Looking back on my career there is one moment which stands out that I will never forget! At times I have reflected back on this moment to remind myself of why I chose this career path.
One August night during a community oriented function called “National Night Out” I was taken by surprise. I was tired, my feet hurt, and I wanted to be done smiling at people I didn’t know. My partners and I were cleaning up the park as fast as we could so we could race home and be with our families. I was taking down donation fliers when I heard a voice from behind say, “You have an admirer.” I remember thinking as I turned around, “Great, now who wants to make a sly comment about arresting them?”
Much to my surprise there was a little girl about five years old standing behind me looking up with bright wide eyes. She turned her head into her daddy’s chest and smiled as I knelt down to talk. Her dad told me she wanted to meet a police officer and she picked me.
I asked the little girl what her name was and she said, “I want to be a police officer like you when I grow up.” At that moment she completely melted my heart. I talked with her for a short period about her night in the park. Before she left I gave her a hug and told her she made me smile, as I held back tears of joy.
Later it was discovered a reporter had snapped a photo of us talking. I cherish this photo, if only she knew the impact she has had on my career. She makes me proud and reminds me of what I am, a protector and a role model!
Learn more about Golden Police Department at: http://ci.golden.co.us/SectionIndex.asp?SectionID=28