This Page is Dedicated to Law Enforcement Officers Everywhere

Ladies and Gentlemen - I am greatly saddened by the news that Los Angeles County Sheriff Sherman Block Passed away on October 29, 1998. Law Enforcement, the citizens of L.A. County as well as the members of its Sheriff's Department have lost a very dedicated advocate for human rights and the protection of all citizens under his jusidiction and for law enforcement officers everywhere. For me, personally, I have my memories of serving under Sherman's guidence and support. I knew Sherman personally and would just like to say "Thank you Sherman for caring about us all and especially for being my friend".

Me - Assignment Station Detective Bureau 1982

As you can probably tell from the above graphics, I am a retired Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff, and very proud to have served with so many dedicated men and women, in this department. My career started in 1965 and ended in 1982, when I was medically retired due to injuries received in an on duty traffic accident. I served under Sheriff Peter Pitchess and current Sheriff Sherman Block, in the Corrections and Patrol Divisions.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is the largest Sheriff's Department in the world, and is rated as one of the top police agencies in the world, as well.

Working as a Deputy Sheriff, is the most rewarding job I have ever held. It not only gave me the opportunity to help people in need, but it also afforded me the chance to make their lives a little safer.

A Police Officers task is not an easy one. He/she must put his/her life on the line everyday, and unfortunately, far too many Officers are killed while trying to do their jobs. Without these dedicated people, we would live in chaos and continual fear. It is so easy to berate them, but how many of you have the courage to do what they do and risk what they risk. Think about it. Would you give up everything to protect someone you don't even know? They are not all perfect nor are all of them honest. Those who are not are weeded out by their fellow Officers. Believe me, no officer wants to work with someone who violates the trust given them, by the people they serve.

However, they can no longer complete their responsibilites without the help of every decent, law-abiding citizen, in the world. We must all become involved to help keep our communities safe from those who seek to take our property and lives. Please call your local policing agency to see what you can do to help. Thank you for your kind attention and understanding. May you walk in Peace and Love.

A PART OF AMERICA DIED TODAY

Somebody killed a policeman today, and a part of America died... A piece of this country he swore to protect, will be buried with him at his side... The beat that he worked was a battlefield, too, Just as if he had gone off to war. The flag of our country won't fly at half mast, To his name they will add a gold star.

The suspect that shot him will stand up in court with counsel demanding his rights, while a young widowed mother must work to feed her children and spend many, long, lonely nights.

Yes, somebody killed a policeman today, maybe in your town or mine... while we slept in comfort behind locked doors a cop put his life on the line.

Now his ghost walks the beat on a dark city street, And he stands at each rooky's side. He answered his call, of himself he gave his all, and part of America has died.

In memory of all law enforcement officers slain in the line of duty.

ME, THE LOUSY COP !

Well, Mr. Citizen, I guess you've figured me out. I seem to fit neatly in the category where you have placed me. I am stereotyped, characterized, standardized, classified, grouped and always typical. Unfortunately, the reverse is not true-- I can never figure you out! From birth you teach your children that I am the boogeyman, and then you're shocked when they identify with my traditional enemy, the criminal! You accuse me of coddling juveniles until I catch YOUR kid doing wrong. You may take an hour for lunch and several coffee breaks each day, but point me out as a loafer if you catch me having just one cup! You pride yourself on your polished manners, but think nothing of disrupting my meals with your troubles.

You raise hell with the guy who cuts you off in traffic, but let me catch you doing the same thing, and I'm picking on you. You know all the traffic laws, but have never gotten a ticket you deserve!

You shout "foul" if you observe me driving too fast to an emergency call, but raise hell if I take more than ten seconds to respond to your call. You call it "part of my job" if someone strikes me, but it's police brutality if I strike back. You would not think of telling your dentist how to pull a badly decayed tooth, or your doctor how to remove your appendix, but are always willing to give me a few pointers on the law. You talk to me in a manner that would assure a bloody nose from anybody else, but expect me to take it without batting an eye.

You cry "Something has got to be done about all the crime!" but you can't be bothered with getting involved. You have no use for me at all, but of course it's OK if I change a flat tire for your wife, or deliver your child in the back seat of my patrol car on the way to the hospital, or save your son's life with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, or work many hours overtime looking for your lost daughter.

So, Mr. Citizen, you stand there on your soapbox and rant and rave about the way I do my work, calling me every name in the book, but never stopping to think that your property, your family, or even your life, depends on me or one of my buddies.

Yes, Mr. Citizen. It's me, the "lousy cop!"

Written by a Sheriff's Deputy�s Wife.

THE COP!

I have seen what you fear to see; I have been where you fear to be; I have done what you fear to do; all these thing I have done for you. I am a person you lean upon, the one you cast your scorn upon, the one you bring your troubles to, all these people I've been for you. The one you ask to stand apart, the one you feel should have no heart, the one you call "THE COP". But I am just a person, not to be hated. And through the years, I've come to see, that I'm not always what you ask of me. So take this badge---take this gun---Will you take it, will anyone?

Author Unknown

NAMELESS

NO ONE KNOWS MY NAME, though I am very famous.