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Goood Cop /Bad Cop These days the news is full of stories of abusive and corrupt police officers. I have seen my share of these in real life and having been a radical college student in the 60's it's easy to see them in this light . However, there are some wonderful ones out there as well. I was fortunate to run across one of them during my recent mountain break down. As I mentioned before “Old Red” ,the 22 year old 4X4 explorer, decided to blow the transmission going up to a camp ground in the high Sierra. We were about 11 miles from the nearest town, 40 miles from Fresno, the only place with any sort of services and a couple of miles from a little country market. Of course there was no cell service. Nothing to do but go for help, namely a tow truck. Complication – Chuck has chronic health issues and was not having a good day when we left home against my better judgement. The altitude and stress of the situation did not help. He was wandering about (against my suggestions, but what man listens when it comes to mechanical or health issues) trying to get a cell signal like one of the commercials. A local guy saw him and stopped. After some discussion Chuck promised to stay in the car while the guy took me back to the store to call the tow truck. I was hesitant to leave him but one of us had to go for help and Chuck admitted he was not cognitively up to dealing with taking care of things. Not sure if I should call the auto club or paramedics, I let the guy drive me to the little market. He graciously refused to leave me there, insisting on waiting for me to drive me back to the car. Calling the Auto Club was no easy process and took about 15 min. Just as I was trying to explain again that we were out in country and didn’t have street numbers someone put an arm around my shoulders. It was a Highway Patrol officer. He had come across the car and Chuck, called in the AAA request for a tow truck and came to find me. I thanked him and said that I had a ride back to the car with the young man who had stopped by. He told me that he would take me back and wait with me for the tow truck – after reassuring me that Chuck was OK. He told me that my rescuer had been arrested in the past for DUI. That that didn’t bother me because lots of my friends and family had similar issues over the years and the guy was sober and helpful in the moment. The officer insisted on looking after me. He cleared out the front seat of his vehicle and had me join him there. I thought that was against regulations but definitely more comfortable than riding in the back. We went back to Chuck and the car and the officer waited with us until the tow truck arrived. He and the tow truck driver decided that they would tow the Explorer to the campgrounds so we could use it as our tent while deciding what to do next. The CHP Officer says he will drive me the 40 miles back into Fresno so I can rent a car. He had me wait in the patrol car while he tossed gravel on transmission oil so motorcycles would not slide in it, picked up my back pack (my pink one yet) and carried it back to his car for me. He said we had to notify CalTrans about the road hazard so he took me with him as we drove out to the CalTrans Worker’s house to let him know. The area is so remote that the local CalTrans emergency is a guy with a company pick up in his back yard. Then it was off on the 40 mile drive down the mountain. The officer radioed the park ranger to go to the campsite to let my know what was going on so they wouldn’t be worried about me. He called the car rental agencies to see what ones were open. They were at the airport so he drove me there and stopped right in front of the area where they were located. Next he had me wait in the car while he went in to see if they were open. Once he had verified that he escorted me up to the counter and made sure I could be helped before he left. I could not thank him enough for this exceptional service. His response “It’s my job”. Yes, there are some good ones out there too but I suspect we don’t hear much about them. Spiritwoman ^i^ |
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Most people tend to be helpful when they find you in situations like the one you were experiencing. Glad to hear that the outcome was a good one. Alfie...
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I enjoyed this blog. There are still good people who do the right thing even if they are in law enforcement. . The beginning of life, conception..
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^5!!! Many, many police officers go the extra mile...so to speak. But as in most cases, we don't hear about them! Thanks for this blog! Police rock!!!! 
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7/5/2014 9:09 pm |
So true. I am so glad I got one of the good ones this time instead of the one I got when my license tag had been stolen and I didn't know it. My daughter and I plus a 6 year old and an infant were packed into a small car with all of our gear and covered in dust. He didn't like my last name which he told me was "strange". Then he proceeded to give us a bad time becasue he said he smelled alcohol. None daughter no I had been drinking all week end. He finally reluctantly said that maybe it was sun tan product. I started to give him a piece of my mind but my daughter talked me into shutting up before I got arrested. Spiritwoman ^i^
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7/5/2014 9:11 pm |
Most people tend to be helpful when they find you in situations like the one you were experiencing. Glad to hear that the outcome was a good one. Alfie... Spiritwoman ^i^
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7/5/2014 9:11 pm |
I enjoyed this blog. There are still good people who do the right thing even if they are in law enforcement. Spiritwoman ^i^
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7/5/2014 9:13 pm |
^5!!! Many, many police officers go the extra mile...so to speak. But as in most cases, we don't hear about them! Thanks for this blog! Police rock!!!! Spiritwoman ^i^
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7/5/2014 9:14 pm |
Sounds like an interesting career. And yes, they are all individuals. Spiritwoman ^i^
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7/5/2014 9:22 pm |
Congrats on your new car. I need to start looking for another van or truck but have been lazy about this one. "old red" was perfect for the back woods stuff as long as he lasted. I figure if I need one sooner than I get one I can rent a U-Haul. Chuck is doing OK but his issues are chronic so it's a day by day thing. Some are good some not so good but we try not to let that stop him from enjoying life any more than it has to. He reminded me when I was hesitant to start out on this adventure that if he is going to die he can do that anywhere. Very true. No point is limiting living in the present as long as it does not do further harm. Spiritwoman ^i^
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Thank you for sharing your personnel adventure. Although I found it interesting, it was quite an exhausting ordeal for you and Chuck. Glad it turned out OK.
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7/6/2014 11:15 am |
He did. He was young by my standards but not that young by the standards of the job. He must have some amazing personal values and a good support system not to have allowed the job harden him. Law enforcement folks have to face so much hatred and horrible things every day it has to be so hard for them to remain caring people. Spiritwoman ^i^
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7/6/2014 11:20 am |
Thank you for sharing your personnel adventure. Although I found it interesting, it was quite an exhausting ordeal for you and Chuck. Glad it turned out OK. Spiritwoman ^i^
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