By Ed Meckle, Retired LAPD
One day you will look at the clock and it is 1:00 pm and you realize you are still in your underwear. You may struggle for a moment to recall the day of the week or God forbid, the time of year. You are in California and can’t just look out the window. Hey, you’re retired.
Slowly your appearance will begin to change. I don’t mean to imply you will sit around in a torn t-shirt, eating Cheetos, drinking beer and watching golf on TV.
A stubble, perhaps? Why shave every day if you don’t have to? Moustache, beard, longer hair—you had to maintain your appearance for so long, take a break.
Behind the wheel you still read “plates” and look down alleys. Your wife says you drive like you are on patrol.
Eating out? Can’t sit with your back to the door.
You argue with the evening news.
While shopping, your wife deposits you in a good spot for people watching.
Then came that one chance comment that put everything in perspective.
We were at a large social function and a lot of mutual introductions are going on.
I usually defer to my wife. She says my name and “retired.”
A very sharp middle-aged woman I had been speaking to interrupted and said, “You don’t have to tell us what he retired from. He’s got cop eyes.”
And some things never change.
8 replies on “The Call Box: Cop Eyes”
H’mm. Usually it is fairly easy to spot a cop–whether in civilian clothes or retired. Love these posts.
I find it more and more difficult as I get older–tattoos, haircuts, behavior is all evolving along with the generations.
I vivdly recall my first day of retirement. I got up early. The feeling of, “I’m not suppose to be here” is difficult to avoid. I rarely missed work which made the feeling worse. I decided to walk down to Roberta’s Cafe in downtown La Verne for breakfast as I often did. La Verne is a beautiful little town. I knew a LOT of folks there having grown up in the area. In fact at one time the Mayor & the Police Chief were in my graduating class. Anyway, I walk into Roberta’s, and sit at the counter. Roberta waited on me, and asked why I wasn’t at work. I told her it was my first day of retirement. After finishing my breakfast Roberta comps my meal. I offered to pay, but no soap. That’s the kind of place I lived in. Roberta was a sweet gal. Tall, blond, blue eyed beautiful. She worked there as a kid waitressing, and eventually buying it. I get home after my wife left for work. She managed a Yankee Candle store at a local mall. The note on the frig said,”Enjoy the day & relax.” No way! I’m going out! Man, it was a “Ferris Bueller” day off! I had been a member of the CGIA for years (Calif. Gang Investigator’s Association), and finally had time off to go to their monthly meetings in West Covina. Retired LASO Sgt Wes McBride was founder, and CEO at the meetings. Great guy, and wonderful gathering of LEO’s from all around SoCal. I loved it! I bought a 1968 Mustang to tinker with. It was a beauty. It was a one owner who’s son sold it after his dad passed. Ran great! I was 20 yrs old when it rolled out of Detroit. It was so fun to drive. It had a custom red/orange paint job so it was noticed where ever I drove it. For nostalgia’s sake I drove it down Colorado Blvd in Pasadena where I cruised with my friend Don in HS. Felt good, but not quite the same of course. Don passed in Dec. last. I sold it in 2011 before moving up here in Oregon. Oddly, I have missed driving to work. I drove South on Central Ave for almost 30 yrs. Had my usual stops along the way to & from work. Got acquainted with the employees. Central is a main street through the cities of Upland, Montclair, Pomona, Ontario, and Chino where I worked. Over the course of years I saw car accidents (Some fatal), naked people (Streakers, nut cases, etc), a fatal police involved shooting, flooding, earth quake damage, and a few fires. Bound to see life on a big thoroughfare like that. Life’s parade so to speak. Frankly, I kinda missed it. But, mostly I missed my friends from work. Since I retired in 2007 I have lost 8 of them. The most unexpected was Tom in April of 2016. We were close. Poor Elaine who worked in my office for many years was murdered by her son no less. THAT was a shocker. Today, I live very quietly in this small town in southern Oregon. It’s beautiful here. Our Granddaughter lives down the street. I turn 70 tomorrow Jan. 15th. My brother Danny turns 84 tomorrow, and his son Randy turns 61 tomorrow. Life is good.
On Sun, Jan 14, 2018 at 6:08 AM, Just the Facts, Ma’am wrote:
> Thonie Hevron posted: “By Ed Meckle, Retired LAPD One day you will look at > the clock and it is 1:00 pm and you realize you are still in your > underwear. You may struggle for a moment to recall the day of the week or > God forbid, the time of year. You are in California and can’t ” >
A nice memory to share, John. Thank you!
Ed how true, if you spent any time wearing the badge you develop habits that you’ll carry to the grave. You’ll see things that other people will miss. You’ll not only yell at the news but cop shows are ripe for criticism from real cops. I still open doors without using my gun hand and I’m a little cynical when meeting new people who seem overly friendly. “I’m just a product of my environment!”
As Ed said, some things never change. I still look at registration tabs and license plates. I haven’t been on the street since 1990.
ED, Hal, well said. I cringe when someone introduces me as, “EX LAPD Sergeant.” I quickly correct it with, “RETIRED.” EX is bad. if you know what I mean.
Big difference between “ex” and retired.