Brigano's Market Holdup
Dick Stemmer Tom Bogaert Phil Taurisano
Patrolman Tom Bogaert in the "Early 70's"
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| Early in my Police career |
I realize that many retiree's have given more years in the Police Service and I, for one commend them for it and hope that you are now enjoying the years of your retirement following your service to our community, as I am.
Looking back I can only say that the years I spent on the job were some of the most memorable years of my life.
By the time I had reached a decision to retire I was fully experienced and fully saturated with "blue blood" actually running through my veins. I knew that the time had come for me to leave and I remember vividly some of the thought processes that occurred during that time in my decision.
In looking back now the one thing that did I not realize at that time was just how much of an impact the job had left on me.
I did not consider what being a Police Officer and spending that amount of time, energy and thought poured into the Department and into Police service had really meant. It had left an indelible mark , one that even now here, years later, still exists in one way or the other.
Once you put the badge on, it never comes off, whether people see it, or not. It fuses it self to the soul. It happens through adversity, fear and the gallons of adrenaline that has been pumped through you. No one who has ever worn it with pride, can ever get through the day or the night and not feel the unmistakable hold it has on you.
I still have a pen and pad close by as I travel out and about and have on several occasions written down plate numbers where something didn't seem just right for later reference. I have been known to go around the block after passing by a traffic stop, just in case something goes wrong.
I can tell you there have been times when I have rescued stranded motorists and recalled that old feeling once again. This past winter I came upon a van stuck in a deep snow bank while inching through a whiteout on Cider Street near the end of the Airport runway. Its an area known for whiteouts during snow storms. No telling what would have happened there that day had I not just happened by, and had the where with all to stop and see if the car was occupied; it was, and after notifying the Sheriff's office I was able to pull the van out which was stuck in a huge snow drift in the middle of a whiteout. I attribute that sort of action to the many times I was placed in dangerous situations throughout my years of Police Service.
To this day I am still known through out the places I travel in our community as a retired Utica Cop. I have been introduced that way on numerous occasions without any prompting what so ever on my part. I must be honest and confess I don't mind and in fact when that happens I feel proud.
I pay close attention to what I see in the newspaper and other media sources. My ears perk up at the mere mention of police, especially Utica Police. I'm amazed at hearing the names of Officers now serving and remember how at one time I personally knew 175 and now only recognize a handful.
My best advise to those contemplating retirement is this. Be sure you are ready to give up an identity you held for many years. If your healthy and still enjoy your working hours and feel able to do the job then by all means don't give it up.
A lot is given up when you retire. You lose contact with fellow officers you assumed you would have contact with for the rest of your life. You lose your civilian contacts through out the community and your informants when you no longer wear a badge. The so called friends and acquaintances you were so familiar with go away never to return until you bump into them while out shopping. So a lot changes when you retire. Be aware of that.
My deepest appreciation and sincerest thanks go out to all Police Officers everywhere, we need them.
I pray that all Police Officers and especially Utica Police Officers will be protected and kept safe as they carry out their duties. Remember you young un's that some day you will be out here just as we are now. I hope when you meet a retired Police Officer you remember that we are all on your side, all the way , and that you have a retired friend who understands what it's like being on the job.
Patrolman Tom Bogaert "Westside Car"
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