My Brother the Police Officer

Getting his award
Joe and I
Dad and Joe
Mom and Joe


I'm a proud sister!

Joe graduated from the Fort Smith Police Academy on Friday. He received an award for ranking third in shooting skills (a skill I knew he would be good at, but one I hope is only reserved for hunting). I am glad he has found his thing, and I know he will be an excellent police officer. He's smart and quick witted. Two qualities that will serve him well.

I have given him some grief over this career choice, just because I worry. I know that we need policemen, I respect them, but I'd rather him be doing something nice and safe. Unfortunately, I'm not calling the shots....and really, what defines nice and safe these days.

There was a very good speaker at his graduation, that addressed the new grads. He has worked in the Law Enforcement field his entire life...I will have to get his name from the program. Anyway, he left them with some very good words of wisdom. He kept it simple, but to the point.

The first being:

"With authority comes responsibility."

The second was two rules he gave them:

1. Do your job.
2. Don't embarrass yourself, your family, your chief, or your community."

He said if they followed these two rules, they would be fine. Pretty much good rules for everyone.