[IndianaFuzz]

It was suggested that I make a separate topic in here to introduce myself to you all. Took me about a week of posting before I finally got off my ass and did it. My name is Jon. I'm a police officer in Muncie, IN. I graduated from Ball State University back in 1998. That's why I had to interject some talk of the Cardinals into the Bama/LSU fest thread on here. I've been a cop for 6 1/2 years now. A couple of years ago I had to work though having a reality show in town with our dept. That was a circus.

One thing I want to add to this intro is a story and a suggestion to all the officers on here. Just because it has popped into my head right now.

Back in 2001, just 6 days after the terror attacks of 9-11 a good friend of mine, Deputy Jason M. Baker of the Marion Co. (IN) Sheriff's Department, was shot and killed in the line of duty. His death really hit me hard, and actually made me get more serious about my attempts to get hired onto a police department. A little over half a year later, I was to get sworn in as a police officer, finally. Since Jason had been killed, I wanted to go to Washington, DC for National Police Week in May of 2002 since that was when they were adding Jason's name to the memorial wall. I had hotel and airfare booked for the trip. Turns out that the day I was to get sworn in was the day of the candlelight vigil in DC. So I had to cancel my trip and miss being there when they read off Jason's name. But I vowed to myself that I would be in DC for Police Week 2003. I did make that trip, and the experience struck me so much that I have now been back EVERY year since. In fact I always use my first vacation pick of the year to get the time off for Police Week, before trying to get the holidays off.

My suggestion is that whether you know an officer that was killed in the line of duty or not, please make it out to DC at least once in your career for Police Week. If nothing else, it will help you refocus on what our job is all about. There is a very solemn nature about the events. But there is also a spirit there that is amazing. You will be "communing" with officers from all over the country, and even the world. And of course, the cops there know how to let loose and blow off some steam, and the FOP tent party is an awesome thing to experience. You hang out with TONS of other officers drinking, sharing, meeting, etc. The bars near the memorial are hopping as well. But overall the experience of Police Week is something that I think every officer should take part of at least once. But I warn you, if you go once, you WILL want to come back again, and again.

[Willowdared]

Well then, here's an "official" welcome!

Howdy!

[Jenna]

Welcome! I've been enjoying your posts on this forum!

Thanks for sharing your story. May Deputy Baker rest in peace.

I'm a civilian but I went to Police Week in DC last year and found the experience very moving and enlightening.

[Twan007]

well - welcome to the boards (officially - eventhough I know you've been getting it handed to ya on the trash talking thread)

thanks for sharing the story

and again, welcome - from Louisiana

[Pinki]

Welcome!

[Buttercup]

Welcome (officially ) and thank you for sharing that story.

[iso607]

Welcome from Louisiana.

[sweetpea]

Welcome from Kentucky

I am a civilian and I went to Police Week in DC in 2007 and it was a wonderful and moving experience. I hope to attend again sometime.

[Lo523]

Hi and welcome from across the Pond!

[BigDawg]

Welcome


I have been to DC Police Week 8 or 9 times now and hope to go back in a year or two.

[IndianaFuzz]

Thank you all for your kind welcomes.

[121Traffic]

Welcome!

As for working in Muncie when the show was being filmed...did you get to meet Ponch??

[IndianaFuzz]

Originally Posted by 121Traffic

Welcome!

As for working in Muncie when the show was being filmed...did you get to meet Ponch??

Yeah, I met all of them. Ponch deep down is a good guy. But he was way too freakin Hollywood. One of the first nights they were in town, we went for dinner break at 2am at our normal spot, which was where they shot the after shift meal scene each night. Well Estrada saw us sitting there and introduced himself. He started telling the story of the arrest he made that night, the first real arrest he'd ever made. He searched the woman after arresting her, and found a pair of panties with track marks in her pants pocket. So it's a funny story about his first arrest involving poopy panties. But then he goes into how it was so bad because he got poop on his $300.00 cashmere lined gloves that he brought from Los Angeles. It was like he thought we'd be all impressed or something.

The one that was the best was Jack Osbourne. He took it the most seriously. It's too bad about his drug history, cause he could actually make a good cop if a department would ever really hire him.

[lewisipso]

Welcome. My plans are already being laid out for the DC trip this coming year. I hope to be bringing my bike for the lawride also.

[2 Blue 4 U]

Official Welcome to you IndianFuzz!

Originally Posted by IndianaFuzz

Back in 2001, just 6 days after the terror attacks of 9-11 a good friend of mine, Deputy Jason M. Baker of the Marion Co. (IN) Sheriff's Department, was shot and killed in the line of duty.

Turns out that the day I was to get sworn in was the day of the candlelight vigil in DC. So I had to cancel my trip and miss being there when they read off Jason's name.

I am sorry you lost your friend Deputy Jason M. Baker and you had to miss your trip to DC that year, but what a great way to honor his memory then to get sworn into service on the day his name was being read.


DC is a trip to be made, sadly I know too many names on that wall, but then again, one name is too many. My command went there twice and both times I had things come up where I had to cancel at the last minute, both times lost my deposit. Just was not meant to be for me, one of these days I will make it down there.

On anther note, you mentioned how in DC you get to commune with Law Enforcement from all over the country, that is one of the great things about this board, LEO and friends of LEO's from all over the country and abroad.

[Pudge113]

Welcome from Ohio!

[Terminator]

Tell us about Trish Stratus.

[CTR man]

Originally Posted by sweetpea

Welcome from Kentucky

I am a civilian and I went to Police Week in DC in 2007 and it was a wonderful and moving experience. I hope to attend again sometime.

Hmmm, where do I start? Your story brings back a few memories that I would like to address. I, too, am not a LEO, and would love to someday visit DC during memorial week. As you can see in my signature, I have a few names to look up as well. This trip can be costly as unfortunately I live on the other side of the country but someday I will make it.

Howie was a subscriber of mine on a newspaper route that I used to have. I did not know him well, but there were many times early in the morning when throwing papers, I would pass by and he would be there catching a quick bite to eat, saying hello to his family, or helping a junior officer with paper work.

When Howie was taken from us, it took our town by surprise and anger. Especially being shot by an AWOL Marine who didn't want to go back to Iraq and was hell bent on killing cops. I, for one, had a real hard time dealing with it as I also work for the military (AAFES). I have since met his family and what gems they are. Instead of wallowing in sorrow, even though they miss him terribly, they are out there helping others who are going through the same problems.

I thought the best way to come to grips with my feelings was to join a few LE forums if they would have me, for I felt that who would be better equipped to share and help me deal with my pain than those who have dealt with similar circumstances in their LE career. So far, I have not regretted joining one bit.

Feel free to click on the links in my signature as they tell quite a story of my friends. I don't know if you know this or not, but just in case, there is a website that keeps track of all the LODD's. They even have a link on your friend Jason. Glad to see that the suspects have either been killed or sentenced to prison for a very long time. They even have it set up so one can leave messages to or about their loved one. Have you ever considered leaving such a message for Jason? I have several times for Howie and others.

http://www.odmp.org/officer/15765-de...-matthew-baker

Oh and by the way, from Northern California!

[kjlaw]

Welcome

[Five-0]

Welcome.