Funny that the closest I ever came to getting a commendation was during one of my more lackluster assignments.
My job was to supervise transit police officers who were assigned to ride on regional transit buses – some in uniform,
some plain-clothed. Other officers responded to disturbances on the buses.
My job, as I saw it, was to hang around and be available to respond to scenes needing a supervisor, and
stay away from and uninvolved with Minneapolis Police problems. In short – I drove around and ignored things.
One evening, I was on patrol in a marked squad car, and was near the intersection of Chicago and Franklin
Avenues. This particular intersection is located along one of the most crime-ridden corridors of
the city. A private security officer flagged me down. He had just witnessed a stabbing in
a parking lot less than fifty yards from my squad car. The victim was lying there, bleeding profusely.
The suspect was within 200 yards of me and walking away.
My first thought was how ugly this incident could get if I was forced to shoot the suspect. No other
cops were around for back-up and the residents of this neighborhood were not known for being cop-friendly.
Ignoring my first instinct to drive away and disappear, I decided I had to act. I radioed the Minneapolis dispatcher
to report the incident, have emergency medical personnel dispatched, and request back-up. Assuming the security guard
would have first aid training and radio communication, I advised him to stay with the victim, and I went after the suspect.
I hoped simply to tail the suspect until the Minneapolis Police arrived, but my plan expired when he ducked
down an alley to escape. Catching up with the suspect, I ordered him to the pavement at gunpoint,
wondering, “Why the hell am I dealing with a Minneapolis police problem?!” I held him spread-eagle on the ground
until a Minneapolis squad car arrived. The suspect was arrested without incident, and the victim survived the stabbing.
I, coincidentally, was nominated for an award. My advocates clearly did not know how much I had tried
to avoid this situation and make my problem someone else’s problem. Ultimately, the powers that be showed good
judgment in rejecting my nomination, and I retained my perfect record of receiving no commendations or awards during my less-than-illustrious
career. Even our family dog, Krypto, though not an official K-9, received a plaque commending a heroic act. But
thats another story.
