Flood Update: August 26th

If you’ve heard very little to nothing about the devastation a recent no-name storm caused in south Louisiana, then please read my original post from August 18th and the August 21st update.   I’ve added some news links with the abridged version, as well as some video/photos:  

This video is of the main road off of the interstate that goes to my hometown.


And this one shows the residential areas in my hometown...



The interview Fox News did with Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard is worth a watch for a better idea of how many people are affected: Painful Truth About Louisiana's Flood

There were more than 80% of the homes flooded and destroyed.  Thirty (30) parishes were declared disaster areas. Thirteen people lost their lives to this unprecedented storm.

The below picture is of the Livingston Parish 9-1-1 Communication Center that started taking on water August 12th.  Look closely, you'll see the waterline hit above four feet.  Imagine our comm center, which is also on the first floor of an old brick building, flooded with four feet of muddy river water.  That's our lifeline when things break bad.  Our communication with others, aside from officer safety, is one of the most important aspects of our job.

The flood waters receded for most areas, the devastation becomes demolition, and the piles of debris become toxic as it sits roadside waiting for the dump trucks.  Louisiana is a state engulfed with heat and humidity.  Add muddy river-water-drenched debris and you can watch the mold spread before your eyes.

Some areas are still flooded with up to two feet of stagnant black river water.  Until the surrounding rivers go down, the water has nowhere to go.  And you have to get over the whole Hurricane Katrina / New Orleans is below sea level.

One of the hardest hit areas happens to be my hometown of Denham Springs, in the heart of Livingston Parish.  This town is over 40 feet above sea level.  This is where my relief efforts will be focused.  With the amazing support of friends, family, and the kindness of strangers, I've been blessed with donations of clothes, toiletries, cleaning supplies, etc. that are overflowing my garage.  It's more than I ever expected, and quite frankly, if it takes more than one trip to deliver it all, then more than one trip I'll gladly make.

As trucks unload, there's another call for help, another shelter in need, another rescue underway.  The supplies dwindle.  Stores lack inventory.  Merchandise is being delivered, however there's very few businesses dry enough to take anything in.

The first responders are pulling double duty with working around the clock to continue the rescues, only to go home to start demolishing mold infested drywall and pulling up wood floors.  They get a couple hours of sleep/rest then return to work for another shift.  Outside law enforcement and fire rescue agencies are sending their personnel as backup.  Several outside police agencies have sent manpower to be temporarily sworn deputies in Livingston Parish.  They've prevented and/or caught red handed several looters.  So on top of the rescues, the lack of supplies, the rotting houses, and long hours, our fellow first responders are also the forgotten victims.

I don't usually share much about my life in such an open forum due to my job as a moving target for cop haters.  This devastation has created a bigger threat for me.  My family is affected, my friends are affected, my home is affected.

I made the excuse recently that because this natural disaster didn't touch my agency here in Florida, or my community, then no one would care; why should they, it only affects me.  I was wrong.  It affects everyone around me.  To show you a glimpse of just how much it affects those around me, here's a picture of day 1 donations followed by day 4.  If it didn't affect those around me, none of this would've been possible.

                                                                      DAY 1...                                    

"The actions of everyday heroes make a bigger statement than any words you'll ever hear." 

Day 4...

There are so many things still needed.  Please note, I'm not accepting any monetary donations.  You can google local Louisiana organizations you wish to send money to.  Preferably not the American Red Cross, who is NOT using the funds donated (or anything else for that matter) to help the flood victims.  Before you donate to a generic organization please do your research.

Here's the main requests being sent to the Louisiana Flood Rescue page and updates from loved ones:

1. bottled water
2. toiletries
3. dust masks
4. gloves
5. tools (for demolition and rebuilding)
6. Mold Killer: MoldSTAT, Concrobium, etc. (BLEACH DOES NOT KILL MOLD)
7. OdoBan / Lysol
8. Paper towels
9. Blankets / Pillows
10. Towels
11. Plastic Bins
12. Pet supplies (all animals) 
13. First aid kits
14. Food / snacks for first responders on shift as well as shelters

I'll be out and about this weekend picking up donations around the county to add to the truck.  If you wish to donate anything please don't feel as though you have to purchase it (unless it's underwear or toothbrush)!  I've said it before, a roll of paper towels and a half bottle of cleaner from under your sink is just as useful as anything else you could purchase.

The truck will be loaded Wednesday, August 31st.  Everything from renting the truck, fuel, and a one way flight home is out of pocket.  Please understand that no donations will be picked up or accepted past Tuesday, August 30th.  It's a tight schedule for the next six days to get this done.  I'm making this haul by myself, so prayers for safe travels is also appreciated.

Stay tuned for updates ...

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Sissi M.
ragin.mccajun@gmail.com

*or if you know me personally through friends/work please feel free to call or text me.

Help and Prayers Please

I'm heartbroken trying to find the words to type, and asking for help from all who read this.  As many of you are UNaware, due to lack of news coverage, political priority, or no loved ones affected by it, this past weekend over 105,000 people in South Louisiana lost everything to widespread flooding.  Among those 105,000+ people are my family and friends.  My entire hometown, the entire parish of Livingston and surrounding parishes were drowned in muddy river water as high as rooftops in some areas.  Over 30 parishes are considered disaster areas.

I currently live in Florida, which counties here are the same thing as parishes in Louisiana. To look at a basic county map of FL and color in 30 of them...that's  the entire peninsula of the state below Citrus/Volusia County.  In Louisiana (it's shaped like a boot for you non-geography types) that's the entire foot area, ankle deep, of the state.  There's basically nothing left but a leg warmer on the map for that region. Can you grasp the widespread area that's affected?  

The pictures and videos shared on social media were the only updates many people were getting because there's no national coverage showing the mass devastation.  The storm was no warning for the amount of rain that dumped over the state since last week.  Some areas as much as 31 inches in twenty-four hours.  When I started getting calls about it I immediately turned to The Weather Channel to see what the updates were.  There was no breaking news for it, no interruption of regularly scheduled storm chaser documentaries.  I changed the channel to a dozen news stations...nothing but politics and Olympics.  The "-ics" were more important than the worst natural disaster the country has seen since Hurricane Sandy in 2012.  There was no tropical storm, no hurricane, no levees breaking.  It was rain, so much rain that overflowed the rivers and canals surrounding that area.  

I was off on Monday, and spent the majority of it on the phone and online trying to reach loved ones.  AT&T cell service was completely down, leaving hundreds of thousands with no means of communication.  No phones, no tv, and soon after that no electricity.  By Tuesday, emotionally drained, frustrated, and feeling helpless, I went to work.  Mind you, the majority of my coworkers know I'm from Louisiana.  I seriously thought I worked with a bunch of a-holes that day because everyone carried on like all was right in the world.  When I showed coworkers the devastation they were astonished it wasn't being shown on the news, none of them knew.       

The critics asked why no one evacuated.  People did evacuate.  By the time they realized how fast the waters were rising and the rain wasn't stopping, it was already too late.  A flash flood hit some areas while others thought they were safe, then the currents changed and flooded them too.  

One friend said they fell asleep Friday night not thinking anything of it since the roads weren't even covered in their subdivision.  This area wasn't even near a flood zone.  The next morning they woke to nearly a foot of water surrounding their bed.  

The following night another friend called in tears saying she had evacuated her home with her two kids the day before only to be trapped on the roof of another home.  They waited for hours in pouring rain for rescue boats as they watched the flood waters reach the overhang.  Her husband is deployed overseas and she had no way to reach him.  

My best friend lost all of her belongings aside from the clothes on her back.  She barely made it to her parents in time with fire rescue to save them from rising waters. They lost one of four family pets to the flood.  Her parents home went under, as well as her grandmother's, and her brother's home.  

My niece, God bless her, sent her friends and their small children on the first round of rescue evacuations.  She stayed, alone, with her three dogs.  Her fiance was stuck in New Orleans with no way to get to her.  The waters kept rising to the point she was forced to seek higher ground.  She waded across to a neighbor who provided as much dry shelter as they could.  Rescue boats returned two days later and she made it safely to my sister's house Sunday night.  

More updates from friends trying to find family members, or reporting found children who were separated from their parents during the fast rising flood waters.  One young boy was alone on the roof of a car where he sat in the rain through the night until boaters rescued him.  He looked no older than twelve.  Another update showed caskets floating down the road.

The death toll has risen to thirteen.  One of the victims identified was a friend of the family.  Ms. Linda Bishop was trying to get to safety when the water came out of nowhere and swept her off the road.  Trapped, she drowned in her vehicle.  Another lady and her adult daughter escaped from their car only to be swept into the trees where the mother was rescued 16 hours later.  Her daughter disappeared.  When the waters receded her daughter's body was found less than ten feet from where she was rescued.  She lost two children that day.  They were on their way to identify her son who had died earlier Friday from a heart attack.   

Strangers flocked to the areas with boats and rafts to help other strangers through murky water, pouring rain, and darkness.   Hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, animal shelters, churches, food banks, the Salvation Army and Goodwills, grocery stores, gas stations, food distributions centers for the grocery stores and gas stations, schools, shelters, first responder buildings and emergency operations centers...EVERYTHING flooded.  

The most surreal statement came from Deputy Nick Tullier's father who keeps loved ones updated on his status.  Deputy Tullier was one of the officers ambushed by the coward in Baton Rouge who murdered three police officers, more were injured, and Deputy Tullier was shot multiple times.  He's still unconscious fighting for his life after nearly 30 days of intensive care. That care is being provided by hospital staff who haven't been able to leave because their relief is waiting to be rescued.  They've had little to no contact with loved ones, unknown if their homes are still standing or if they've also lost everything, yet they continue to care for patients and meet the needs of the community with medical care.  

My fellow law enforcement family and first responders face complete losses of their homes while they work endless hours to rescue others.  The missing persons list is growing.  Even with the major interstates and roadways opening to a slow crawl as flood waters recede, the supplies are dwindling, and needs are rising.      

I broke down after I received a text from my mom today when I asked what the main needs for people were.  She replied with a list then said: "The Baton Rouge Food bank got 4 feet of water, so they have taken a hit but companies from other states have come in and are providing hot meals where they are needed.  Grocery stores are having a hard time getting restocked because the distribution centers also got water.  And supplies from elsewhere couldn't get to a lot of places because of high water and road closures.  Driving to and from work is like a horror movie.  All the debris from the flooded houses is piled high on every road.  This is going to take a long time to recover from because it's so widespread."    

This link is to one of many collections of photographs friends are sharing with updates: Flood of 2016 , and if you feel so inclined to search for more on Google just type in Louisiana Flooding...go ahead, I'll wait. 

One more worth looking at is a live feed facebook video by John Schneider.  If any of you ask who that is I'd normally yell at you to get off my blog.  As a gentle reminder to those less cultured in Dukes of Hazard royalty, he also played Superman's adopted dad in the T.V. series Smallville.  Just watch the video:

If you didn't bother to open any of the links or read the delayed news stories then I hope you at least read this and find it in your hearts (and garages, attics, closets and storage) to donate whatever used/new items you can. This is a list of some of the basic needs requested:

1. bottled water
2. non-perishable foods
3. toothbrushes
4. toothpaste
5. wet wipes
6. deodorant
7. soaps
8. shampoos
9. Feminine products 
10. baby formula
11. diapers
12. pet foods (dry/canned/half used bags even! So many abandoned/lost) 
13. cleaning supplies (MOLD KILLER)
14. trash bags
15. gloves
16. dust masks
17. plastic bins
18. towels
19. blankets
20. pillows

Please also consider donating any professional services that will assist in the cleanup, temporary storage units, even temporary housing such as tents.  

I'm asking all of my local friends, coworkers, acquaintances, kindness of strangers, and anyone else they can share this with, to gather what they can for donations of the above items.  If you're nearby or on the way, feel free to contact me and I'll make arrangements to have the items picked up.  You can also donate through one of the local banks to Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office flood relief fund.  

**August 19th update: 

To answer a few questions asked from amazing people who are gathering items, I'm leaving the Central Florida area on September 1st to bring the supplies.  

Contact info is below, but here it is again:  ragin.mccajun@yahoo.com  to Sissi M. for information/questions/and drop off locations.  

Items to donate are not limited to the above list; those are just the immediate needs.  YES old towels/wash cloths are welcome, YES old blankets/pillows are welcome, YES these items need to be clean as they will be going directly to first responders for distribution to the shelters and communities in need--there's no place for many of these folks to bathe, let alone wash clothes.  

A roll of paper towels and a half empty bottle of cleaner from under your sink is just as needed and appreciated as any new items.  Please don't feel you have to buy anything to donate.  My boys and I have lawn bags full of old clothes and shoes that we're sending.  An 84 year old console piano I had planned to paint for an art piece is now going to a church that can use it for a much greater purpose.  Beach chairs, a tent, some duplicate tools we have in the garage.  These are simple things we can live without that are huge needs for so many people back home who are without everything.  

Please remember our fellow first responders in these flooded areas have also lost everything, even work gear.  If there's any law enforcement/fire fighter/EMS/support personnel who wish to donate gear I'll make direct contact with the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office to have it distributed.  They continue to work around the clock in less than human conditions.  

P.S. ...anybody know where I can get a fire truck?  One of the fire stations was a complete loss. Figured it can't hurt to ask! 

God bless all of you and thank you for your continued prayers.  

Contact Sissi M.: ragin.mccajun@yahoo.com  for information/questions/and drop off locations.  

Dear Mr. Ice Cube,...

“The song is as relevant to me today as it was when we recorded it. We appeal to the good cops to weed out these bad cops and maybe we’ll get some progress.” ~O'Shea Jackson, a.k.a. Ice Cube, reference his N.W.A. song 'F--k tha Police'.

This statement in its full context (found here on Yahoo) is like fighting fire with fire.  It only makes the issue worse.  If there's going to be any chance at real change FOR THE BETTER then support the good cops, start sharing the good stories about police, and all of our men and women willing to put their lives on the line for complete strangers.  Somehow in the mix of this police hatred it's turned into a race-baiter's playground.  Since when are all police white?  The political asshats who are stirring the pot on this should check their eyesight.  
If they want to make a race issue against police, they should look at gender issues too.  Like why, as a female officer, I have to wear a duty belt and holster designed for a male?  We're individually fitted for our vests so why not tailor our essential tools to us as well?  I'll tell you why.  Because no one gives a damn about what it takes to do our job.  They expect us to do it no matter what we have or don't have in order to get it done.  In return, I expect law abiding citizens to comply to lawful directions just as I expect the law breaking citizens to be made to comply.  The road to hell is paved with good intentions.  I'll take that trip just to stand guard at the gates of hell and make sure none of those bastards ever get out.  

This is the beginning of what a nation without law enforcement will be like:  (CNN) A Birmingham, Alabama, police detective who was pistol-whipped unconscious said Friday that he hesitated to use force because he didn't want to be accused of needlessly killing an unarmed man. "A lot of officers are being too cautious because of what's going on in the media," said the officer, who asked to remain anonymous for the safety of his family. "I hesitated because I didn't want to be in the media like I am right now."

Wake up, America.  When we as law enforcement hesitate to protect ourselves, do you really think we'll jump in to protect you?  You can't fight fire with fire, Mr. 'Ice Cube'.  Even firefighters use water to put out the flames.  

The hardest thing to understand about Freedom of Speech is that for law enforcement it's not free.  Others can spew their hatred and personal beliefs, where we are expected to just nod agree or be publicly persecuted for having an individual opinion. 

Instead of listening to the hatred and supporting the hashtags for #blacklivesmatter vs #policelivesmatter as a negative platform, we should be blasting the social media bullies who created such a divide.  My life matters.  My family's lives matter.  The people I'm sworn to protect, their lives matter.  The guy who threatens me and points a gun in my face, his life matters, even when I end it.  No headline is going to stop me from protecting myself or those around me.  The few injustices by officers who made bad decisions or who are corrupt and abuse their power is FAR outweighed by the silent thousands who are good officers, who walk the line and uphold justice, and put their lives on the line every day for a thankless society.  

I'm blessed to work with men and women who know my ability to do my job is more important than the color of my skin.  I'm blessed to live in a community where the majority appreciate law enforcement. 

Here's to all the good law enforcement officers.  And here's some POSITIVE NEWS for law enforcement, take a look at these good cops: 

Georgia Cop Saves 2 Lives in 1 Shift

Maryland Officer Saves 10-day Old from Choking

Austin Police Officer Saves Woman's Life During Traffic Stop

Ft. Lauderdale Police Officer Saves Woman's Life

Ft. Worth Police Officer Kellie Whitehead Saves Drowning Man From Lake Como


"To change the hearts and minds of men you must learn to listen; otherwise your words will fall on deaf ears, for the opinions of fools are always louder. ~L.S. Buckley"

#Mylifematters

The controversy over whose life matters with hashtag #blacklivesmatter and #bluelivesmatter is stupid.  You know whose life matters? Mine.  My life matters.  

I’m more than the thin blue line I walk, the badge I wear, the uniform and agency I represent.  I’m also a mom, wife, daughter, sister, mentor, and friend.  I do my best to make the right decisions, to help others, and to make this world a safer place.  I matter because of all of those things.  I matter because those things matter to me.  I matter because I choose to.  

Justice is blind.  People are not.  We judge by what we see and hear, and what we see is from a narrowed perspective, what we hear is what we are told.  It takes more than one person to make a nation so violent and unforgiving.  It will take more than one person to make our nation peaceful and able to forgive.

#Mylifematters.  Does yours?

To my non-LEO husband...

To my non-LEO husband,

I see social media posts from several police wives cheering on their husbands who wear the badge and vest every day protecting their communities.   I see wives wear shirts or necklaces with some sort of “proud police wife” logo, read blogs by other LEO wives, and have forums just for them.  It’s heartwarming and a welcome sight to know my fellow officers have this support. 

What I don’t see is the public support for police husbands.  It’s not a traditional role to have just the wife as the law enforcement officer.  There’s usually the husband as the LEO or both spouses wearing the badge.  I don’t see “proud police husband” on shirts or coffee mugs.  They’re made to order perhaps.    

You sacrifice so much more as my husband because of my job than any of our friends could understand.  Over the years you've watched me put on my gun and badge, kiss me goodbye, and tell me every time I leave for work, “I love you, be careful.”   

You've had family and friends question how you deal with knowing the dangers of my job.  I've been asked numerous times if you were also a cop.  When I tell them “no” the next question is usually, “Really?  What does he think of you being a cop?”  There’s no simple answer so I just say, “You’d have to ask him.”    

You've listened to sirens in the distance and wondered if it was me headed to a call in progress, or my zone partners headed to me for backup.  You've paced for hours unable to reach me after hearing that a female deputy was shot on our very street, and had to keep your bearing for the sake of our boys until you knew I was okay.  You've watched breaking news of violence against police officers across the nation then watched me get ready for work to respond to similar threats of violence in our own community. 

You've been woken in the middle of the night by me having to leave for a call out even on days that I wasn't supposed to be on call.  You've dealt with last minute cancellations for dinner or plans with friends because I ended up with a late arrest.  You've had to leave work early to get our boys because I'm stuck on a crime scene.

You've put up with squad parties surrounded by cops talking in ten-codes you don’t understand, and see me laughing with them about inside jokes you “had to be there” to find funny.   On holidays I've had to work, you've made your homemade sauce and baked ziti for my zone partners knowing it would be our only hot meal that day. 

You've listened to me talk about calls for service that would give most people nightmares.  You've watched me struggle with my own nightmares from certain calls that I couldn't talk about.  You've accepted my career choice and told me numerous times you’re proud of me.  You understand why I do this job.  

I see this.  All of this.   Thank you for your constant support, your sacrifices, and for keeping faith and God in our family.  I love you more. 

#coplife

You can hash tag anything on social media and it will invariably lead you to a world wide web of similar posts/articles/pictures etc.  The one I look up often is #coplife.  It brings up a plethora of police memes and a few anti-law enforcement rants.  It also brings up a few real stories of real police officers who wear the badge each day to ultimately be a part of something bigger, something that makes a difference.

The difference it makes isn't just in the community.  It's also in us.  Sometimes good, sometimes bad.  Each of us sacrifice a piece of ourselves on every call for service.  One day we look in the mirror and see a faded version of the hotshot rookie who thought they were invincible.  The spark has left our eyes, the newness of the job worn off with a layer of crass and criticism formed.  Our response to certain crimes becomes desensitized.

Eventually you get to a level where there's more politics involved in a decision than there is toilet paper to wipe up the crap that follows.  It becomes harder to make the best decision for the people on the front lines and more about what the immediate response will be if we don't "do this now to appease the public".  Our actions have become governed by the media and restrained by our own fear of being the next headline racist even when we act under the color of law....even if we bare the same color of skin.  

Then there's that moment.  A moment that makes or breaks us as cops.  It makes us question our faith, our priorities, our morals.  Yes, it's fun to chase the bad guys, it's rewarding to catch them, but it's downright humbling when a true victim is able to say thank you. 

Fellow law enforcement officers have agreed to share those moments in order for me to write them down and share with others.  A few have said it was therapeutic and they were glad to have had the chance to finally talk about it.  I give full credit to the brave men and women I am so blessed to work with for opening old wounds, picking old scars, and allowing me to pry a little bit.  

More will be added in a second installment after I get the first one launched so message me if you'd like your #coplife story included.  

With each story I've edited and typed I saw a part of me in that officer/deputy.  It humbled me to know just how vulnerable we all are.  This is my #coplife.

  

You Get What You Pay For?

I’ve been playing devil’s advocate with the gun control media frenzy. It’s fun to watch them scramble on the latest breaking news then find out there’s nothing new the government can do other than cost tax payers more money for research.

The POTUS proposed a $500 million dollar plan to ban assaultweapons and make private sales of firearms illegal, and a $10 million dollar plan for research by the CDC into possible linkages between violent video games, media images and real-life violence. An ESTIMATED $510 million dollars for something that will not stop the bad guys from getting guns and killing people when they set their mind to it, yet we are not even one month into 2013 and the majority of Americans are already losing $200+ per household a paycheck from the tax mayhem. The gun laws already on the books need to be enforced before they start binding them with new ones.

Listen up! If you are convicted of a felony you are no longer allowed to possess a firearm (right to bear arms). That sounds fair for the basic version of bad guys. Keep reading. When a person in Baker Acted it is considered a medical condition that falls under HIPPA. This is a privacy act that protects people’s medical business from being public information. Under the new laws proposed people who are Baker Acted will no longer be allowed to possess firearms. This means your medical information in this regard will become public information in order to be tracked.  A person Baker Acted will be no different than a convicted felon if they are caught in possession of a firearm. If this goes through then they will also be subject to search just like a convicted felon in order to ensure the law is properly executed.  This means anyone they reside with will also be subject to this law in order to keep them from having access to firearms.  Still sound fair?

Don't go off on the "protect our children" soap box. I firmly believe in protecting our children, MY CHILDREN, and everyone else who needs protection. I wholeheartedly agree that we need to make it impossible for the bad guys to access any weapon.   Banning them will keep everyone from having them so that solves everything!   Banning them is stupid.  It keeps the honest people honest, and the bad guys get creative. 

I’m a cop. I’m also a mom of two active boys and a wife to a Jarhead who will eat a steak as long as he doesn’t know how it died. We own firearms. Our boys know how to shoot, and our oldest knows how to access them in case of an emergency. Teaching them these things are important to us for two reasons: One is for safety, the other is for protection.

I also have a diverse group of friends. Some are for gun ownership, others are against it and a few are on the fence. I respect their opinions and reasons for each. Though most people’s apprehension over firearms is their lack of exposure and training with them, some folks just aren’t gun people. My ancestors called them ‘gatherers’.
 

With my profession I see gun ownership as a double-edged sword. You have them for sport/hunting/protection, or you have them for killing. We’re usually the target which is why we carry guns. Safety is our first priority, and if I can’t get there fast enough to save you then guess who wins?  

Here’s my perspective in a nutshell:  Average speed of a bullet fired from a 9mm is 955 mph. Average speeds of a police car running lights and sirens in a busy city is 85 mph at best. It only takes one bullet. Bad guys with guns trump the good guys without them. Bad guys with a plan win when the good guys don’t have one.

Stop blaming the laws, gun manufacturers, video games, and crazy people.   A person that makes the decision to kill another human being does so out of CHOICE.  The rest of us have the same access and exposure as the bad guys yet we choose to abide by the law.  If anything else, arm yourself with knowledge instead of spreading fear. 

And for the sake of We the People, STOP WASTING OUR MONEY!

 

Worth It

There are a lot of things that make my job stressful.  I've seen it wear on coworkers, physically and emotionally.  I've seen it in my own reflection at the end of a rough shift. 

One of the toughest calls I've had to take recently came out just as I had left the area it occurred in.  I was on my way to a verbal disturbance when the tone alert sounded.  A two year old boy was found in the pool, unknown time lapse.  Clearing a median to get around traffic, without even skimming the hedges, I hit the lights and sirens.  I always think the A/C drops out when my car goes into emergency mode, but I'm pretty sure my adrenaline has something to do with the sudden temperature change. 

Traffic in this area is frustrating on a slow day, even more so when the cars just STOP right in front of you because they panic when they see blue lights.  It reminds me of Frogger trying to cross over the main road.  CAD updates, the little boy is out of the pool and the caller had given rescue breaths.  The little boy was breathing and could be heard crying in the background.

As I pulled up and ran to the door a young woman opened it, hair soaking wet, eyes full of tears, and her arms wrapped around her son.  He was responsive but kept trying to fall asleep she said.  His eyes would close and head fall to her shoulder as she hurried around the house trying to focus and gather what she needed to get him to the hospital. 

It was then I had to stop and make her sit down.  She took a deep breath, pressing her lips to his head trying to hold back her tears.  I held his hand, rubbing his fingers and arm to keep him awake until Fire Rescue arrived.  Softly saying his name to keep his attention, she hugged him.  She squeezed my hand and closed her eyes.  In that moment I felt the pain a mother feels when her child is hurt.  Helpless and vulnerable, even a little angry. 

Fire Rescue came in and assessed the little boy.  He was breathing on his own, but they were concerned with his vitals and needed to transport him.  The greatest sound heard during the ordeal was him screaming when they put the IV in his arm.  Even his mother seemed relieved with the outcry from him, a sign of hope in her mind.

The investigation showed he was just a fast little boy that got away from his mom while she was busy in the house.  The safety precautions were all in place for the pool.  A curious little boy just figured out how to get around them.  The mom was very brave and acted fast to save his life. 

The dad rushed from work to meet them at the hospital. The grandparents and other family arrived shortly after.  I was standing by as the agent finished speaking with the parents, and kept peeking in to see the little boy.  He was all smiles and talking by then.  Even with his improvement the doctor wanted him to be admitted to Arnold Palmer in Orlando.  The family surrounded him as I backed out of the room and waved bye.  He gave me a thumbs up and smiled.  I was sure he'd be fine, but we never know the full outcome.  It's the nature of the beast.  You do what you can at that time then shake it off and move on to the next call. 

This time I got to see the outcome.  A few days later while on scene at a retail theft the loss prevention officer said someone was outside the office asking for me.  When I opened the door the dad and little boy were standing there smiling.  His son had seen me when I walked in and wanted to say Hi.  His dad said they were doing great and would be moving into their new house soon...one without a pool!  Seeing the little boy smile and getting a hug from him made every ounce of the day worth it. 

There were plenty of calls I've been to where the difference between life and death was in my hands.  This was not one of those calls.  I did nothing more than hold a mom's hand and reassure a little boy he'd be fine.  As law enforcement we are often disliked, lied to, and targeted.  It's calls like this that humbles us and shows us that what we do makes a difference.  To us it's a job, but to others we're the first hope they have when they call for help.  It's worth it. 

End of Watch

A silence fell across Brevard County, it spread across the country to reach as far as overseas. Cell phones rang, text messages chimed, and social media spread the news like wildfire as everyone panicked to find out if their loved one was okay. God called an angel home today.

A fellow deputy, veteran of 30 years in law enforcement, ran to the fight. She stood in the line of fire to protect and serve her community. Barb, I give my humble thanks to you for your service. You’re guidance and mentorship will be passed on to many future deputies. Your story will be retold a thousand times over of your heroism and sacrifice. There is no justice for the loss of a loved one. There are no words for the emotions those left behind will have to face. The one thing we all know is that God gave us a guardian angel today we will call by name. Deputy Sheriff Barbara Pill, end of watch March 6, 2012. God Bless.

Today, I had no words to give loved ones as the calls and messages poured in asking if I was okay other than ‘Yeah’. The comments left on my social media pages tugged at my heart as I saw the support from friends all over the world. The most surreal moment today was when my 13 year old son asked for me when I got home. He and I have a “butt heads and never see eye-to-eye” relationship.

I walked in his room where he was already tucked in bed. He looked at me and asked, “Was she a friend?” I replied, “Yeah. She was an awesome friend.” He sat up with open arms and gave me a big hug. I promised him I would be an old woman before I die and that I would be around a long time to stay on his butt about everything. Then he squeezed me a little tighter and said, “I love you, mom.” That moment made me realize the difference I make. My husband and boys are my strength, and my greatest weakness. I thank God for them.

****

For those who get upset with law enforcement when you get pulled over, they show up at your door because your neighbor complained about you, or you see cops sitting at a coffee shop and think of the stereotype, think about this:

On a daily basis we get called to the interstate for a reckless driver that turns into a deadly traffic crash; to an area where there was a 9-1-1 hangup with no other information only to find it was a wanted felon waiting to ambush us; to a domestic violence call where a kid beat up mom or mom beat a kid, where a guy beat his girlfriend to death in front of her kids; we get called to the scene where a child was sexually abused by a relative, then the next call is in a suburb where there’s a noise complaint from a neighbor. On a daily basis we arrive on scene with limited information and are expected to solve the publics’ problems in minutes that took them years to create.

On a daily basis we face the unknown dangers of a traffic stop, a 9-1-1 hangup, a fight in progress, a robbery or burglary, or a person with mental issues who went off their meds and isn’t law enforcement friendly. On a daily basis we go hours if not a full shift without eating or being able to stop and use a bathroom. We endure public ridicule at the cost of protecting their freedom of speech.  On a daily basis we are moving targets for the bad guys who hunt us just as we hunt them.

Now think about this: At the end of shift, by the grace of God and our training, we go home. We sit down with loved ones who ask, “How was your day?” You don't tell them the bad.  My reply, “Another busy day. How was yours?”

I ask only this of my friends and family, of my readers, of my critics: Think of your worst fear, multiply it by infinity, and look over your shoulder as you run away. You’ll see us running to face what you fear. It’s not about what we do, it’s about what we’re willing to do.  Today, Barb reminded us of that. 

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20120306/NEWS01/120306010/Veteran-Brevard-deputy-killed-Melbourne-fleeing-suspects-detained?odyssey=nav%7Chead