As I cruise the streets
at night I find myself remembering different scenes
from the past as I drive by them.
When I cross the twin bridges I remember the two twisted bodies in the creek
bed.
I remember the double murder in the dirty yard in front of the apartment
building, and the gang related murder just down the street.
I recall the fire that claimed the father and son in that little trailer.
The list is endless.
And as I drive by the corner lot on the east side of town I can't help but
slow down and look as I recount the events in my memory that ended his life.
He had run from the police and was found hiding up in the frame of a large
truck.
I found myself under the bed of the truck attempting to get him out when he
produced the gun.
It's amazing how small a big guy can get when the need arises.
He had decided he wasn't coming out.
I was behind the wheels of the truck wishing I could become a gopher.
As I stepped out from behind the wheels looking for better cover a shot rang
out.
I didn't know if he had shot me or somebody had shot him or...I just knew
that I was going to live through this and the best way to do that was to
take the gun fight to him.
With no shot to take and no good cover I stood my ground, hoping my guardian
angel was close.
This would have been a good time to have become a doctor or dentist
or...well anything but a cop.
Then I saw it, the gun dropped then his arm dropped...and it was over.
He had sent a hot .38 slug through his head.
He was a young man in his prime.
How could his life mean so little to him?
What could have been so bad?
How did he get to this point?
Why?
Why?
Why?
We worked the scene and then went back on patrol.
I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me the rest of the night.
The truck is no longer there but the memory of that night is forever burned
into my mind.
Even now when I drive by that corner lot I have to look over there and
wonder...how cheap is a life?
Det. Sgt. D.J. Rogers
Cleburne, Tx. P. D. SWAT