Family Union

Southern California has been a hot time. With temperatures in the 100’s it is noting short of Hades. I believe 111 was the high, but the reassuring aspect is by 11pm it is down to 95 degrees.

It has been years since my siblings have been in the same town together. We have all found our home away from home. So when our brother graduated from Police academy we migrated back to our old stomping grounds. It was great reconnecting having cousins meet for the first time, celebrating birthdays and realizing how old our parents really are.
White shirts for everyone pull out the cameras and let’s call it a family reunion.

I am so proud of my younger brother Darrell. He has spent every weekend the last 11 months putting himself through the Police Academy. Unlike Oregon (get hired first and then sent to academy) he has had to push through the months hoping that in the end he will get hired onto a law enforcement agency. It has been difficult and yet entirely rewarding.
The graduation ceremony was the typical pomp and circumstance, introductions and speeches. My brother kept me up-to-date with his progress and standings in the class so I knew he had a shot at one award. It was marksmanship/firearms he had the best chance of getting. The class shot over 1500 rounds over the last 11 months, using hands guns and shotguns in many different scenarios. The award description was read to the audience stating that the recipient had scored a perfect 100%. A gasp fell over the audience and shouts followed as Darrell Locke was mentioned as the receiver. What a stud.
Awards were given for Report writing, Weaponless Defense, Physical Training (which my brother should have gotten, politics!) Outstanding Practical Performance, Leadership and Overall Achievement. What I thought was the most prestigious award given was in honor of a SWAT member who was killed in the line of duty. The recipient of this award was chosen after an extensive interviewing process to see if they displayed that same attitude for duty, would go above and beyond what was expected and be “true blue” in all areas of life.
As the testimony of this fallen SWAT officer was being described there was not a dry eye in the room. It seemed that no one was worthy to been granted such a high honor as this young man had display in his service for community and career. The award went to Darrell O. Locke for his character, selflessness and attitude that Officer James Rapozo had displayed 10 years earlier as he took point on a warrant arrest of a criminal in his home. As Officer Rapozo entered through the front door he was met with gunfire that claimed his life, but not his legacy. My bro is a stud and we are so proud of him.

California is still hot but we plan on staying around for one more week. Then we head up north through Utah (see my sister again) and into Montana to finish the reunion of relatives. Thanks for the prayers, encouragement and love along this trip.

Blessings
Heath