The Final Inspection

With the recent death of Officer Moore I have been thinking a lot about my husband and his job. I am very proud of him for the job that he does and I feel that he is good at it but that doesn't keep me from worrying about him. Everytime he walks out that door at night I cant help but think that it could be the last time that I see him. People are idiots and you never no what they are going to do. It happens every day, instead of maning up to the fact that you were speeding and pay the 150 or whatever dollar ticket, they think that it will make things better to just shot the officer. I dont understand how any person can take another persons life for that selfish reason. There is a poem that I love and I wanted to share it with all of you...

"The Final Inspection"     

The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges
can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep....
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't.....I'll understand.

There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."

This poem was read at Wayne's graduation for the police academy and ever since I have heard it I always think about it. I just wish that for once people would think about the effects that their actions are going to have.