I’m going to take a minute to tell a quick story.
I mustered out of the Marine Corps in late 1975 and got a job as an aircraft electrician for Gulfstream. After about a year, as the junior man in the shop, I was laid off. After bouncing around, I was handed an application for the Savannah Police Department. Being an LEO had never been on my radar but, I filled it out, and took the test. I began the academy in January of 1978 and the rest is history … 43 years of history.
During that time, I managed to go from patrol officer to Chief of Police. In between, I got to do things most people only see in the movies. I got to work with the best the profession had to offer. I lost friends and saved lives. Laughed and cried. Made life-long friends as well as a few enemies. I was able to travel and continue my education and was given responsibilities few get a chance at. I met celebrities, kings, presidential candidates, political contenders, and international terrorists.
I have been asked many times if police work was exciting. My standard answer over time became, “It’s been about 98% boredom and 2% stark terror. So, it all evened out.” There are a million stories, but I’ll save them for later.
On February 28, I worked my final day as an LEO. I started with the Savannah PD in 1978 and retired in 2009. I retired from the Department of the Army Civilian Police in 2019. After three years with the Savannah-Chatham Board of education PD, I decided it was time to ‘pull the pin’ and turned in my resignation.
I feel good, I am healthy and I have no regrets. I have more I want to do and now I have the time. I still have some gas in the tank so, stand by.
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