SEPT 2026. Blues Vol 42 No.9

FROM THE EDITOR-AT-LARGE

FROM THE EDITOR-AT-LARGE REMEMBERING THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US Throughout the history of this magazine, and many other publications, to be fair, we oftentimes focus on our “Active” status personnel. Not too often do we mention, write about, or spend adequate time on our “Retired” personnel. Well, over recent years, that kind of ideology has slowly been changing. Mostly because many retirees from our profession are finally living longer than six months to a year after their retirement. One example comes from the Galveston Police Officers Association. Some time back, their Board of Directors, including Lt. Buck, came up with the idea of presenting something special—something memorable—to their retirees. The Association collectively wanted to provide something that was timeless, valuable, and tangible. Not just for the retirees themselves, but for their entire families. The idea behind this was simple: the families sacrificed a lot as well over the course 10 The BLUES SEPTEMBER ‘26 of a career at the Galveston Police Department. So, it was decided to present every honorably retired Galveston Police Officer from the previous year forward with a Model 1911 .45 ACP semi-automatic pistol. Not just any pistol, either. No, sir. No, ma’am. A personalized, eloquently designed and finished Kimber 1911 pistol, complete with the officer’s name, badge, and Galveston Police Department insignia, coupled with twotone finishes and pearl/ivory-styled grips! Look, the Galveston Police Officers Association pulled off something most associations simply can’t financially sustain. I get that. What I am referring to is the fact that the folks on the Island came up with one hell of a sincere, meaningful way to show their retirees: “You may be leaving here, but you will never be forgotten—and we hope you never forget us.” Another cool way departments remember and help take care of their retirees is through the Texas Department of Public Safety. They have regional, annual qualifications for their retirees, complete with BBQ or some kind of cook-on-site dinner, camaraderie, respect, remembrance, and, above all things, a real sense of still belonging to something bigger than themselves. Not just people who were all used up and discarded like old, worn-out equipment. I am sure some other Texas law enforcement officer associations do something— anything—for their retirees. Because, tragically, most agencies won’t. Most simply do not have the money, appreciation, respect, or foresight to simply and respectfully remember those who came before them. No, it’s not cheap. It costs

money. I get it. Same as the do-nothing, What I don’t get is how we bumbling goober who could all fear retirement because barely complete a report, let of the short time most of us alone work a multi-vehicle/ have once we do retire, specifically from this profession, bus crash without fainting commercial vehicle/school when, if we’d just put a little right there on the scene!!! imagination and dedication To every retiree who gives into it, we could ALL probably come up with something this profession, the studies 25-plus years of their life to pretty special for our retirees all point to about six months to keep them up, running, to five years being about all and most of all… you’ve got for your retirement. NOT FORGOTTEN. That’s not much time. Say whatever you will— Not much time at all. even the old, salty, no-good We owe it to them, and to grump so-and-so who finally ourselves, to do better. retires gave a lot of years We just do. of his life to his respective If all the department will agency. do is make the retiree pay for START SHOPPING their own retirement badge, mail them a Certificate of Retirement sometime later, and hand them a cupcake as they boot them in the ass on the way out… Then the department—and all of us—are wrong for it. Period. My sincerest respect to the Galveston Police Officers Association, the Department of Public Safety, and all those others out there who do something—anything, in fact—above and beyond to try and keep their retirees remembered, respected, and engaged. To you I say—Well done. The BLUES - SEPTEMBER ‘26 11