August 6 - Jeremy Henwood "Buy a Burger" Day

Most of you out there may not recognize the name Jeremy Henwood. Go ahead and click on his name and read a bit about him, I'll wait.

Back? Good. What the Officer Down Memorial Page doesn't explain is that just before Officer Henwood was murdered, he performed a random act of kindness by buying a child a meal at a McDonald's restaurant. Not because he had to, but because it was right and that's the kind of guy he was.

So as a way to remember Officer Henwood, along with other fallen heroes like him, Tuesday August 6th is the unofficial "Buy a Burger Day" in honor of him. Its simple folks, all you have to do is to buy a burger or sandwich for a stranger. Tell them your doing it for Jeremy. It may seem like a small act but such random acts of kindness can lead to bigger ones. Maybe in this small way we can make each of our little parts of the world a bit better.

So don't forget about it on August 6th and pass the word on to your friends. And thanks to The Wise Guy for bring this to my attention.

And to Jeremy Henwood, his family and fellow officers, you and your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sincerely,

STC

You all snitch, get over it.

So recent events, along with this whole stop snitching thing I read about, have brought about this quick little blog about "snitching."

(Note: By “snitching” I am talking about a mope rolling over on another mope, not Joe Citizen telling about something they saw or heard. That’s not “snitching,” that’s being a decent person and trying to make your little part of the world safer or better.)

Here is a fun little fact that I have learned during my career…95% of those arrested for a crime would “snitch” out their own family upon being arrested.* Trust me, it’s a true story and the reason behind the saying there’s no honor among thieves. It’s human nature to look out for yourself when you get into trouble.

Think about it, when you were little and got into trouble with your friends or siblings how many times did you blame it on them? I’ll bet quite a bit.

Well it’s the same when you are an adult, particularly among those who commit the occasional or repeated social faux pas (criminal act) or who tend to self-medicate with liquid refreshments or narcotics. It’s usually not personal (well, sometimes it is) but more of self-preservation. The majority of people will always look out for themselves before others.

Personally, I love it when our local mopes turn on each other. Anything that makes it easier for me to slap you into those fashionable nickel plated bracelets is fabulous for us. You get arrested, your friends get arrested and I clear a case or two off of your information. What’s not to like!? But I am digressing a bit.

The point I am trying to make is that the overwhelming majority of those who do crimes will give up others that commit crimes in order to save themselves. So don’t whine about it. Don’t bitch and groan when someone gives you up. At some time you will be arrested and most likely you will spill out some information on someone else. Own it. It’s yours. Quit being a baby about it, you did have the right to remain silent after all.

If you don’t want to “snitch,” or get “snitched on,” then maybe you should not be committing crimes.

Of course, this is just my opinion and I am admittedly biased. 

* Unofficial study results by STC

If you don't like cops, read this take on us...

I came across this posting after another more famous blogger, MotorCop posted about it and thought it should be shared.

I don't care what you think know about law enforcement, but give it a read. You can get to the blog by clicking this link, Next time you think, "I don't like cops. You may find yourself with a better understanding and maybe a different attitude about cops.

Great job Mr. WiseGuy! You sir are a mensch. God bless.

To the Angry Relative

To the Angry Relative,

While I understand that you are upset at the predicament that your [insert appropriate relationship here] currently is in, I think that maybe your indignation is being misplaced. In an effort to help you find some peace with the issue, please let me take this moment to redirect your anger at its proper place.

First of all, I think you have a misunderstanding of what my job responsibilities are. As a law enforcement officer I am responsible for investigating and arresting those who commit crimes. I do not encourage, cajole, push or force others into committing crimes. Despite what you think, it’s a matter of pride & honor for me and my law enforcement brothers & sisters not to do so. But I know you wouldn’t understand that.

The fact of the matter is that criminals commit their crimes BY THEIR OWN CHOICE. Which I think is the part you don’t just get.

Maybe it is guilt on your part. Guilt because you weren’t a better [insert your relationship here]. Perhaps if you had been a better [insert relationship here] your ass clown would not be going around committing crimes and getting arrested. Perhaps if you would have held your ass clown responsible for the crimes they were committing instead of blaming everyone else for them, they would not be such the proverbial hemorrhoid on society’s butt.

What you are doing is what I refer to as being an “ostrich.” You place the blame for your ass clown’s acts anywhere and everywhere but on your ass clown, which is akin to burying your head in the ground like an ostrich.

So do everyone a favor and direct your anger, ridicule, overt hatred and petty threats at your [insert relationship here], not at me or my fellow officers, as ultimately your ass clown is the one responsible for their own legal woes. Perhaps if you had done so earlier in life they would not be such an ass clown, which regrettably they have proven to be a failure at as evidenced by being caught.

Good luck to you and your personal criminal,

SmallTownCopper

Do you know who I am!?

Here is something that irks me, actually there are quite a few things that irk me, but this is right at the top of the list. True story.

What is it you ask? The dreaded “Do you know who I am!?”

This lovely gem of a question from someone I stop or am dealing with always makes me pause and take a deep breath, which is my personal action of choice to prevent popping off and having to explain to the Head Shed why they received a complaint that the normally friendly officer hurt the feelings of the poor picked upon self important turd citizen.

The fact of the matter is that as a police officer, if I am talking to you regarding my job it does not matter whether or not I know you.

What should be of greater importance to you Mr, Mrs or Ms S.I.T. (Self-Important Turd), is that 1) you have committed some type of traffic and/or criminal violation in my presence or 2) someone has reported you as having or you match the description of someone having committed some sort of social faux pas (i.e. a crime.)

It doesn't matter to me that you’re the second cousin of the mayor’s neighbor or that your aunt’s sister’s cousin’s best friend sat next to the Police Chief/Sheriff in preschool. Either way, my knowledge (or lack of knowledge) of your identity is a moot point. In fact, it is a sign of my being a professional (no laughing from those who know my secret identity) that I can, strike that, that I am legally bound to enforce the laws in an impartial manner without regard to who you know or who you (incorrectly think) you may  be.

That's one of the beauties of our system of justice. It is the same for everyone. The argument about how the courts work is reserved for another post or two.

So please remember, save your sense of self importance for others, if you break the law you get the same consideration as everyone else gets from me, period.

Of course it is fun to arrest/ticket those who are legends in their own minds.

Man I feel better. This blogging thing is great for the soul.

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day!

Hope you all have a safe holiday and to those in law enforcement, fire, EMS and the military working to keep our great nation safe, I offer my humble thanks and y'all stay safe out there, wherever you may be.

And don't forget to wear your vests people!