Graduation from the Police Academy was a very happy day. So I invited my mentor, the Sergeant in charge of sheparding recruits, and his wife to a BBQ and pool party for a small celebration.
We told 'academy' stories and laughed alot. He and his wife were just a lot of fun. We'd polished of a couple bottles of wine and had a little buzz going as we jumped into the pool/
We all played a game of Marco Polo and every one was having a good time. As it got later into the evening we relaxed on the steps of the pool he says to me, "So, when is your first shift?"
"Tomorrow." I replied.
"What shift did you get assigned to?" he asked.
"Midnights."
So he says, "Well isn't that in a couple hours from now?"
Holy crap! Here I was partying and I had to report to my first squad meeting in less than 3 hours!
That buzz burned off real quick as I rushed to prepare for my first shift meeting.
When we walked out the cruiser my training officer asked me if I wanted to drive.
"Naw, think I'll pass tonite if you don't mind. I didn't think that was such a good idea. I was not under the influence but I didn't want to take any chances.
A few hours into the shift we responded to a hit and run crash. The remaining vehicle was so heavily damaged and there was a lot of debris from the car that left the scene. We looked through it and there on the ground was a magnetic 'hide-a-key' box directly below where the 'run' car would have been, inside was an ignition key.
We followed the leaking fluid trail about 12 blocks and found a car with extensive front end damage. The driver, a woman, was passed behind the wheel. She denied being the other half of our hit and run, but her goose was cooked.
Sorry, Cinderella, your key fits! Duh....................
I learned a couple lessons that night:
- Pay closer attention to my schedule.
- Never party a few hours before work
- There is no substitute for good friends who've got your back
- To err is human, to forgive is not department policy
- and there but for the grace of luck went I.
I never did that again!
(well, maybe a couple times, but I'm just sayin')
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