In the late hours of Monday, March 15, 2010, Elyria PD Officer James Kerstetter was taken by hands of another.
This is a tribute to him and those who still serve.
Many in my generation, including me, have been suspicious of police, sometimes distainful, most often not thoughtful of what it takes to be 'on the job'.
A Cop On the Take ...
- First he takes ... the oath. Then ...
- He takes ... it in stride when people call him pig.
- He takes ... his lousy paycheck realizing he'll never be rich.
- He takes ... a second job sometimes to make ends meet and support his family.
- He takes ... time to stop and talk to children.
- He takes ... your verbal abuse while giving you a ticket you really deserved.
- He takes ... on creeps you would be afraid to even look at.
- He takes ... time away from his family to keep you safe.
- He takes ... your injured child to the hospital.
- He takes ... the graveyard shift without complaint because it's his turn.
- He takes ... his life into his hands daily.
- He takes ... you home when your car breaks down.
- He takes ... time to explain why both your headlights have to work.
- He takes ... the job no one else wants -- telling you a loved one has died.
- He takes ... criminals to jail.
- He takes ... in sights that would make you cry.
- Sometimes he cries too, but he takes it anyway because someone has to.
- He takes ... memories to bed each night that you couldn't bear for even one day.
- He takes ... time to explain to his family why he can't make the ball game his child is in and why he has to work on the holiday when other parents are off.
- Sometimes ... he takes a bullet.
- And yes, occasionally ... he may take a free cup of coffee.
- If he is lucky ... he takes retirement.
- Then one day he pays for all he has taken ... and God takes him.
