Why I Love a Job that I Hate Exists

We live in a world that is broken. Genesis states that when God finished his creation on day 7 He rested because He saw that his Creation was “GOOD”.  That did not last long before sin entered into the world and the good Creation became broken and had to be separated from it’s Creator. 99% of the world’s 10,000 or so years of existence is no where near what it was intended. We were supposed to live in a world of love, support, and happiness…instead we live in a world of sin, anger, malice, sadness, and sickness. We live in a world broken and fallen…a world where someone has to intervene to uphold law and order. Before the fall there was no need for such a peacekeeper because law and order was interwoven into your being…you knew it and just did it…with sin that changed. We became creatures of our own will instead of God’s…creatures that wanted what’s best for us and not others or what’s best for God’s perfect Creation. One day Christ will return and that perfect Creation will be restored…until then sin and malice will roam free. One day my job will not exist.

We will one day live on this world as it was meant to be…I will have a new job in the New Creation because law enforcement will come naturally and laws and rules will not be broken because God’s creation will be focused on worshipping Him and that will be the driving force for all that is done. I cannot wait on the day that God says “Your work as a law enforcement officer is done because you are no longer needed…your new calling is ____.” Until then however I am going to do everything in my power to keep law and order and protect what is left of God’s perfect and beautiful creation because that is what He has called me to do. I cannot wait for the day that God’s Creation is made whole once again.

12-4

Today I had vehicle tactics (traffic stops) and absolutely nailed the scenario...excellent way to end a long and stressful week. 

Had Stress Course shooting this afternoon. 

Now back in Rock Hill for the night and Graduation tomorrow!! 

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12-3

Had Pedestrian Tactics today. Basically how to deal with calls out doors. My partner and I were told we handled our call very well with very little critique. Feel really good about that...first time I've felt good after a scenario. 

Had Advanced Firearms this afternoon. Basically shooting after moving and identifying different threats. 

Grabbing dinner tonight with a friend from USCPD then packing up and getting ready to roll out and head home tomorrow.

Only 1more night sleeping in this dreaded place!! 

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12-2

Had Building Clearing this morning. Got shot quite a lot the first time and a little the second but he told us we did an excellent job the second. Had a deputy from Charleston County working with us...really appreciate him coming amidst all that's going on. 

Did cover and concealment course this afternoon and the Fire Arms Training Simulator (FATS) this afternoon. A ton of fun! 

Have a optional class we were told to be at tonight. 

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12-1

Today we did Crisis House and had Tactical shotgun course.

I know you guys are interested in why I'm doing here but my mind just isn't in it today. 

Today I'm stuck on a little black nylon band. I got my badge last Friday ad the first thing I did was go buy a black band to put around it in honor of Deputy Mastuskovic. His funeral was today. People have asked why I have the band on my badge if I can't wear my badge yet and the answer is simple...it's for me. My badge is hanging in my locker with that black band. For the last week at SCCJA I will open my locker and everytime see my badge with that band and be reminded of his service and his life. As I look through pictures that my amazing friends at SC Police Cruisers and others took of the funeral I was struck by a couple small things. 

1) over 1,000 LEOs showed up for this funeral. Many of you know that friendship and relationship is a huge part of my life and has been the root of many struggles for me. It amazes me that all these officers never knew Joe yet still took time to come to honor his life and as of Friday will do the same for me.

2) most striking though was the public. So many citizens lines the roadways with flags. At a time when Line Of Duty Deaths is on the rise...today we saw a glimmer of hope. Our citizens were out in full force showing their respect and love for Joe. This gives me extreme hope thy what we are doing makes a difference. 

3) training is key. In no way am I saying that Joe did anything wrong but having an instructor fighting tears as he talks you through a scenario is a wake up. This was an officer from that area and the time was 10:00...just as the funeral began. I know he would have rather been celebrating his brother's life and sacrifice but instead came to train us because he knows the significance of always training.

Joe rest in peace brother. 

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11-5

Good end to a rough week for SC.

I passed both of our last tests with a 98 and a 100. 

I loved DUI week. Impaired Driving Enforcement is a priority and one of the main reasons I wanted to work in Law Enforcement. It feels good to finally be certified in Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and as a Datamaster Breathalyzer Operator. 

As the weekend begins my thoughts and prayers are still with my brothers and sisters in Charleston. 

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11-4

LAST DAY OF 0445 RUNNING!!!

Had more SFST and DUI practice today. Got to watch some great dash cam videos of Kope doing his thing. 

Cannot wait to get out on the road and start putting this to use. #TargetZero Traffic Deaths in SC. 

2 tests tomorrow morning...feeling pretty good 

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11-3

Did DUI Training SFST with actual drunk people today. Ton of fun and learned A LOT!! 

Had our SFST proficiency test tonight...passed 1st try.

Up early tomorrow to run for the last time!! 

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11-2

I have to begin by saying that my thoughts and prayers today have been with my brothers and sisters in Charleston County. Deputy Joe Matuskovic of the Charleston County Sheriff's Office was shot and killed early this morning. Another Deputy was also shot and is in critical condition last I heard. Please keep these families in your prayers. (The suspect was neutralized on scene after a standoff)

Had DUI today. We learned SFST (Standardized Field Sobriety Tests) and how to prosecute a DUI. Over all a pretty good day.

Had to run this morning bright and early...only one more of those left!

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A Part Of America Died

Somebody killed a Policeman today,
and a part of America died.
A piece of our country he swore to protect,
will be buried with him at his side.

The suspect that shot him will stand up in court,
with counsel demanding his rights.
While a young widowed mother must work for her kids,
and spend many long, lonely nights.

The beat that he walked was a battle field too,
just as if he'd gone off to war.
Though the flag of our nation won't fly at half mast,
to his name they will add a gold star.

Yes, somebody killed a policeman today,
in your hometown or in mine.
While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors,
a cop put his life on the line.

Now his ghost walks a beat on a dark city street,
and he stands at each rookies side.
He answered the call, of himself gave his all,

And A Part Of America Died.

11-1

DUI week has begun! Thanks to 3 excellent DUI officers: Tim, Jake, and Chris I have been looking forward to this week since we started. Traffic and DUI has become my passion in Law Enforcement and is what I want to focus on. Very excited to finally be here. There is no excuse for Impaired Driving: especially leading to a death and I want to be a part of the solution. 

Only 2 weeks left!! We are single digits 

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10-5

Did Crisis House today. Basically you respond to a call and handle it. Can't reveal any details other than that. 

Very fun and beneficial! 2 weeks left including DUI week!! 

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10-4

Had Courtroom and Traffic practicals today. Won my court case and did well on traffic stop. 

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10-3

Had active shooter training yesterday. We had a great time and learned, in the words of Mr Franklin, a metric a$$ ton of valuable lessons. 

I cannot reveal training details but I got shot 2x. Fortunately neither would have been kill shots but it's very eye opening knowing you could have been killed if this was real. Really shows how important and valuable training is.

Last night we learned to breach doors and did more building clearing.

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10-2

Had Building Clearing practical today. Learned how to properly and safely clear a building of threats. I was shot a couple times but learned a lot!! Doug did an excellent job teaching and helping. Brett from Irmo was a great partner.

We had traffic stops tonight but it's pouring rain and power is out in our building so not much going on. 

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10-1

Well back at it for another week. Practicals (hands on training) starts this week 

We did Active Shooter classroom training today. Very interesting stuff. Had Liberty tonight so got to go back to Rock Hill and see the family. 

We are officially seniors now so the end is near!! 

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9-5

Last BIG test today! Made an 86. Practicals start next week!!

Had Collision Investigation practicals today. Have to work on them more this weekend. 

Ending the week with Deputy Andy Fowler in my thoughts and prayers and ask the same from you guys. Andy is a Traffic/DUI Enforcement Deputy for the York County Sheriff's Office. As many of you know Traffic is my passion. I have worked a couple checkpoints with Andy and he is really a stand up guy and needs our thoughts and prayers. Attached is a link to a page to help support his family's medical expenses...you can read his story there. Thank you all.

http://www.gofundme.com/dhan7k

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9-4

Had a class this morning on how to testify in court...we have a practical next week in this so this should be interesting.

After lunch we did traffic stop practicals outside. It was REALLY hot!!

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9-3

Good day today. 

Covered traffic stops and hazardous materials in class today. 

We are all giving blood tonight so Capt decided not to make us get up and run tomorrow!! Get to sleep in just a little bit tomorrow. 

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9-2

Good day today.

Ran this morning and then had class.

We covered TR-310 (Collision Reports), SC Uniform Traffic Citations, and Field Contacts/Warnings.

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9-1

Traffic week has begun. We did a lot of collision stuff today. Overall a quick day. 

Have to be up to run tomorrow at 4:45 so off to bed early tonight! 

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