As you know , Gary Jones & Trevor Clenney have worked the 410s for many years .
Over a year ago , I happened to work a Sunday patrol shift . Gary Jones introduced me to “ Mike ”, an elderly man living in the beat . Mike is from Mexico but has been a citizen longer than I have . Gary explained that he & Trevor worked a death investigation at Mike ’ s home years ago . Mike ’ s wife of decades passed a way in her sleep , and the officers noted that Mike was understandably distraught and somewhat lost as they worked the routine call . Gary & Trevor took it upon themselves to “ adopt ” Mike & the three men became fast friends . They bring food and eat meals with Mike , purchased him a large print bible when his eyesight became too poor to read his own , and generally nag him to see after his health .
Geographic policing invests into people with a huge focus on relationships . Sgt . Greg Waldron captured the department ’ s geographic policing philosophy at its finest with the following story . It has been printed in its entirety to preserve the humility of these officers .
They convinced him to stop driving when it became obvious it was no longer safe for him to do so . The officers have talked to Mike ’ s two grown children , who live out of state . Gary & Trevor have contacted various agencies on his behalf and have helped him care for his small dog . When I met Mike , he wore me out about how much he cares for these officers . He boasted they helped him when his wife died years before . While they keep up with him throughout the week , I believe Sunday is primary visit day . Gary is a PTO and there ’ s no telling how many trainees he ’ s dragged to Mike ’ s house . It ' s probably a safe bet to say all the officers on the shift know what ’ s going on with Mike . That is a good thing .
I had occasion to recently work on the weekend again . I ran into Trevor at Mike ’ s house . Mike is at least in his mid-90s now . Trevor was sitting in Mike ’ s living room with his MDC atop a TV tray . He was focused on finishing a crash report . Mike was in his easy chair watching TV . I noticed there wasn ’ t a whole lot of interaction going on because Trevor was busy working . ( Although Mike did take time to critique Trevor ’ s Spanish in a brutally honest fashion ) Then it dawned on me the point was just to be with Mike , and not necessarily to entertain him . It was a comfortable situation for both of them . Mike mostly went on to me again about how much he loves Gary & Trevor . As far as he is concerned , they are his children .
When I left , a bunch of neighbors were outside . They all waved . Without a doubt , everyone on that street knows the police look after Mike and I think they really appreciate that . I know Mike does . These officers make no big deal out of this and wouldn ’ t want a huge deal made out of it . It is just what they do . These are things people just don ’ t know about police . I am always humbled when I see something like this .
Arlington , Texas Police Department
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