Deciding to excuse medical personnel turned out to be a good idea as shortly after I made this decision I was to need their expertise to save my life.
July 4, 1977 I happened to be off duty so I went to a large outdoor party in a neighboring city. I was with a friend that I had known for many years. Teresa was like a sister to me and her new husband was an acquaintance that I had just met. At this party I noted that there were several attendees and none that I knew. After the bands started to play I got up to dance with Teresa's husband. After about a minute we were attacked. All I remember is that from behind I was hit on the right side of my head with a heavy object. It turned out to have been a camera. After falling to the ground, I was dizzy and hurt, and a large group of people formed a circle around me and began to stomp me and kick me. Cigarettes were also used to burn my arms and legs. Vaguely, I heard the voices of the R&D Security team trying to break up the circle in order to get to me. After what seemed like an eternity I heard a voice I recognized as Ray Garrison, the owner of the Security team. He was finally able to get to me and get the group of men and women who were assaulting me away from me. He stayed with me until the ambulance arrived. I could not move nor consciously understand what had happened. Shortly before being placed in the ambulance I blacked out. The next conscious thing was waking at the hospital Emergency Room.
Per the attending physician I was hurt pretty bad. My face was swollen so that my right eye was black and blue and closed. I hurt all over and I was covered in my own blood, dirt, grass, beer, and who knows what else. My chest hurt the most and the doctor informed me that CPR and the shock paddles had to be used while I was en-route to the hospital as I had basically died. Okay, now I am scared. He reassured me that I was in good hands there at the Army hospital. This hospital was the best trauma center in the area at this time.
After being cleaned up and put in a private room different police dignitaries began visiting me. They were concerned that I wouldn't want to continue my career once I was released. I adamantly informed them that I would be back and I wanted to find who did this to me and why!
After a couple of days I was transferred to a civilian hospital. While completing an exam I discovered that I had no feeling in my legs. I was unable to move them either and I began to scream and cry. I was paralyzed from the waist down. The doctors prepared me that I may not ever walk again. The trauma of being kicked in my lower back numerous times damaged my nerves.
WHY ME? At first I was in total shock and disbelief, then I got angry, and then I became determined to prove the doctors wrong. I began physical therapy in earnest and worked night and day to exercise. By the end of the year I was walking with a cane and back to work, administrative light duty. I had been through depression and much anger to get me back on my feet, literally.
During some of my weakest moments I was encouraged with daily by updates from our detective division that the District Attorney's Office gave Killeen PD jurisdiction over the location of my aggravated assault to investigate and prosecute those that participated as the local jurisdiction was not going to pursue any charges. Eventually, the guilty parties were identified and arrested. By the time the case was to go to court I was walking without aids. I was back.
The case never went to court as all the people involved pled out. One man and one woman went to prison. The others went to a short-termed facility and paid a hefty fine and was on probation for several years. The court also ordered them to pay ALL of my medical bills. The reason for the assault was two fold. One was that I was a police officer and the other was that this family of thugs thought I was married to the man I was dancing with and one of them was jealous as she had had a relationship with him in the past. Being arrested and going to jail was commonplace for this family. Personally, I never heard of them but I was due to interact with them for years to come.
After everything was said and done this whole experience proved to be valuable. I became much more cautious in my everyday work and therefore I felt in a strange way, it served as my salvation.........
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Lack of trust....
Being with a male officer for 3 months should have been an indication that no one had any confidence in a female in uniform. Everyone immediately started talking to him and pretty much ignored me. Being new to the community was another challenge for me as I had to prove myself to them as well. Once I left the 2-person unit and began to patrol as a 1 person patrol unit the public still had a problem relating to me. Making traffic stops were the easiest however as I was all of 6 foot 1 inch as I exited the patrol car and a whopping 235 pounds. Some motorists even commented that, 'I didn't think you would ever stop coming out of that car'. As luck would have it I managed to write a lot of tickets for speeding on a new highway that was becoming speed alley. I wrote a big football star, Earl Campbell who was playing for the then Houston Oilers. He paid it shortly after the stop and my Sergeant was up in arms over it. But I didn't know who he was and he obviously respected the stop as he took care of it right away. After that I decided to not write those that were in the medical field such as doctors, nurses, or EMT. I might need one of them someday!
My non-communication with the people in the community obviously came to the attention of two high ranking officers in the department. On the day that I was assigned an area to patrol, I was excited to start my community policing. At the same time I dreaded having them turn their backs on me. As I prepared my patrol car and was about to leave the lot of the police department there was a knock on the passenger side window. Standing there was the Chief of Police. He asked me if he could ride with me for the first half of my day, well how do tell this guy no? So I accepted him as my partner of the day. Now I am really nervous.
He told me he'd stay in the car so the calling party would have to talk to me but that backfired and he was really surprised when the public came up to his side of the car even though I was standing outside to meet them. At the end of the first 4 hours the Chief commented that I did a good job. He got out and my next partner was standing by. This new person was the head of the Detective Division, Dennis Lewis. The Chief spoke to him in passing and as Detective Lewis got in the car he told me that after today the public WILL NEVER SHUN you again. WHAT?
The first call we responded to was a civil dispute and as soon as the complainant ignored me and went to him he immediately stopped them and instructed them that if they won't talk to Officer T then they will not talk to him either. She is a police officer and here to assist. He told them if they wanted help she is here to do that otherwise the police will leave and not come back! The complainant was surprised and so was I!
After a time it got to where people would call and request me to respond to their homes. Captain Dennis Lewis was my salvation in this situation.......
My non-communication with the people in the community obviously came to the attention of two high ranking officers in the department. On the day that I was assigned an area to patrol, I was excited to start my community policing. At the same time I dreaded having them turn their backs on me. As I prepared my patrol car and was about to leave the lot of the police department there was a knock on the passenger side window. Standing there was the Chief of Police. He asked me if he could ride with me for the first half of my day, well how do tell this guy no? So I accepted him as my partner of the day. Now I am really nervous.
He told me he'd stay in the car so the calling party would have to talk to me but that backfired and he was really surprised when the public came up to his side of the car even though I was standing outside to meet them. At the end of the first 4 hours the Chief commented that I did a good job. He got out and my next partner was standing by. This new person was the head of the Detective Division, Dennis Lewis. The Chief spoke to him in passing and as Detective Lewis got in the car he told me that after today the public WILL NEVER SHUN you again. WHAT?
The first call we responded to was a civil dispute and as soon as the complainant ignored me and went to him he immediately stopped them and instructed them that if they won't talk to Officer T then they will not talk to him either. She is a police officer and here to assist. He told them if they wanted help she is here to do that otherwise the police will leave and not come back! The complainant was surprised and so was I!
After a time it got to where people would call and request me to respond to their homes. Captain Dennis Lewis was my salvation in this situation.......
Saturday, May 4, 2013
A test of wills.....
In 1977 there were no police officers, there were only 'policemen'. My badge had that printed on it and it meant the world to me. Being the only female in the police academy was a struggle every day in that I was continually proving myself to the other male students in the class. There were candidates from several different agencies in the class that openly resented my being there and training with them. My fellow officers were supportive but I knew some had their doubts as to whether I could 'hold my own'.
One day while in the gymnasium preparing for a defense tactics class we were standing around awaiting for our instructor. As is usual when a bunch of guys are together they decided to pull a fast one on me. The biggest guy in the class came up behind me and put his arms around me and pinned my arms to my side. I did not even think twice about it, I immediately dropped to my knees and bent over forward so fast that I threw him over my head and across the floor. He wasn't hurt except for his pride and from that day forward none of them doubted that I could take care of myself or anyone else for that matter.
Little did they know that growing up with 3 brothers and 2 sisters prepares you for the unexpected at any time!!! This deputy sheriff became a friend that day and every day after that. I never knew where Fred went after he left law enforcement but I know he left behind a legacy.
When graduation day came in March 1977 I was beaming with happiness that I completed this chapter of my new life purpose. I vowed to be the best and most honest officer there ever was. I had to be....as my son, James, was watching every move I made. I was his role model and I couldn't let him
down.
My training officer was a retired Sergeant Major in the Army before he came to the police department so he treated me like a 'girl'. I finally had to stop him and tell him that I wanted to be like him and all the other 'guys'. Rough and tough. He was apprehensive at first but this was sorta like a 'boot camp' for the both of us.
The first time a door was let go and slammed me in the face I knew we had made it and if there were going to be doors opened for me I would be the one to push them open. Every man for themselves UNLESS we were on the street and the bad guys were ganging up on us then we all were there. Kinda like the Calvary or Dudley Do Right!!
At times they were my salvation..........
One day while in the gymnasium preparing for a defense tactics class we were standing around awaiting for our instructor. As is usual when a bunch of guys are together they decided to pull a fast one on me. The biggest guy in the class came up behind me and put his arms around me and pinned my arms to my side. I did not even think twice about it, I immediately dropped to my knees and bent over forward so fast that I threw him over my head and across the floor. He wasn't hurt except for his pride and from that day forward none of them doubted that I could take care of myself or anyone else for that matter.
Little did they know that growing up with 3 brothers and 2 sisters prepares you for the unexpected at any time!!! This deputy sheriff became a friend that day and every day after that. I never knew where Fred went after he left law enforcement but I know he left behind a legacy.
When graduation day came in March 1977 I was beaming with happiness that I completed this chapter of my new life purpose. I vowed to be the best and most honest officer there ever was. I had to be....as my son, James, was watching every move I made. I was his role model and I couldn't let him
down.
My training officer was a retired Sergeant Major in the Army before he came to the police department so he treated me like a 'girl'. I finally had to stop him and tell him that I wanted to be like him and all the other 'guys'. Rough and tough. He was apprehensive at first but this was sorta like a 'boot camp' for the both of us.
The first time a door was let go and slammed me in the face I knew we had made it and if there were going to be doors opened for me I would be the one to push them open. Every man for themselves UNLESS we were on the street and the bad guys were ganging up on us then we all were there. Kinda like the Calvary or Dudley Do Right!!
At times they were my salvation..........
Friday, May 3, 2013
I have felt a vast hole in my heart for several years.
After leaving Washington in my rear view mirror in 1970 for the warm climate of the South I embarked on a life as a wife and eventually a mother. My siblings grew up and left home as well not giving it a thought that our family would ever be together again. Some of us left and returned and stayed but not me. The eldest and most independent of the family. Visits home were rare as some things just never changed. Not wanting to burden my parents with my child I was determined to make a life of my own. My mother never really cared about me one way or the other but my father was my strongest ally. Mom battled her own demons and Dad tried everything he could to make her happy. Of course 25 years difference in age didn't help the issues of communication much. He worked days and she worked graves so she was kind of alone most of the time which is how she wanted to be.Interacting with her kids was not a high priority for her either except on Sundays when she'd shuffle us off to church so she could sleep.
This was my first experience with the introduction of Jesus and the Bible. Being maybe 6 yrs old I was quite confused with trying to understand why I needed another father when my Dad was at home waiting for me.
I was told that Jesus loves me, so does my daddy. He wants to save me--I believe that my daddy wants that too. So why did I have to get up so early, dress in my best clothes and go to the big church by my Aunt LaVonne's house and talk about someone I didn't know? None of my family ever explained to me who this 'JESUS' person really was.
As I entered in to my teen years it was then that my Mom decided it was time for me to become confirmed in the Lutheran Church. I was told to do this not asked if I wanted to. She would look like a doting mother if I completed this journey. At least she thought that GOD would look favorable on her if she did this. Her intentions were to glorify herself not to insure that I was saved. I wanted her to love me and be proud of me
so I completed the catechism classes and was confirmed. Did I pay attention to what I was taught? Probably not as it was forced learning and I still don't remember much about it except that I had to know the books of the Bible in order from the Old and New Testament. Mom was happy but only for herself and this was an accomplishment for her.
We never prayed at home. I never saw her open a Bible much less read one.
A few short years later I graduated high school. This was my accomplishment and I was so happy to be done so I could go to college, get a good job, and get the heck out of the house!
Went to a private medical college and graduated with honors. Got married and moved out of the state.
Moved to the State of Alabama where my new husband was from. They did not accept or recognize the diploma from the college in Washington and wanted me to start my medical schooling over. This was crazy and NO was my answer. I needed to work so I was grandfathered in to the local police department as a traffic officer. In Enterprise, Alabama traffic officers directed traffic at major intersections near schools. Of course I was assigned the hwy 84 bypass. Busiest road in town! It was a learning experience to say the least. But I eventually got it together and won the admiration of the entire department. I was proud of myself. My husband however was so jealous of my success he was nearly green in color. He thought I would be subservient to him but I become independent and he didn't like it much.
After 3 years we moved to Ft Hood, Texas where he was assigned with the Army as he could not adjust to civilian life in Alabama. This is where my life took a drastic turn.
After years of being married to an abuser of me and my son I decided enough was enough.
I was getting out of this marriage no matter what.
My ex didn't want our son but all he'd fight for was our car. And God forbid he should have to pay any money to support the child! The courts mandated it but that didn't mean much in those days.
Sometimes I got it and sometimes not. Away from him was what I wanted and eventually I got there.
$125.00 a month for child support wasn't much so we struggled a little. I drove a school bus so the baby could go with me which helped. Then I decided to go work for the police again. A 40 hr job in the dispatch office and working as a reserve officer expanded my friend base and I found a lot of support in the police brotherhood. They became my family. In 1975 pay wasn't very good for office staff but we helped each other and we all managed together.
I applied for the position of full time police officer. I knew it would be a long shot because I was female and there were no uniformed female officers in this department. Then I heard a knock at the door and when I opened it I was met by a male officer that informed me that I was hired and I would be starting the police academy in January 1977. Thank you this is my salvation.......
This was my first experience with the introduction of Jesus and the Bible. Being maybe 6 yrs old I was quite confused with trying to understand why I needed another father when my Dad was at home waiting for me.
I was told that Jesus loves me, so does my daddy. He wants to save me--I believe that my daddy wants that too. So why did I have to get up so early, dress in my best clothes and go to the big church by my Aunt LaVonne's house and talk about someone I didn't know? None of my family ever explained to me who this 'JESUS' person really was.
As I entered in to my teen years it was then that my Mom decided it was time for me to become confirmed in the Lutheran Church. I was told to do this not asked if I wanted to. She would look like a doting mother if I completed this journey. At least she thought that GOD would look favorable on her if she did this. Her intentions were to glorify herself not to insure that I was saved. I wanted her to love me and be proud of me
so I completed the catechism classes and was confirmed. Did I pay attention to what I was taught? Probably not as it was forced learning and I still don't remember much about it except that I had to know the books of the Bible in order from the Old and New Testament. Mom was happy but only for herself and this was an accomplishment for her.
We never prayed at home. I never saw her open a Bible much less read one.
A few short years later I graduated high school. This was my accomplishment and I was so happy to be done so I could go to college, get a good job, and get the heck out of the house!
Went to a private medical college and graduated with honors. Got married and moved out of the state.
Moved to the State of Alabama where my new husband was from. They did not accept or recognize the diploma from the college in Washington and wanted me to start my medical schooling over. This was crazy and NO was my answer. I needed to work so I was grandfathered in to the local police department as a traffic officer. In Enterprise, Alabama traffic officers directed traffic at major intersections near schools. Of course I was assigned the hwy 84 bypass. Busiest road in town! It was a learning experience to say the least. But I eventually got it together and won the admiration of the entire department. I was proud of myself. My husband however was so jealous of my success he was nearly green in color. He thought I would be subservient to him but I become independent and he didn't like it much.
After 3 years we moved to Ft Hood, Texas where he was assigned with the Army as he could not adjust to civilian life in Alabama. This is where my life took a drastic turn.
After years of being married to an abuser of me and my son I decided enough was enough.
I was getting out of this marriage no matter what.
My ex didn't want our son but all he'd fight for was our car. And God forbid he should have to pay any money to support the child! The courts mandated it but that didn't mean much in those days.
Sometimes I got it and sometimes not. Away from him was what I wanted and eventually I got there.
$125.00 a month for child support wasn't much so we struggled a little. I drove a school bus so the baby could go with me which helped. Then I decided to go work for the police again. A 40 hr job in the dispatch office and working as a reserve officer expanded my friend base and I found a lot of support in the police brotherhood. They became my family. In 1975 pay wasn't very good for office staff but we helped each other and we all managed together.
I applied for the position of full time police officer. I knew it would be a long shot because I was female and there were no uniformed female officers in this department. Then I heard a knock at the door and when I opened it I was met by a male officer that informed me that I was hired and I would be starting the police academy in January 1977. Thank you this is my salvation.......
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