My husband is a police officer – for better or worse.

Today is the two-year anniversary of the death of Michael Brown in nearby Ferguson. This time of year for me should be a time of new milestones and memories as my kids start a new school year. But it’s a time of pain, worry, and unbelievable anticipation.

This time of year is unfortunate because for the past two years, the police family community has had to relive a difficult time and prepare for an unpredictable couple of months. I know that for the next couple of months, we won’t see my husband as much. And I know what I need to do. It won’t be easy, but as long as he comes home after each long shift, we will be okay.

My husband is a police officer and has never flinched from that role.

The alarm clock goes off and my husband hits the snooze button one more time. He just needs five more minutes to rest his eyes, before he slowly rises up. It’s always the same morning routine. He’ll grab his phone and read the news. I don’t know why he does it, because it seems as though there is always bad news every time. I see a shake of the head along with the words:

“Damn it! We lost another one!”

We never know what the headlines will be and it’s always heartbreaking when we read them.

“Officer Assaulted.”

“Officer shot and killed.”

But, even with all those disheartening headlines, my husband will start his day, put on his uniform, and walk out the door.

My husband is a police officer but so much more, too. He is a man of great character and dedication. He is not one to call in sick all the time, and he does his job well. I would have to say he is the most hard-working man I know. Along, with his 40-hour work week, he may work overtime or bailiff. He is also the lead advisor for his department’s Police Explorers program.

Along with all that, he is a husband and a father. He provides for his family the best that he can. He tries to spend time with his children and, even though he is exhausted, he will still cuddle with his little girl every night. My husband is more than just a man who wears a uniform and writes tickets. He is the father to our children and he is my husband.

If only others would see beyond the uniform.

My husband is a police officer but he’s so much more than that.

I know what he does is just a job, but not too many people out there can do his job. I have heard about every accident scene that he has been on, every death notification that he had to do. I remember all the K9 calls and the time when he was injured and I had to meet him at the hospital, while the suspect was in a room down the hall. I have attended police officer funerals with him and witnessed the pain.

There are days when I see the exhaustion in his eyes and his body. I smell the sweat from his hard day. But, there is one thing that I do not see and that is defeat. He will still wake up in the morning and turn off that damn alarm, put on his uniform, and walk out the door.

Our time together is precious, just like any other family. The time spent together is something we try not to take for granted, even though there are special days and events that he has missed. And, sometimes holidays have to be on different days and sometimes we have late-night dinners. I am okay with all this, and even though my kids are young, they understand because this is what they know. My husband will still put on his uniform, lace up his boots, and walk out the door to start his day.

Even with all the threats against police, all the verbal and physical assaults they must endure, and when an officer will not go home, again, my husband will still do his job and protect the citizens of his community. For those who curse him and hate him, he will still be there when needed and respond to a call and conduct a traffic stop, not knowing if it will be his last — because my husband is a police officer, always.

 

So, when you see an officer, please wave or say hello and tell them they are appreciated. Because it might be my husband, and I know it will make his day and I will hear about it when he walks through the door at the end of his shift. If someone would bring a little kindness to him, waking up in the morning to start his day and walking out that door may be a little easier.

Category: Featured

Tags: Celena