My Friend Shaggy

My friend and fellow officer Jonathan Stuart was a great police officer and an even greater person. To me he was known as "Shaggy"; A nickname he aquired in the police academy for his likeness to the Scooby Doo's character (for his looks and carefree disposition). He was also the first officer I personally knew as a friend to die.

On August 11, 2007 at about 7:00 in the morning, he was making his usual long drive home after completing an overnight shift. On a freeway south of town, he lost control of his vehicle and was killed when his car collided with another in the oncoming lane. The other driver was also killed. I don't know what caused the accident but it appears he may have fallen asleep.

The night before, my shift ended at midnight and I joked with him on my way out the door. I had no idea that as I slept comfortably in my bed at home, my friend Shaggy was being air lifted to a hospital in critical condition. The surgeons were unable to overcome his fatal injuries. He died just before I started my shift later in the day at 2:00.

Officer Stuart was a three year veteran and the most liked person at my police station. The mood among us has been subdued since his death and I find myself thinking about him many times a day. He was the hardest working cop I knew who answered up for the calls nobody else wanted. He loved being a patrol officer and wanted to work the streets for his entire career. Policework was his life and his passion for it was obvious. He treated citizens with respect and made many friends with the people he served in his patrol area. He was honorable, loyal, kind, wise, and funny. He was the kind of guy you enjoyed being around and who enjoyed being around you. He was everbody's friend and put everyone else before himself.

I'm not fully able to express what a great person he was. I miss his grin, sarcasm, friendliness, and the distinctive twang in his voice he used when announcing his call sign over the radio. I keep catching glimpses of him -rounding a corner inside my police station or driving by in a patrol car -only to realize it's some other officer.

I'm sorry another person lost his life along with Jonathan that day. I know he would be devastated by this. He lived for the protection of others and, given the chance, would have sacrificed his own life to save that of another.

I don't why such a promising and important life had to end this way. I do know one thing, however: If there really is a heaven, Shaggy is up there doing what he always did down here on Earth -working tirelessly to make it a better place for others.

Never get Busted Again

Awhile ago I read an article about a former police officer who produced a series of DVD's educating criminals on how NOT to get caught. The videos offer a sure-fire way to avoid being pulled over by cops. I didn't think anyone would be stupid enough to actually buy these but I was proven wrong.

I found this DVD inside a car I recently pulled over. This issue (volume 1) deals with traffic stops. The uninsured and unlicensed driver watched with dismay as his car was towed away and impounded. If this video-maker has any kind of money back guarantee, I don't expect he'll be in business for very long.

CRUEL
One person who will surely be busted is the pathetic piece of crap I've dealt with a few times over the past few months for domestic disputes. A far too common call came from his house from his girlfriend over a fight. This guy and girl were constantly fighting and breaking up/getting restraining orders/cancelling the restraining orders/getting back together/repeat.


Each time I came to his rented house I saw a bunch of Pit Bulls chained to various pieces of junk in the backyard. They had little water or food so I made him come outside and take care of his dogs. The dogs were aggressive and wouldn't let me anywhere near them. The Humane Society was contacted but the dogs were not in bad enough shape to confiscate so he was allowed to keep them.


Then, we got a call from a concerned neighbor about the welfare of the dogs. Apparently, the guy was evicted so he gathered his stuff and left the dogs to fend for themselves in the backyard. He even took the water hose from the backyard on his way out. The summer heat was around 110 degrees all week and there was little shade back there. The dry dirt yard had no water and many of the dogs' chains were tangled so badly they couldn't move more than a few inches.


It was too much for one unlucky dog as it succumbed to the heat or was choked to death by a the cable around its neck. The neighbor brought over his hose and I sprayed down the remaining dogs with water while waiting for the Humane Society to arrive. I filled the water bowls and moved closer to try to untangle the twisted chains. A litter puppies I had seen before was now gone.

These dogs that wanted to attack me weeks before now whimpered and whined for help as I approached. My anger simmered as I pictured these poor guys suffering for an unknown number of days. Fortunately, I remembered the owner's name and was able to pull up his information on my car computer. A felony animal cruelty report was created and it's only a matter of time before he is arrested and charged.

Kids and Cars

"Dad, can I borrow the car?"

"Sure son, take the Corolla."

"C'mon, that thing's stupid. Let me take Mustang."

"Son, you know that '67 Mustang is my pride and joy. I spent years perfectly restoring it and it's finally in car show condition."

"I know, that's why I want to show it to my friends at Starbucks. "

"Uh....I don't know, you've only been driving for a few months and I know how teenagers drive."

"Dad, relax; I'll take the side streets; What could possibly happen?"

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Somehow, this kid ended up smashing into a stone and morter column after "losing control" while making a right turn in a residential street with a 35 MPH speed limit. Instead of writing him a ticket, I decided to let him call Dad and tell him to come and get him. The picture doesn't do justice to the mint conditing this fully restored classic car was in.