Why the Loss of Part-Time Officers Hurts So Much

It's now been a week tomorrow that we lost our special part-time Police Force. Bluff, Doug, "Uncle" Pat, . . all have earned their way into my heart, and I ache as I no longer see the black and white Police Cars go back and forth. I now see the occasional white and green Police Car and my heart sinks.

(We've actually lost our independent Police Force. Some let go, some moving into the Town Police Force.)

BUT these three men, without my even realizing it, kept a special eye on my place while my son was gone. I had no idea at the time how much they liked my son and that they felt it important to make sure I was okay.

This is why is hurts not seeing them around now.

The part-timers . .

all three are so special.

Bluff loves the Village and lives just on the outskirts. He cares about the kids. He's dead serious about his job but he has a heart. He stopped by one day, on duty, to talk to my son. He was complaining about a little kid's piggy bank being robbed. He was upset. He works in the City and as a Detective in a nearby town.


He became my hero when I found out, after the fact, what he did for me without my knowing it at the time. My son had to be away for a while. And at home, I am devout and soldout cat lover. But I had gone a bit overboard with the population. That happens.

But one of the girl teens that came to my home . . decided to take matters into her own hands.

She walked up to Bluff (sitting in the car) one day, a few months before my son returned and told him, yes TOLD HIM, he had to get rid of my cats. I just had too many she complained. She always has been a little snot.

Well, his anger starting to rise said, "If you think I am going to make Mrs. L***** get rid of her cats while her son is gone, think again. Don't ever come up to me again and don't ask again. Go to hell." Well, I don't like the last words, but he was mad. And he cared about me and my family (I'm a widow . . it's me and my son.)

I did have too many and as it turned out before my son came home, I was down to 4. And that's how many I had when my son came home. We went down to one and then our Siamese arrive and it's a content twosome.

One of the times when my son saw Bluff, after coming home . . Bluff told him what had happened. And he was glad I had reduced the population . . but I did it . . and that's the way it should be.

The local caring part-timers really know the residents and care. Any Police Officer, let alone any man, who cares that much about my love of cats and knowing how heartbreaking it would be to be forced to lose them . . well he deserves to be called a HERO in my book. And so, Bluff will always have a very special spot in my heart. He's actually now a friend of my son. And that means a lot. His wife and him are very nice people.

Uncle" Pat . . what a nice guy. He lives in the Village. And that is what the kids call him . . "Uncle" Pat. Two years ago he had a heart attack. My son came home almost in tears. But we prayed for him and waited for his return. It seemed like forever for the guys. He has returned and is doing very well.

He used to ride the Police Bike around the Village proper.

I was with my 'unofficial' second son one night in court. His Dad sat on the other side. I was only there for Jimmy. Uncle Pat came up to Jimmy and gave him suggestions about how he should stand and how he should talk to the Judge. He cares . . He knew how scared (and rightly so) Jimmy was and dried to calm him down. That's Uncle Pat.

Pat has another Police Job as well and a side job.

Doug . . the only local Police Officer to give me a ticket. **laughing** . . for a STOP sign infraction. This was when we had just about just moved in to Angola. As he handed me the ticket, I had a tract in the shape of an admittance ticket. He asked what it was and I told him he could know for sure about going to Heaven. He thanked me and took it.

It was the Lord's irony . . a ticket for a ticket.

I hadn't known him yet but I would eventually. He'd knock on the door looking for one of the boys to talk to him. I had the boy's club in my home.

One night in particular the phone rang around 3 a.m. My son was away. Some kid, who had had some other guys over now was missing his wallet. And he called me why? Why was he yelling at me??? Because I was the only one (stupid enough) to answer the phone.

Long story short. He made lots of threats and then demanded I write down his number. (Now who is stupid?) I did, hung up and called the Police. Doug was on duty and arrived soon. After he asked, I explained what happened. When he asked if I had the phone number, he grinned when I told him the boy had demanded I write down his phone number.

Well, Doug called him. What did he do? He told the boy never to call Mrs. L***** again. And if he didn't obey he would personally come to his home and arrest him. I was sitting on the couch just grinning. I've given the short version. I could tell the kid was arguing.

Doug hung up the phone and with a smile (around 4 a.m. by then) asked, "Is there anything else I can do for you Mrs. L*****?" I just giggled and said, "No, I think you've taken care of it. Thank you." "No problem . ." And he left.

He married a few months ago and lives in the Village. He is also an Erie County Sheriff.

Epilogue:
And so I am heartbroken . . I looked at my son today and sadly observed, "No Doug on duty today." He sighed and agreed. Bluff worked Sundays and Uncle Pat on Saturdays until Doug would come in for his shift. Three very special men who I will love and respect forever.

Additional note: Officer Bluff has since had 2 heart attacks. He's no longer on the Town Police Department. But he's doing well. He's a Detective in a nearby town. (1/26/12)