I followed a trail of blood up the concrete steps as Deja vu overtook my thoughts.
I’d been here before, just a few short months ago, doing the same exact thing, following a trail of blood to an open front door.
As was the case then, on this night there had been another call for shots fired heard coming from the street.
A trail of blood, an open door and no body to be found.
Just like last time, the person was taken to the hospital by a friend, so we wait to hear from the hospital when they make their mandatory call about somebody coming into the emergency room with bullets in their body.
As I was checking the house for another injured or dead person, I couldn’t help but notice that the house was exactly as it had been before.
There was no furniture in the living room and there was trash all over the place. Paper plates with leftover food and cigarette butts littered the kitchen counter. The upstairs was where the televisions and furniture were kept. When you live in fear of drive by shootings, upstairs is the safer place to spend most of your time.
As I was leaving the kitchen, my eyes were drawn to the floor by a cockroach scurrying over a button, the kind that you can pin to your shirt to announce things like, “I voted” or “I gave blood!”
This button had a picture of Michael Brown on it and the words “Justice for Mike Brown” or some similar message around the photo.
There was something queer about the button being on this particular kitchen floor on this particular night, surrounded by roaches and drops of blood and dog shit as well.
I shook my head and left the house satisfied that nobody was dead or injured inside.
Just outside of Ferguson, life is going on.
The shootings and robberies and burglaries and car accidents and domestic incidents are still happening, and people are still calling for the police to come help them.
People still need our help, and we’re still providing it.
I’ve received many messages from people around the world asking me if I’m alright, asking whether or not I’ve been in Ferguson.
I am fine and I was up there for a little bit, yes, though not on the front lines of the chaos.
There seems to be a perception, outside of this area, that it’s a war zone here, that the whole region is in shambles.
I can see how a person might think such a thing. I mean, God forbid the national media folks take their cameras outside of the immediate area where all the trouble is happening to see that life is still being lived by decent folks, even just outside of Ferguson.
Just outside of Ferguson, here in St. Louis, I watched as several black kids played basketball in the street. They were the same kids I had watched playing ball several weeks ago.
The were playing with a basket that had a net attached to it. That’s a novelty in the city.
Several weeks ago, however, long before anyone knew who Mike Brown was, I watched as they bickered and argued and almost got into a fist fight, as young boys sometimes do, over whether or not a shot had gone through the rim or not.
“It went in,” I said from the car.
“Awe, NO WAY!” The defending boys protested.
“You need new glasses,” one of the boys shouted in jest.
He was probably right, but the ball had gone through the hoop, I was sure of it.
“And you boys need a new net,” I replied.
I got a call right about then and had to go. As I drove off, one of the boys asked me if I’d get them a net. I promised I would and left for my call.
A few days went by and I’d forgotten to get the net. I felt bad, so I drove around North St. Louis looking for a basketball net. Unbelievably, it’s difficult to find such an item in the area where I patrol.
Poverty and crime aren’t great assets for areas looking to woo businesses, so I had to venture into the County, towards Ferguson, ironically.
On a Saturday morning, I finally went to a Walmart and bought several nets. I went back to where the boys had been playing and got out of my car and started to walk to the netless rim.
As I was walking towards the rim, a man in a red Camaro parked right in front of the basket put his hands out the window and said, “I ain’t doin’ nothin’ wrong, officer. Just waitin’ on my girl.”
It’s sad that he assumed I was headed to him, but I get why.
“I didn’t say you were doing anything wrong, partner. Carry on with your day,” I told the man.
Thankfully, the rim wasn’t set at the 10 foot regulation height, so I could reach it without having to balance on something.
I started to put the net on the rim and the guy in the Camaro got out and walked over.
“You bought that net?” He asked.
“I certainly didn’t steal it,” I joked. “I told the kids I would bring one a couple of weeks ago, so I’m making good on my promise finally.”
“Awe hell, that’s really cool.” He said.
He came over to the rim, grabbed the other side of the net and helped me put it on. We shook hands, thanked each other and went about our days.
As I watched the kids playing basketball the other day, one of the boys asked me if I was the cop who bought the net.
“Yep. It’s been a few weeks now and I’m still waiting to hear somebody say thank you.” I was just being sarcastic, but I’ll be damned if every last one of those little buggers didn’t immediately say thank you right then and there.
I was given the honor of a couple of shots with a ball that had no air in it and proceeded to chuck an air ball and what I believe is still called a brick before hanging my head in shame and leaving the kids to their game. I looked to the porch and got a smile from one of the adults, maybe one of their moms, and I smiled back. Smiles are small victories to me. They probably laughed at me, but if they did, they had the courtesy to wait until I left, at least.
The boys weren’t concerned with what was going on in Ferguson because they were too busy being little boys.
Most of the other people I’ve dealt with aren’t consumed by it either.
The Subway clerk was still friendly and didn’t spit on my sandwich.
An old woman took my hand in a parking lot and asked to pray with me. I’m not normally into such things, but in times of crisis, being open to anything can only help. She asked Jesus to lift me up and help me be just and fair and to remain safe as I do God’s bidding.
I don’t know about all that, but I was glad for the prayer. She was the second person to ask if they could pray with me in a week. It hadn’t happened, that I can remember, in the fifteen years prior I’ve done this job.
I’m still responding for calls about accidents and shootings and assaults and everything we always deal with.
Life goes on, even when there’s chaos.
Crime never takes the day off, and may even become worse when there’s chaos.
Still, I am responding and I am helping and I am hoping, just like I believe the citizens are, that the mess in Ferguson is resolved soon.
We hope all this violence isn’t for nothing.
Something has to change, and change for the better.
Shame on all of us, if we let this pass and we don’t become better people for having endured it.
That’d be a real shitter.
For my part, I’m going to just keep doing the best job I can.
To start, I’m going to buy a basketball and fill it with air.
I’ll bring it to some boys who have a basket with a net, but no air in their ball.
It’s a little thing, but it’s something I hope will help to build trust and healing and keep them from growing up scared of the police.
It’s the least I can do out here, just outside of Ferguson.
don of all trades 
You, Officer Don, do the little things that I can only pray are remembered at times when people are screaming and cameras are pointing. I’m glad to read you are well and that people are going about living their lives the best they can just outside of Ferguson. Thank you for this, all of it, my friend.
Great article and I enjoyed reading. The national media coverage is so biased one way or the other with this story that the lives of actual people in the area are forgotten. You reminded us this is more than a media feeding frenzy.
Thank you for reminding people that there are good cops. I know 🙂
Awesome brother, and God bless you. Stay safe and I wish the media and the public realized how many police officers like you and i are really out there, that really care and give way above and beyond what’s expected from our general orders to make a difference. I applaud and appreciate you and every brother in blue like you.
Praise to our boys in Blue
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You and other cops have taser guns, that stop 260 pound men. Why would you shoot someone without a gun, when you can taser them saving your life and theirs. But i guess that is to much to ask for. Cops are a pond in the bigger picture for martial law.
I love this story, shows a different type of policeman. If the rest of officers where this way we might be o.k. moving forward. The cop you work with is not this friendly, was picked on in high school and will keep bullying innocent citizens, breaking the law even though he is bound to up hold the law ie…( color of law ). Every cop took that oath and should be held accountable for their actions. People should never stop because police brutality will never stop. Live your life being a good cop and exude that to other cops you know that are no good.
Reblogged this on SandraBranum's Blog and commented:
Life goes on for some…
This is fabricated….as in another post from the cops “wife”, posted a picture of him standing on the cop SUV to put the net in…moral of story, the dude is trying to divert attention from the problem and lying….he is actually a member of the kkk and works for Obama personally……
What the fuck is wrong with you? Piece of shit. This man did an amazing this for these kids. Go fuck yourself
GOD BLESS
This is such a great article and I appreciate you sharing it. My mother is a retired police officer and always told us to never be afraid of the police because they will ultimately be the ones who put their lives on the line to protect you. Not all police officers are bad and people should realize that.
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Stopped by as I saw your comment on Suzie’s post.
I’m guessing you’re familiar with the late George “Doc” Thompson and Verbal Judo/Tactical Communication. I started studying VJ after a very short stint as a security officer; the owner aspired to have employees trained to reserve police academy standards. What you’ve written reminds me of what Doc said got him to develop VJ- noting that the officer he learned from cultivated real, honest relationships of trust with the community he served.
I think you’re doing the right things, Don.
I freaking love you.
You, my friend you’re a model for all humankind and not just for Police or Law enforcement! I commend you sir for your humanity!
We so often get lost in the story as it is given to us we forget to notice the story is in the every day moments of kindness which I believe are all around us. Thank you for the reminder. More of that please and thank you.
It’s wonderful what you do in building bridges in the areas you cover. I once worked with a girl who lived in a very tough section of the city. She got mad at our boss who made some disparaging remarks about the area, saying something like ‘a match would be the best solution.’ She said: “Sometimes I think you forget people live there.” They do. I’m glad you remember, Don, and I’ll bet they are, too. Keep up the great work. 😉
Aw, Don, this is great. Well written and, even more importantly, well lived. Thanks for all you do to serve and protect (sorry I haven’t been around much, either.)
FWIW:
I’ve read a goodly number of comments and essays from guys who’ve done tours in third world crapholes that all note the fastest ticket to being seen as a confirmed “good guy” by the locals is the presentation of a small hand pump and a hang card containing a few ball inflation needles for using on basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, etc.
Were you inclined, I can’t imagine a cheaper or easier way to make a friend or three when the opportunity arises than keeping a spare one or two of those in your patrol bag in the trunk.
Thanks for staying on Team Human Being in such a daily craptastic career, and stay safe.
And thanks for a great post.
Reblogged this on blugodess and commented:
This is so touching. I’m very happy that the people have someone like this wonderful cop and man to help little by little start to rebuild trust. A trust that is desperately needed.
A great cop, a great man and a great writer. You are a don of all trades if I have ever known one. Keep doing the wonderful things you are doing and stay safe in the process.
Great post, Don. I somehow missed it last week, but I’m glad you reposted it. Those boys won’t forget you. Take care!
Nice one DOAT. Hat’s of to you.
Reblogged this on HX Report and commented:
I have followed a blog called ‘don of all trades’ for two years or so. The writer is a policeman living and working near Ferguson, Missouri, where Michael Brown was recently shot to death by the local police who have come in for lots of criticism especially from the local black community. He is decent guy and his post of last week went viral in blogging circles. Nice piece. MB
Thanks for being you, for caring enough to make a difference, but most importantly, thank-you for being an officer of the law. ‘To serve and protect’ holds awesome responsibility, to do it and not forget the little things that make a huge difference within the lives of others, is humanity at it’s best. May we all open our eyes to the little things, the glimmers of hope that each of us can offer. It will take Acts of Kindness, small, yet great to soothe the souls and bury the hatchets of destruction. It will take all of us, no matter what creed or color, political or religious (or non-religious) affiliation to restore our faith in one another. We have the capacity, may we believe we have the courage. Our kids need us; our legacy deems it absolutely necessary if we are to live in freedom of fear.
Came to you via Michael DeBarra (HX Report). It was so worth the visit. Hat’s off to you, for everything you do, and for taking the time to hold an old woman’s hand and replace a basketball net. Those are the things that matter, the things that individuals remember forever, long after the crap storm has passed. Living in the Middle East, I try hard to focus on those little moments, and not on the sensational ones that are thrust upon us daily. Bless you. I am looking forward to reading more of your posts.
So glad I came back and finished reading this. A well written piece.
It should not be a rarity that a child has air in his ball or a net for his rim. It should not be a rarity that a citizen offers to pray for an officer of the law.
Hopefully, one day these are the ever day occurrences and crime will take a holiday, or better yet extended leave.
In the meantime, there are many who pray for police officers, firefighters, rescue workers, etc. Just like our military, you put your life on the line every day. And I thank them. I thank you!
Covering you in prayer and sending angels to be by your side.
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Blog of the Week
http://www.wnd.com/2014/08/lefty-journalist-commits-bullet-blunder-in-ferguson/
WOW this made my day! Thank you! My husband is an officer and it is hard to see so many posts that are so negative towards law enforcement raging all over social networks. This was so refreshing! Thank you for you’re service and be safe!
Reblogged this on sassysavvysister and commented:
This was so very eloquently written! Thank you Don!
Reblogged this on ukeogah and commented:
A moving narrative from an american law enforcement officer… It is so easy to group all policemen and label them “villains” but this would be subjecting them to the very same stereotypical profiling that we fight against. We shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bath water… This brings to mind, Chimamanda Adichie’s TED “the danger of a single story”
Fabulous! Thank you to your hardwork & dedication, my prayers go out to you & yours for, safety, wisdom & protection!
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oh my, these photos are just wonderful! Great job!
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Blessings to you and your family for a Happy Thanksgiving, Jen! I’m too busy right this sec or I’d say more. Talk to you soon.
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