From the time my dad was a young boy he protected people. Whenever he saw a bigger kid picking on a smaller one on the playground he stepped in, even if he knew he would lose the fight. He spent his entire life like that. When he joined the Nevada Highway Patrol in 1980 he set out to rid the world of all bad things. When he retired in 2002 I asked him if he thought he did. His reply was "No". But, I disagree.
The change,you see, is in the child he saved in 1981. The drunk driver he arrested in 2001. The kind gesture he made when he gave a woman in the checkout stand five dollars when she came up short on groceries to feed her kids yesterday. The stuffed animals he gave to the children who were injured, ill, dying, or had just seen something kids shouldnt see. Its also in the times he worked many long hours only to return home and be called right back out again. I know that over 22 years he impacted people in a good way.
My father is a good man who has lived his life with Honor, courage, conviction and truth and undying love for his fellow man. He is not conceited nor selfish. He goes out of his way to help others even if it doesn't benefit him in any way to do it.
I admire my dad. I know he changed the world. It is my greatest hope that I can even come close to the kind of man my dad is.
I have known many police officers throughout my life, and every single one of those men and women who go out everyday and dedicate their lives to the service of others deserve more then I can ever hope to give them. So I beg whoever reads this to next time you see a Police officer, no matter where you are, stop what you're doing, walk up and thank him or her. For it is because of people like that officer and my dad that we are truly able to live and enjoy true freedom.
Dad, you did change the world. I only hope that one day I can be even remotely close to the kind of man you are. I love you with all my heart.
-Eric
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