bullshit just brought something home to me.
“You do realize I am in fact retired , right?” he said, looking first to Derrick then to Frank. “I really don’t hold any more authority than the average citizen now, and you both know that. Somebody will get this mess under control at some point, and I sure as hell don’t want either one of you to be in the shit because of me.” Looking to Derrick, Harry continued. “I really think you should take this, Derry. You’re the most senior officer on scene, so the responsibility really does fall to you. Besides, you of all people know I don’t play well with others when there’s too much bullshit involved. Right now I feel like I’m up to my ass in it.” Harry let out a deep sigh, then turned his back to the desk and leaned his butt onto the edge, crossing both arms across his chest. “I’m just getting too old for this shit.”
Derrick was silent for a moment, obviously in deep thought. He then turned toward Frank and said, “I’m not sure exactly what you may have heard about Harold Lancaster, but let me give you a little insight on the man,” speaking as if Harry were not in the room.
“This isn’t the time , Derry,” Harry began, but was immediately cut off.
Raising a hand toward Harry, but still looking directly at Frank, Derrick said, “Not finished here.
“As I started to say ,” Derrick resumed, “not sure what you heard about Harold Lancaster, but you should know that he is among the most respected officers in the department. Not only by those who served with him but also by the folks we are all sworn to serve. Hell, I think even the bad guys he busted respected him! He has received so many departmental commendations that it would take a librarian to catalog them all. I don’t even want to try to count the times he has received a Medal of Valor. I know there were a half dozen Bronze, Silver, and at least four Gold medals pinned on him.
“ One of those Gold medals was awarded for a little action he and a couple others carried out when there were hostages taken at the Ritz Carlton. One of those folks held hostage just happened to be the head of Her Majesty's Inspectorates of Constabulary. He was a seriously important British dignitary, who also happened to be attending an international law enforcement conference here in San Francisco. Harry would have you believe that he was just at the right place at the right time, just doing his job, and the other officers played a more vital role – as he said during the awards ceremony. What happened was they dressed as waiters, gained access through a side window in the basement, and worked their way up to the area where the hostages were held.
“ But it was later revealed by the other officers who had gone in with him that day that Harry planned the whole action, spur of the moment, and actually took out four of the six bad guys himself before SWAT had even gotten the call out. Yes, it was a team action for sure, but Harold Lancaster led that team and because of their actions saved a room full of people.” Derrick took a breath and turned, looking directly at Harry, but continuing as if still talking to Frank.
“ If he hadn’t turned down so many promotions over the years he would have been at least a captain, or hell, maybe even chief. But he thought if he promoted up he would lose what he loved the most in the department and would become what he liked the least. What he didn’t realize, Frank, is that by remaining a street cop he helped develop a whole new generation of caring, well-trained and professional police officers, men and women, by his example and leadership. Not to mention the countless citizens he touched on a daily basis that came to know and respect him deeply. He’s told me, and others, dozens of times over the years that he didn’t need strips of gold on his collar to do his job. His very clear gratification was just being a cop and doing the job that was his life’s love,”
“You do realize I am in fact retired , right?” he said, looking first to Derrick then to Frank. “I really don’t hold any more authority than the average citizen now, and you both know that. Somebody will get this mess under control at some point, and I sure as hell don’t want either one of you to be in the shit because of me.” Looking to Derrick, Harry continued. “I really think you should take this, Derry. You’re the most senior officer on scene, so the responsibility really does fall to you. Besides, you of all people know I don’t play well with others when there’s too much bullshit involved. Right now I feel like I’m up to my ass in it.” Harry let out a deep sigh, then turned his back to the desk and leaned his butt onto the edge, crossing both arms across his chest. “I’m just getting too old for this shit.”
Derrick was silent for a moment, obviously in deep thought. He then turned toward Frank and said, “I’m not sure exactly what you may have heard about Harold Lancaster, but let me give you a little insight on the man,” speaking as if Harry were not in the room.
“This isn’t the time , Derry,” Harry began, but was immediately cut off.
Raising a hand toward Harry, but still looking directly at Frank, Derrick said, “Not finished here.
“As I started to say ,” Derrick resumed, “not sure what you heard about Harold Lancaster, but you should know that he is among the most respected officers in the department. Not only by those who served with him but also by the folks we are all sworn to serve. Hell, I think even the bad guys he busted respected him! He has received so many departmental commendations that it would take a librarian to catalog them all. I don’t even want to try to count the times he has received a Medal of Valor. I know there were a half dozen Bronze, Silver, and at least four Gold medals pinned on him.
“ One of those Gold medals was awarded for a little action he and a couple others carried out when there were hostages taken at the Ritz Carlton. One of those folks held hostage just happened to be the head of Her Majesty's Inspectorates of Constabulary. He was a seriously important British dignitary, who also happened to be attending an international law enforcement conference here in San Francisco. Harry would have you believe that he was just at the right place at the right time, just doing his job, and the other officers played a more vital role – as he said during the awards ceremony. What happened was they dressed as waiters, gained access through a side window in the basement, and worked their way up to the area where the hostages were held.
“ But it was later revealed by the other officers who had gone in with him that day that Harry planned the whole action, spur of the moment, and actually took out four of the six bad guys himself before SWAT had even gotten the call out. Yes, it was a team action for sure, but Harold Lancaster led that team and because of their actions saved a room full of people.” Derrick took a breath and turned, looking directly at Harry, but continuing as if still talking to Frank.
“ If he hadn’t turned down so many promotions over the years he would have been at least a captain, or hell, maybe even chief. But he thought if he promoted up he would lose what he loved the most in the department and would become what he liked the least. What he didn’t realize, Frank, is that by remaining a street cop he helped develop a whole new generation of caring, well-trained and professional police officers, men and women, by his example and leadership. Not to mention the countless citizens he touched on a daily basis that came to know and respect him deeply. He’s told me, and others, dozens of times over the years that he didn’t need strips of gold on his collar to do his job. His very clear gratification was just being a cop and doing the job that was his life’s love,”
Similar Books
