RETIRED COPS

There is a high rate of suicides among cops after they retire. They just can’t let go. I’ve seen retired cops hang around police stations and their former units almost on a daily basis. At first the working cops welcome them, but after a time the welcome mat wears pretty thin. His former buddies would just as soon he’d stay home. It is then that the retiree is most at risk for suicide. That is why some retired cops badly need the availability of support groups.

A law enforcement buddy sent me a great description of retired cops. He wrote: “A friend of mine retired today. At the bottom of his email he attached this...”

Once the badge goes on, it never comes off, whether they can see it, or not. It fuses to the soul through adversity, fear and adrenaline and no one who has ever worn it with pride, integrity and guts, can ever sleep through the 'call of the wild' that wafts through bedroom windows in the deep of the night.

When a good cop leaves the 'job' and retires to a better life, many are jealous, some are pleased and yet others, who may have already retired, wonder. We wonder if he knows what he is leaving behind, because we already know. We know, for example, that after a lifetime of camaraderie that few experience, it will remain as a longing for those past times. We know in the law enforcement life there is a fellowship which lasts long after the gun belt is hung up in the back of the closet. We know even if he throws it away, it will be on him with every step and breath that remains in his life. We also know how the very bearing of the man speaks of what he was and in his heart still is.

These are the burdens of the job. You will still look at people suspiciously, still see what others do not see or choose to ignore and always will look at the rest of the law enforcement world with a respect for what they do; only grown in a lifetime of knowing. Never think for one moment you are escaping from that life. You are only escaping the 'job' and merely being allowed to leave 'active' duty.

So what I wish for you is that as you ease into retirement, in your heart you never forget for one moment that 'Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called children of God,' and you are still a member of the greatest fraternity the world has ever known.