I just sold out my share of the business that I helped start in 1976.
Sort of strange to drive by the buildings that I helped build thirty years ago and remember that I no longer have keys in my pocket.
As a retiree.. I kind of know the feeling.. I've gone to a retiree banquet or two, I've visited the office.. But it's not the same as when I worked there.
And where as you were a big time homicide investigator.. I was a big time Police dispatcher. I can claim credit for a fair number of guests residing at the state criminal retirement facility (Also known as Department of Corrections or Prison)
I liked to describe that part of the job as helping people sleep better at night
You see.. Good law abiding types could sleep better knowing the car thief was properly locked in the slammer and thus would not be swiping their car.
And the car thief, well, last night he had to worry about "The Man" putting the grabbis upon him and tossing his sorry anatomy in the slammer.. Tonight, as he lies down upon the jail cell cot, That's one big worry off his mind, he too can sleep better.
So you see. I helped people sleep better.
Though I don't think all of them were happy about it
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
Life goes on, product still ships, investigations are still done, smoke still goes up the stack, soon you are not even a memory.
It's like being lost at sea in your own little row boat.
Have you ever removed a teaspoon of water from a full bucket and tried to detect what was missing?
I guess its why some retired folk hang out on the forum.
You know it is exactly the same when you leave a company after a lot of years. Going back to visit old friends is nice, but you run out of conservation really quickly. Best to always look ahead not behind you. Behind is the past and there is nothing you can do about that. It has happened. But looking ahead to the future, you do have some say in what happens.
I went to the annual retirement picnic 3 years after I retired and like you, I was treated as an outsider by most. The Sheriff did stop and say hi, how are doing, but I felt it was more politics than sincerity. 25 years on the force and in 3 your history. I have never been back to one since.
For years and years, all retirees received free membership in the FOP but this year they changed it, because the new people on the block thought we were a drain on the union. Now if you want to remain an active member, you pay the annual dues. Things change and I just feel that the new crowd wants nothing to do with us old horses.
Bob & Betsy - USN Ret'd '78 & FL LEO Ret'd '03 FMCA #F203528 '05 HR Endeavor, 40PRQ w/400 Cummins - With -'05 GMC Sierra LT, CC Z-71, the pusher '07 Arctic Cat 500A & Wilderness Kayak, riding in the pusher - Our Current Location
It has to be that way we must all turn the page and move on ,I see some people that I worked with and they are sincere but I have never stepped back into the shop since.30 days latter and they forget you.
Horsedoc wrote: I have heard this said and didn't really know what it meant until yesterday. I retired from a local law enforcement agency in 02. The county has a annual spring picnic for all the employees and retirees. Yesterday was the day and since I missed the one last year, I decided to go. Although I saw a lot of my old friends there and some folks I had not seen since retirement, I was no longer a 'part of the group'. Oh I was welcomed and the 'glad to see you again' came regularly, I was no longer part of the inner sanctum.
But I also saw a lot of old guys who were still hanging in there and needed some reason to get out of the house. No one, well maybe a few folks, knew who they were.
I guess I am just feeling sorry for myself. I went from a big deal homicide investigator, known throughout the government and the state law enforcment to just another has-been, with folks wondering who I am.
I expect this will be my last picnic. It was just plain depressing and even though I saw friends, my best friends were not there. Perhaps they figured it out before me.
Oh well, time to travel.
Horsedoc, it's not that your washed up or a has been, it's just that you aren't there with the guys (and gals) every day. I'm on my 26th year myself and I've been with my current department 14 years. I worked for two previous police departments. I still have friends at those agencies and after I left and I have gone back to a few events. Even though I'm still an active cop, I was no longer part of the group at those old agencies. I still had my friends that I worked with, but most of the new guys didn't know me at all. When I've gone back the guys are all talking about current cases and the stuff that's going on right now. Not the stuff that happened two or three or in my case 14 to 25 years ago.
2004 National Tropi-Cal T-350, Class A, Triple slide, 330 HP Cat DP. 2006 Dodge Dakota 4x4 or
2002 Harley FLSTF Fat Boy on a Trailer or
2004 Polaris Quad on the Trailer
I'm sure that there are others out there who are like you, retired but not yet ready to "hang it up ".
How about a working group of retired guys to do " cold case " files, for small departments that don't have the manpower to do it properly ? With your credentials and connections in Georgia, it may be possible to get state funding to set one up. Or go private and work as PI's with greiving families that need a old case to be reviewed.
Just because you are retired doesn't mean that you have forgotten all that you know. Far from it.
Both of us grew up in southeastern Ohio. Left there in the late 60's while I was in the Navy. Returned there in the early 70's after discharge but found we just didn't "fit in". Moved to Fla. for 20 years then to our present location in TN. During that time we lived in Saudi Arabia and Venezuela and traveled through Europe and the far east. Have traveled throughout the U.S. including Alaska. Go back to Ohio once in a while to visit family and friends but after just a short time realize that we still do not "fit in". For us there's just too much to see and do in the short time we have and "going back home" is not one of those options. Many of our friends and family are still there and would not think of leaving but for us it's just not the life we want.
"BIG BOB" & DIANE:
Big Mac & Sarah (Retired Greyhounds)
2005 Prowler Regal AX6 365BSQS
2005 F-350 Lariat Crew Cab 4x4, DRW, 8'bed, 6.0 P/S Diesel,
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