nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

This is for all my fellow Law Enforcement brethren.

For those of you who are Cops, you will find this very true.
For those of you who aren't... this gives you a little insight
as to why we are, the way we are.


Always a Cop:

When a good cop leaves the 'job' and retires to a better life, many are jealous, some are pleased and yet others, who may have already retired, wonder.
We wonder if he knows what he is leaving behind, because we already know. We know, for example, that after a lifetime of camaraderie that few experience, it will remain as a longing for those past times.

We know in the law enforcement life there is a fellowship which lasts long after the uniforms are hung up in the back of the closet . We know even if he throws them away, they will be on him with every step and breath that remains in his life. We also know how the very bearing of the man speaks of what he was and in his heart still is.
These are the burdens of the job. You will still look at people suspiciously, still see what others do not see or choose to ignore and always will look at the rest of the law enforcement world with a respect for what they do; only grown in a lifetime of knowing. Never think for one moment you are escaping from that life. You are only escaping the 'job' and merely being allowed to leave 'active' duty.

So what I wish for you is that whenever you ease into retirement, in your heart you never forget for one moment that 'Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called children of God,' and you are still a member of the greatest fraternity the world has ever known.


Civilian Friends vs . Police Friends

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Get upset if you're too busy to talk to them for a week.
POLICE FRIENDS: Are glad to see you after years, and will happily carry on the same conversation you were having the last time you met.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.
POLICE FRIENDS: Have cried with you.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back.
POLICE FRIENDS: Keep your stuff so long they forget it's yours.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Know a few things about you..
POLICE FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd is doing.
POLICE FRIENDS: Will kick the crowds' ass that left you behind.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Are for a while.
POLICE FRIENDS: Are for life.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have shared a few experiences. ..
POLICE FRIENDS: Have shared a lifetime of experiences no citizen could ever dream of...

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will take your drink away when they think
you've had enough
POLICE FRIENDS: Will look at you stumbling all over the place and say, 'You better drink the rest of that before you spill it!!' Then carry you home safely and put you to bed...

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will talk crap to the person who talks crap about you.
POLICE FRIENDS: Will knock them the hell out for using your name in vain.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will ignore this.
POLICE FRIENDS: Will forward this.



There are those that think they understand.
And then . . . there are cops

guts Loc: texas.

Not one but know a few, :thumbup: :thumbup:

handgunner Loc: Windsor Locks, Connecticut

I read "The Badge, the Street, and the Cop" by Leo LePage. It is a true story of an average Police Officer in Hartford Connecticut back in the '60s. It's a great read and I couldn't put it down.

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

and Veterans

mtclicker Loc: Montana

Thank you. Been there,done that, always will.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

I absolutely agree, and I am one of those too!

wally17 Loc: Ont,Canada

I was 32 yrs on the job, loved it,
still consider myself to be one,
have a lifetime membership in the police association.

if you have not been there, done that and have
the T shirt to prove it, you can't understand

Mercer Loc: Houston, TX, USA

To all of you, bad or good, fat or thin, living within any of the five colors, but all wearing blue: Thank you.

Sierracoyote Loc: Sierra Nevada Mountains

Looking back over 42-years of pinning on the badge and the changes:
Being issued a "Call-box" key to keep in touch with the station.
- Portable radios & radios in cars
- 9-1-1
- C.A.D.
- Cell phone in a bag
- Cell phone that fits a shirt pocket
- Computer terminal in car
- Heads-up display on car windshield
- Helmets to baseball caps - bullet proof vests
- night sticks to mace to pepper spray to Tasers
- shotguns to long rifles - .38 -9mm -357mag -.45 -.40
- Fingerprints to live scan to DNA
- Poison oak to AIDS
- Patrol cars - motorcycles - bicycles- helicopters - Personal Watercraft - Segway PT
And we thought Dick Tracy's wrist radio was cool...

GG462 Loc: Converse, Tx.

Where did you find " Always a Cop?" Retired after 27 yrs as a cop in Corpus Christi, Texas. It's awesome. Thanks for putting it on.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

My former partner( also retired) sent it to me today. I'll email him and ask where he got it, then pass it on to you. By the way, I lived in Corpus Christi while in training to be a Navy pilot in 1968.

GG462 Loc: Converse, Tx.

My son, a Coast Guard pilot is stationed there now. He is getting close to retirement though. I lived there for 33 yrs and after retirement moved to the San Antonio area.

heyrob Loc: Western Washington

My only regret is leaving the fraternity too soon. I was a cop for a short time, and when my children came along my wife didn't like me risking my life, so I resigned and put my education background to better use. Often think I should have gone back after my divorce, but never did. With a brother recently retired and a cousin still active, I'm going to pass this on to them. Thanks!

COI Jack Loc: Missouri

I was a corrections officer for fifteen years in a max facility, and the same stuff applies. I retired the first of June and now I am a volunteer, teaching English to offenders who are going for their GED. Hopefully, this will help them become better people.

matt thomas

nimbushopper...on "Always a cop"
Thanks...Your posting was meaningful to a lot of us.
Down to single officer all the guys I worked with were willing to give everything they had to keep the streets safe and the public from harm. Also, we must also not forget the fire-fighters who run into burning buildings when everyone else is going the other way.
God bless all those in uniform...both living and dead.