Thread by @BPTC_Lecturer

A rare personal and serious thread from me.
This weekend marks 30 years since my Father died. Naturally I miss him and have dealt with my grief privately, but this thread is about the Police Officer who had to break the news to me. /1

I often think about the Officer, but this weekend particularly. I remember his name, his rank, his uniform, his face with a neat moustache and most importantly, the clear, kind and compassionate way that he told a 10 year old that his Father was dead /2

I later discovered that he insisted on being the person who told me, knowing that my Mother, family and friends would not have been capable of doing so. That he stayed in the house until he was sure that I was okay and in case I wanted to speak to him again /3

That he checked the next day to find out how I was and many times thereafter. I can't imagine that Police Officers sign up to the job thinking that they would have to carry out such awful tasks. But he did and with real skill and as I say, compassion. /4

Many times over the last 30 years, I've wanted to thank him. To tell him that I'm okay. Or that I've become okay as time has passed. To tell him that I can vividly remember him telling me and that I appreciate the way he did. /5

But I haven't. I have no idea if he's still alive or if indeed he would remember. Police Officers regularly have to do things that the majority of us would baulk at doing once. My respect for them really does stem from that one terrible moment /6

Instead, this evening, I've made a donation to COPS - Care of Police Survivors - a group that helps the families of police officers who have lost their lives on duty, rebuild their lives. An Officer helped me. I hope that in some way I can help their loved ones. /7

The Police do amazing work. Much of it unseen. Like most professions we are more likely to see the odd person who brings them into disrepute than acknowledge the dedication of the majority. I've worked with them and cross-examined them but always with a level of respect /8

Thanks for listening. If you want to find out more about COPS they can be found here @UK_COPS or on the web at: ukcops.org

To quote my fav philosopher, 'Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it'
/end

@UK_COPS Back to frippery, nonsense, trying to be funny (mainly failing) and posting far too many pictures of food. Oh and joining @Adam_Creme in our (rightful) disdain of goats cheese.
/ the real end