Captain Albert E. Torres

THE FINAL INSPECTION:

The Policeman stood and faced his God.
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining bright
Just as brightly as his brass
“Step forward now, Policeman,
How shall I deal with you?
Hove you always turned the other cheek?
To my word have you been true?”
The Policeman squared his shoulders and said
“No, Lord, I guess I ain’t
Because those of us who carry guns
Can’t always be a saint.
I’ve had to work most Sundays
And at times my talk was rough.
Because the world is awfully tough.
But I never took a thing
That wasn’t mine to keep…
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills just got to steep.
And I never passed a call for help.
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me.
I’ve wept unmanly tears.
I know I don’t deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.
If you’ve a place for me here, Lord,
It needn’t be so grand.
I never expected or had too much.
But if you don’t, I’ll understand.”
There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints often trod
As the Policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his God.
“Step forward now Policeman,
You’ve born your burdens well,
Come walk a beet on heaven’s streets.
You’ve done your time in Hell.”
Author unknown.

Officer Chad Miner
Powell Police department
Powell, Wyoming

November 29, 2019