10-42: Last Tour of Duty
/10-42: Last Tour of Duty
By: Kevin Froese
He stood there in his uniform for one final time, his belly hung slightly over his duty belt line…
His hair was as gray as the patch on his sleeve, but he stood just as tall as he ever could be…
His shield shined so brightly and he wore it with pride, the Lord he rode with him to guide him just right, to keep him from harm and that eerie white light…
.. He worked the streets nightly with honor and pride, to sacrifice that he'd just as soon die…
He reached the finish line a bit ragged and torn.. The worked holidays and weekends will now be no more… at parties and events they'll now see his face there, he'll be sitting there proudly upright in his chair…
He welcomed this day like the fresh morning dew..but he stood there asking himself, "now what will I do"…?!
His best years behind him and age on his face, the nightmares that will haunt him, they'll be a disgrace.. The scenes and the victims that will visit his mind, lay peaceful and dormant until it's bedtime.. He'll shake and he'll shudder to think of the times, of the crimes against children and the rest of mankind...
Those days for him are now over, but they won't stay behind.. They'll visit him nightly from the back of his mind.;.
The sights and the horrors, the screams in the night, he'll toss and he'll turn like he's in a big fight...
He'll waken all shaken and look with a fright, as if he emerged from the fight of his life...
With his rock at his side and holding his hand, she'll guide him through the rough times, for its many she's had...
The nights of not knowing if he would come home, or the fear of a knock, or ring of the phone, with thoughts that would chill her right down to the bone.. Her nightmares are now over, she's got her man home...
With his health now fading and gray on his chin, if he could do it all over, he'd still do it again.. His love who stayed with him through thick and through thin said, "That just will not do, you're 10-42!"
Kevin Froese has been in emergency services for 46-years as a firefighter, both paid and volunteer, an MICU Paramedic for 14-years, 36-years as a Police Officer, SWAT Operator/Medic, K9 handler, Patrol Sgt, FTO, Chief, and Deputy Sheriff. He has taught rescue classes for both the PA dept of health and the PA state fire academy. Kevin is currently Undersheriff and Coroner for the Wheatland County Montana Sheriff’s Office. Undersheriff@wheatlandcomt.gov
