of the greatest jobs in the world.

Cops from the Metropolis Police Dept. refer to it as,'On the JOB,' as if it is the only job that matters...

The night of my first foot post I discovered why.
The city lights are so bright, but the night is very dark.when you are the one wearing blue.

I will never forget pinning my shield to my shirt, dawning my vest, removing the chest plate as the dinosaurs (cops who have been on the job since prehstoric times) warn that if you get shot on the plate it will just ricochet through your face, out....of course wanting to preserve the face!
Checking my gun(named Mary) and speed loaders....
Standing my first role call, receiving my first patrol assignment.... My first foot pursuit, responding to my first 10-13. My first dead child, my first delivery....

I willnever forget promotion day, my partner sneaking in off the street to see me get my gold Det. Shield...so happy to move to the 'Squad' so sad at the loss of my partner....a relationship that will take a whole other post to describe

22 years later and it was just like yesterday...and I still miss it so much