Aloha all,
Over the weekend, inmates set fire to two of our units. I was stationed at our comuunity level unit a few miles away. It was very frustrating to hear all the chaos over the radio transmissions. Fire, PD, Sherrifs all came to assist. Fight, takedowns, shots fired...
My sgt and I were ordered to report to said units after our relief arrived. When our relief FINALLY showed up, my sgt called the Watch Commander to see if we were still needed. In the "not so good" eyes of our LT, he said we were cleared to go HOME. I asked my sgt if he was gonna go and check out the situation and he goes,"**** NO...I'm going home!" Idiot.
I drove to said units and saw the LT who had me "cleared" and he was like, "Didn't I clear you?" I said, "yeah, but is the situation under control?" He responded with,"Uh..." That was IT. I "stole" another sgt.'s riot gear and went in to assist. This incident really showed the TRUE colors of both staff and inmate alike. Now I KNOW who I can count on when "it hits the fan", and who REALLY has my 6 covered.
I went in VOLUNTARILY in the event of an "after shock". See, I NEVER presume compliance, no matter what. Inmates were still refusing to obey orders, and with all the staff who talk "thunder" being statues, the situation was FAR from under control. I went in in the event more fights broke out, more resistance from inmates happened...the incident could've led from a fire to a hostage situation...then NOW WHAT?
During our breaks, which consisted of taking off our riot helmets and drinking some water, I went off and prayed. Man, all I could think about was my family and friends. I thank The Lord, no one was seriously hurt...
Now, I am not looking for praise here for what I did, some of you may view it as stupid. Just stop taking things for granted people, and do more "what if" thinking that will lead to positive changes in your lives.
Go and hug your spouse, girlfriend, guyfriend, check on your kids or child and kiss them, throw a ball for your dog, make scritchy-scratchy sounds on the couch and play w/ your cat, give a valuable knife to a friend to show how much they mean to you. MAKE THIS A HABIT. (well, not your whole knife collection but...LOL!)
See, more fights could've happened, more takedowns, hostage situations, and myself and others might NOT have made it home the next day.
I don't know how to say what I want to, but hopefully you'll know what I mean. NOW...go and tell your loved ones how blessed and thankful YOU are to have them in your LIFE! Do it NOW, and not just for today, do it EVERY day you are given.
God bless you all, and thanks for bearing w/ me on this one! BTW-On the other side of this coin, I in fact DID look like Marvin the Martian(from them old bugs bunny cartoons) in the riot gear until the armoury guy found me a helmet that fit! LOL!
Proverbs 16:3...Commit YOUR works to the LORD, and YOUR plans WILL succeed!
Edited by - DAYWALKER on 7/27/2004 8:39:32 PM
Okay, just what am I trying to say?
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samosaurus
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The Deacon
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Glad you made it through that mess ok, hope none of the good guys got hurt. What you did was far from stupid, and took real guts. What you said, and the values you expressed, make perfect sense. Stay safe my friend.
Paul <A HREF='http://home.earthlink.net/~paulberetta/index.htm'>my page</A>
Paul <A HREF='http://home.earthlink.net/~paulberetta/index.htm'>my page</A>
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dialex
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Hi Chad. My friend, this story of yours reminded me of another indian (or something) legend that sais the world is based on 12 pillars. Those are 12 people who can be everything, from pauper to king. Most of the times, they don't know their importance themselves. I think you could easily fit one of them's shoes... if you didn't already <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
May God take care of you and your beloved ones.
Um... can't you just shoot those bad guys? Would make things a lot more easier.
<a href="http://users.pcnet.ro/dialex"><font color=blue>(my page)</font></a>
May God take care of you and your beloved ones.
Um... can't you just shoot those bad guys? Would make things a lot more easier.
<a href="http://users.pcnet.ro/dialex"><font color=blue>(my page)</font></a>
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king-of-mars
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Ahhhhh, Samo, Jurph, Deac, Alex, KOM...how you guys crossed my mind during the incident. No BS there...jbake, Ceya, slick228, mancer, casi' talonturbo, dante', surly, swede, AET, ken...sorry for others I may have missed, but let's just say that all of you at the Forum I thought of at one point or another.
Like I said, I wasn't looking for praise...I just wanted to make sure that everyone puts down there knives, stop wondering about what to get next, and be thankful for what you already have in terms of REAL value, i.e.: Loved ones.
Mahalo you guys. Uh, and no Alexandru the Great, couldn't shoot them as staff was right in the middle of it all! Now, IF they made it over the fence, yes. Boy, the prison's in Romania don't take no "$h**" do they?! Shoot 'em?
Proverbs 16:3...Commit YOUR works to the LORD, and YOUR plans WILL succeed!
Like I said, I wasn't looking for praise...I just wanted to make sure that everyone puts down there knives, stop wondering about what to get next, and be thankful for what you already have in terms of REAL value, i.e.: Loved ones.
Mahalo you guys. Uh, and no Alexandru the Great, couldn't shoot them as staff was right in the middle of it all! Now, IF they made it over the fence, yes. Boy, the prison's in Romania don't take no "$h**" do they?! Shoot 'em?
Proverbs 16:3...Commit YOUR works to the LORD, and YOUR plans WILL succeed!
Daywalker: Now, I am not looking for praise here for what I did, some of you may view it as stupid. Just stop taking things for granted people, and do more "what if" thinking that will lead to positive changes in your lives.>>>
Man, believe me when I tell you, I have a very good idea of what you've been through. You did the right thing.
We have a number of officers at our prison who would have just gone home, too. I, like you, could never do that.
I've been through a couple riots myself. Ugly things, as you've seen.
Over the years, I've come to the aid of a number of downed officers. During one fight that I was in, another officer suffered six broken ribs, and I stayed with him as he lay on the floor, begging me not to leave him as we were surrounded by over 500 inmates.
During another incident, I helped an officer who had two teeth knocked out, and had to have 56 stitches put into his mouth to hold it together.
Aside from that, I've been injured plenty of times myself. Every day I walk into that prison, it's at the forefront of my mind that I might not leave alive. Few people go to work with that on their mind, but I know you do, Daywalker.
Keep us posted on what's happening at your facility, I'm very interested. We have a few things going on, as well, but not as dramatic as yours!
Sniper -- One Shot, One Kill Email: ST8PEN01@aol.com
Man, believe me when I tell you, I have a very good idea of what you've been through. You did the right thing.
We have a number of officers at our prison who would have just gone home, too. I, like you, could never do that.
I've been through a couple riots myself. Ugly things, as you've seen.
Over the years, I've come to the aid of a number of downed officers. During one fight that I was in, another officer suffered six broken ribs, and I stayed with him as he lay on the floor, begging me not to leave him as we were surrounded by over 500 inmates.
During another incident, I helped an officer who had two teeth knocked out, and had to have 56 stitches put into his mouth to hold it together.
Aside from that, I've been injured plenty of times myself. Every day I walk into that prison, it's at the forefront of my mind that I might not leave alive. Few people go to work with that on their mind, but I know you do, Daywalker.
Keep us posted on what's happening at your facility, I'm very interested. We have a few things going on, as well, but not as dramatic as yours!
Sniper -- One Shot, One Kill Email: ST8PEN01@aol.com
Aloha jim,
I didn't forget you of all people...felt like "you were there". As of now, we're still trying to rehouse inmates and get a great deal of them to other facilities.
The thing is, I wrote a memo to the Cap regarding certain safety issues WHERE the fire started. The warden himself came to speak to me about my memo because I sounded "upset". I got reprimanded for that memo, and look at what happened?! The Cap was talking his way through a LOT of questions during our debriefing...sad.
Our last guy got outta the hospital yesterday I think. And Jim, I KNOW you KNOW.
Thank God, we're still here to talk about it. Now, is the waiting game...to see if the powers that be will prevent or push under the carpet the incident of this past weekend. IF they only knew the slightest things we go through on a daily basis, there'd be changes alright. But the view ain't so good behind a desk, so they don't care...
Mahalo Jim, for not being a runner. You KNOW I got your 6 buddy!
Proverbs 16:3...Commit YOUR works to the LORD, and YOUR plans WILL succeed!
I didn't forget you of all people...felt like "you were there". As of now, we're still trying to rehouse inmates and get a great deal of them to other facilities.
The thing is, I wrote a memo to the Cap regarding certain safety issues WHERE the fire started. The warden himself came to speak to me about my memo because I sounded "upset". I got reprimanded for that memo, and look at what happened?! The Cap was talking his way through a LOT of questions during our debriefing...sad.
Our last guy got outta the hospital yesterday I think. And Jim, I KNOW you KNOW.
Thank God, we're still here to talk about it. Now, is the waiting game...to see if the powers that be will prevent or push under the carpet the incident of this past weekend. IF they only knew the slightest things we go through on a daily basis, there'd be changes alright. But the view ain't so good behind a desk, so they don't care...
Mahalo Jim, for not being a runner. You KNOW I got your 6 buddy!
Proverbs 16:3...Commit YOUR works to the LORD, and YOUR plans WILL succeed!
ALOHA Bruddah DayWalker,
Glad you walked through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, But you dont have to fear the Lord is always with you Bruddah.
Its funny when your suited up ready to go into harms way everything becomes crystal clear,who has your ***,what means alot to you and the problems you thought were big ready aren't anymore.I call these "moments of truth".
Life is strife,torment and love.Black Storms and Golden Sunsets..but its one of lifes biggest tradgedys is to have the wonderful experience and miss the meaning.
Glad you follow the warriors path bro,but what is gone is already gone and done,and what hasn't come needs no thought. Your exactly right, for right now the plums are ripe and the flowers in bloom. Enjoy the golden sunrise of another day my friend.<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Be @ Peace
Glad you walked through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, But you dont have to fear the Lord is always with you Bruddah.
Its funny when your suited up ready to go into harms way everything becomes crystal clear,who has your ***,what means alot to you and the problems you thought were big ready aren't anymore.I call these "moments of truth".
Life is strife,torment and love.Black Storms and Golden Sunsets..but its one of lifes biggest tradgedys is to have the wonderful experience and miss the meaning.
Glad you follow the warriors path bro,but what is gone is already gone and done,and what hasn't come needs no thought. Your exactly right, for right now the plums are ripe and the flowers in bloom. Enjoy the golden sunrise of another day my friend.<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Be @ Peace
Daywalker,
You've joined the club of those who are "on borrowed time". Welcome aboard!
I say this in all earnestness...I should have been dead a few times because of the things that happened in the prison. But I'm not.
Ya done good, Daywalker. Do those who sit behind the desks care if it happens again? **** NO!! Will they make changes? Doubtfull. Will they sling a good line of crap to get their asses out of the hot seat? Oh yeah, it's what they do best.
I have nothing but contempt for administrative jerk-offs who pull the weasel routine when others put their lives on the line.
God be with you!
Sniper -- One Shot, One Kill Email: ST8PEN01@aol.com
You've joined the club of those who are "on borrowed time". Welcome aboard!
I say this in all earnestness...I should have been dead a few times because of the things that happened in the prison. But I'm not.
Ya done good, Daywalker. Do those who sit behind the desks care if it happens again? **** NO!! Will they make changes? Doubtfull. Will they sling a good line of crap to get their asses out of the hot seat? Oh yeah, it's what they do best.
I have nothing but contempt for administrative jerk-offs who pull the weasel routine when others put their lives on the line.
God be with you!
Sniper -- One Shot, One Kill Email: ST8PEN01@aol.com
A few weeks ago, one of our female officers confiscated a broomstick that an inmate possessed and was twirling around like a martial arts staff. In this particular yard, there is only one officer posted, so she was all alone with over a hundred inmates.
A bit later, inmates began hurling rocks at the officer when her back was turned, so she couldn't see who did it. She wasn't hit, but it was close.
The lieutenant was summoned. I told him there were really only three options for a course of action:
1. Pull the officer from the yard and replace her. Bad choice, as the inmates would then have "won", and know that all they have to do to have a CO kicked out of a yard would be to hurl rocks.
2. Leave her there, and risk her being seriously injured or killed. Real bad choice.
3. Announce to the inmates that yard is hereby cancelled until they decide to begin acting like humans and not throw things at people.
The lieutenant and I agreed that #3 would be best; have the crooks take their behinds back in and lose their yard.
The captain had other designs, however. He opted to simply throw the officer back out into the yard, disregarding her safety despite the known, unsafe condition. I mean, after all, we couldn't possibly inconvenience the inmates, could we?!
Mark my words,if something had happened to her, I'd have put paperwork in on the captain's*****so quick his head would have spun. I would have made it quite clear that he had been apprised of the situation and displayed blatant neglect for her safety.
Sniper -- One Shot, One Kill Email: ST8PEN01@aol.com
A bit later, inmates began hurling rocks at the officer when her back was turned, so she couldn't see who did it. She wasn't hit, but it was close.
The lieutenant was summoned. I told him there were really only three options for a course of action:
1. Pull the officer from the yard and replace her. Bad choice, as the inmates would then have "won", and know that all they have to do to have a CO kicked out of a yard would be to hurl rocks.
2. Leave her there, and risk her being seriously injured or killed. Real bad choice.
3. Announce to the inmates that yard is hereby cancelled until they decide to begin acting like humans and not throw things at people.
The lieutenant and I agreed that #3 would be best; have the crooks take their behinds back in and lose their yard.
The captain had other designs, however. He opted to simply throw the officer back out into the yard, disregarding her safety despite the known, unsafe condition. I mean, after all, we couldn't possibly inconvenience the inmates, could we?!
Mark my words,if something had happened to her, I'd have put paperwork in on the captain's*****so quick his head would have spun. I would have made it quite clear that he had been apprised of the situation and displayed blatant neglect for her safety.
Sniper -- One Shot, One Kill Email: ST8PEN01@aol.com
Aloha guys!
Mahalo Surly. Psalm 27 is my "work creed"! God bless you and the "grommets!"
JIM: Man, do we have the same Captain?! Sounds like the type of decision ours would have made, and HAS made in the past...and let me tell ya, choice #3 was the most LOGICAL of the three! DUH!? Man, these higher ups either forgot where they came from, weren't good "floor soldiers" to begin with, or are so far up admins butts that they just don't give a ****!
Mahalo for the kind words Jim...I can relate man, we're there for a reason, and that's also why we're still alive.
Got yer 6!!!
Proverbs 16:3...Commit YOUR works to the LORD, and YOUR plans WILL succeed!
Mahalo Surly. Psalm 27 is my "work creed"! God bless you and the "grommets!"
JIM: Man, do we have the same Captain?! Sounds like the type of decision ours would have made, and HAS made in the past...and let me tell ya, choice #3 was the most LOGICAL of the three! DUH!? Man, these higher ups either forgot where they came from, weren't good "floor soldiers" to begin with, or are so far up admins butts that they just don't give a ****!
Mahalo for the kind words Jim...I can relate man, we're there for a reason, and that's also why we're still alive.
Got yer 6!!!
Proverbs 16:3...Commit YOUR works to the LORD, and YOUR plans WILL succeed!
hey buddy, glad you made it out ok, its unfortunate that things like this happen, and unfortunate that guys like you that dont get enough praise have to deal with this kind of human garbage.
make sure you take care of yourself, Im going for my final Visa interview on the 10th aug, so should be in the US in Sept sometime.
As I said take care of yaself buddy, Id hate for that Blue SpyderHawk to loose its owner <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Take care
MaNcEr
It's Time To Kick @$$ 'N Chew Bubble Gum
make sure you take care of yourself, Im going for my final Visa interview on the 10th aug, so should be in the US in Sept sometime.
As I said take care of yaself buddy, Id hate for that Blue SpyderHawk to loose its owner <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Take care
MaNcEr
It's Time To Kick @$$ 'N Chew Bubble Gum
You guys(Jim and Daywalker), seem to fit the build of those mentioned <a href="http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showt ... 745"><font color=white>here</font></a> on bladeforums because you "deal with it".
Edited to get the link to work.
<img src="spyder.gif" width=45 height=45 align=middle border=0>
Edited by - jaids on 7/31/2004 9:59:51 PM
Edited by - jaids on 7/31/2004 10:01:06 PM
Edited by - jaids on 7/31/2004 10:01:24 PM
Edited by - jaids on 7/31/2004 10:01:52 PM
Edited to get the link to work.
<img src="spyder.gif" width=45 height=45 align=middle border=0>
Edited by - jaids on 7/31/2004 9:59:51 PM
Edited by - jaids on 7/31/2004 10:01:06 PM
Edited by - jaids on 7/31/2004 10:01:24 PM
Edited by - jaids on 7/31/2004 10:01:52 PM
Daywalker, I think they must have a stamp somewhere that reproduces real jack-offs for prison administrators!
I believe you're correct on your premises; they have their nose up higher admin's butts, they forgot where they came from, and finally...when they were floor officers, they SUCKED!
Many times, like you, I've watched brother officers' lives being put in direct peril, unnecessarily, by our white shirts (Lt.s, Capts., and Major). They absolutely, 100%, do NOT care about our well-being, and have proven it time and again.
The hostile environment we work in does not make this any easier to deal with it.
Does the prison where you work house Maximum Security inmates? How many inmates does it house?
Sniper -- One Shot, One Kill Email: ST8PEN01@aol.com
I believe you're correct on your premises; they have their nose up higher admin's butts, they forgot where they came from, and finally...when they were floor officers, they SUCKED!
Many times, like you, I've watched brother officers' lives being put in direct peril, unnecessarily, by our white shirts (Lt.s, Capts., and Major). They absolutely, 100%, do NOT care about our well-being, and have proven it time and again.
The hostile environment we work in does not make this any easier to deal with it.
Does the prison where you work house Maximum Security inmates? How many inmates does it house?
Sniper -- One Shot, One Kill Email: ST8PEN01@aol.com