This ex-cop next door

[Knothead]

Well, I'm presently minding the apartment of a friend while she's out of the country, and I go outside on the balcony to smoke. This is where I met Rick, an ex-LAPD officer. He comes out to yak and smoke, and bum cigs. Tells me when he gets his check, he'll pay me back. Anyway...

Rick likes to talk, and tell stories of his life as a cop. He's about my age, (50) so I understand that. He's got no teeth, has fabulous hair (I'm jealous of), and moves pretty good for a guy who's been through what he's been through.

Anyway, he tells me his stories...and he doesn't gripe, or anything, but man, you just would NOT believe what this guy has endured...two .32 rounds in the back (courtesy of a psych patient at a mental hospital, who was unwillingly discharged, and returned with a gun...Rick took the call. Long story. If you like, I'll tell you about it.).

Pins in his feet and ankles (another story). It messes up his walk in the winter when it gets cold, he says. Yeesh.

When I'm smoking, he'll come out and start telling his stories...and by now I know to put the cigs on the rail, and by now he knows he can help himself to 'em, then I put a few more on him when he finishes. It's like a ritual now.

It's an agony for him to ask for smokes. So I don't let him.

The punchline? He and his wife live in this not-so-great apartment, the guy bums cigs from me...not because he's too lazy to go and buy his own, he just can't afford them...

Christ Almighty, what the hell HAPPENED HERE?!? What system allows this guy, who has given so much, to just...rust away like this??

I went 'at' him, looking for a disciplinary action-type "bad cop" kind of deal, you know?

No dice. He showed me a letter of commendation from Darryl Gates (then Chief of LAPD) and it was written real personal. And in his recollections, I have never scented a whisp of racism (L.A. cops are notorious for racism) and try as I may, I cannot find a SPECK of "bad cop" on this guy!

I now believe he was an Honest Cop. One who tried his best to hew to an ideal of making the city better.

WTH? I ain't no Pollyanna, expecting everything to turn out all rosy for good people, but ********, this guy DESERVES better!! It's like he's just...forgotten, and thrown away.

WTH??

[Xeroid]

Sad. I can understand cutting a retired cop loose to live on his own pension but seems like someone who has gone above and beyond like this guy has could get taken care of a little better. Is he in any shape to even hold down a job now?

[Mickwish]

Typical service behaviour, Knot. Nurses and doctors that can no longer perform their jobs get the same kinda of shunning from their professional peers. I know, I worked as a hospital staff rehabilitation co-ordiantor long enough to see it over and over again.

It's as if they don't wanna know you any more when you get hurt and can no longer function as well as they expect you to.

So it's a golden handshake with fake gold, and see-you-around buddy. Only we don't want to see you around, you remind us of what could happen to us, so don't call us, we'll call you.

Too often it happens just like that, IMO.

Cheers
Mick

[super gerbil]

yeah this is sad. I have a real respect for cops, firemen, etc. He shouldn't live like this. sad very sad

[Knothead]

Originally posted by Xeroid
Sad. I can understand cutting a retired cop loose to live on his own pension but seems like someone who has gone above and beyond like this guy has could get taken care of a little better. Is he in any shape to even hold down a job now?

Well basically, no. He can't hold a job. Sometimes these guys retire and do 'Security' work. Isn't an option for Rick.

We were supposed to go out and hit the streets, he wanted to show me some furniture places down here, maybe some place where I could sell some of my stuff...heck, the guy knows every square inch of Long Beach, right?

So I'm banging on the door at 9 am, the wife answers and explains that he was up 'til 5 am, (back pain) and is still sleeping.

So I guess he ain't gonna get hired at Home Depot, or anyplace else.

[Martoch]

I know the feeling Knot...I bet the guy feels great having you around to talk to, so kudos to you for that. Not that it suprises me, you're a kind-hearted man.

Sad to say, today's society (and military) too often continue to live by the phrase, "don't think you're special, when you leave they'll be 1000 people waiting to replace you". I totally agree, Rick should definitely be well taken care of!

It's because he put his life on the line so many damn times that he can no longer live his own life to the fullest...what a slap in the face.

[Knothead]

Originally posted by Mickwish
Typical service behaviour, Knot. Nurses and doctors that can no longer perform their jobs get the same kinda of shunning from their professional peers. I know, I worked as a hospital staff rehabilitation co-ordiantor long enough to see it over and over again.

It's as if they don't wanna know you any more when you get hurt and can no longer function as well as they expect you to.

So it's a golden handshake with fake gold, and see-you-around buddy. Only we don't want to see you around, you remind us of what could happen to us, so don't call us, we'll call you.

Too often it happens just like that, IMO.

Good heavens. Actually, Mick, that explains quite a few things, actually....

Well, stand me up and paint me NAIVE...

One of these days, I'm gonna explain my view on the universe, our lives, and what it all means. And I intend to implore you guys to not be so disrespectful.

Although, the reason I haven't done so already is the fact that I think you guys already get it!

But what to do about the rest of these *******s, hmmm....

[Knothead]

Originally posted by Martoch

It's because he put his life on the line so many damn times that he can no longer live his own life to the fullest...what a slap in the face.

That's right, Mike, that's what is just killing me here.

[no1_vern]

Many people forget that in our society it ISN'T "what you did for us yesterday" thats important.

Our society requires that you do something THAT SOCIETY deams worthy TODAY! Look at what happened to the GIs in WW2, Korea, Veitnam, the Gulf war, Etc...

I see this everyday in our society, and for the most part I am unable to get people to listen to what is happening. What ever happened to COMPASSION??

[Knothead]

lol, I was just outside, apparently they can afford cat food for this messed-up cat (torn ear, wild, etc.) because they were filling these two bowls with food and water that they keep outside the door...

All I have outside the door is an ashtray.