What it takes to be a Law Enforcement Officer and This Week

Our friend Bobby Inman is feeling better and has forwarded us the promised essay:

First of all, I want to thank all that have checked up on me the last couple of days. I had three seizures last Friday and was hospitalized. However, I did come into the Office today because I had told Shoalanda Speaks that I would write an article for the website about this week.

This article is about what it takes to be a Law Enforcement Officer. A Law Enforcement officer can be anyone, Male or Female, Black, White, Asian, etc. Big or Small. But they all have one thing in common. They have the “Heart” of a Law Enforcement Officer. They put their lives on the line to protect you and me in today’s Society.

These Officers spend their careers working odd shifts, Holidays and Birthdays. They miss their kids growing up, everyday events with friends as well as family and important dates. Off time is spent in Court or catching up on sleep. You will not get rich in Law Enforcement. The Pay Scale for Officers is low which is really sad.

These Officers see the worse of Society. They see the wrecks, the Domestic Situations, the death, the chases and the bad side of people. They have to deal with the heat, the cold, the snow and the rain. There are long shifts as well as overtime. But, they chose this profession. They are the Warriors in today’s Society that keep us safe. They have made the choice that they may lay down their lives to Protect you. 

As of today, there has been 35 Law Enforcement Officers killed this year. That number is too many. Furthermore, there has been 12 Police K-9s killed in the Line of Duty this year. So, next time a Police Officer stops you for a traffic offense, realize that he is stopping you to help you. He might have saved your life telling you not to run that STOP Sign again. But also realize that he may not survive the next traffic stop.

Respect the men and women who wear the blue, grey, brown or whatever color uniform of Law Enforcement. They are someone’s Mother or Father, Brother or Sister, Son or Daughter. They are there to protect us. This week is the National Law Enforcement Memorial Week. Let’s salute our fallen comrades.   

"When a police officer is killed, it's not an agency that loses an officer, it's an entire nation." -Chris Cosgriff, ODMP Founder

Bobby Inman is retired from Full-time Police work. He currently works as a Reserve Deputy for the Colbert County, Alabama Sheriff’s Department as well as owning Hammer Down Gun & Pawn. He has articles published in Law & Order Magazine, Police Marksman Magazine, Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement Magazine as well as several published ebooks on Amazon.

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Thought for today: Forgiveness is better than "calamari," nevertheless, be careful what you say about your enemies--remember you're the one who made them.

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A beautiful song written by Guy Clark and performed here by the writer and Townes Van Zandt. Townes died on January 1, 1997, and Guy passed away this morning:

Police Officers' Memorial Day/Life Without? We Doubt It

From the website:

National Peace Officers Memorial Day falls on Sunday, May 15 in 2016. Because National Police Week takes place during the calendar week on which May 15 falls, this year's official NPW dates are Sunday, May 15, 2016 through Saturday, May 21, 2016.

 

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Bobby Inman of Sheffield had contacted us about writing an article on this week's memorial activities; however, he has been ill. From Bobby's family:

Bobby did go to the hospital for an episode of 3 seizures. That combined with the stomach virus he has left him dehydrated and weak. He was later released from the hospital. I think this time he understands he's not as young as be used to be...he has to take this serious and do something about it. We would like to thank Sheffield Police, Sheffield Fire & Keller Ambulance for taking care of him tonight. Hammer Down Gun & Pawn will continue operating with Martha Sue, Anthony Davis, Drew Sebelski, Travis Bennett & myself while Bobby recuperates. Thank you. Paige

Best wishes to Bobby for a speedy recovery.

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From a reader: You missed the point about why Holland Elkins' victim is defending him. He has at least two previous convictions for violent crimes. If he's convicted of felony abuse (strangulation), he could get life without.

Since we strongly doubt Elkins' victim will testify against him (the Florence Police set him up according to her), we doubt that he'll be convicted.

Ladies, there's no need to stay in an abusive relationship, but we're sure there are cocker spaniels out there paying more attention to that admonition than those for whom it's written.

Who Has the Tape & When Can We Hear It?

Our guest blog on Muscle Shoals government has indicated someone has a very interesting audio tape in which a city official spills the beans about preferential treatment. We have to ask:

1. When will he release it?

2. Could it possibly bring legal charges against someone in the mayor's office or even spark a recall?

3. Does this mysterious Mr. X have an attorney? If he doesn't, may we suggest Billy Underwood.

We'll publish any updates as soon as we have them.

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Congratulations to Bobby Inman on a much deserved "retirement." We placed that word in quotes since we believe Bobby's retirement will be short lived.



Shoalanda

We Support Bobby Inman!

Officer Bobby Inman has helped our bloggers on several occasions. That doesn't mean he could never become violent, but we doubt that Officer Inman did anything that was out of line. The City of Sheffield says differently.

Let's see...a motorist is mouthy, then belligerent, then requires pepper spray, then a taser hit is necessary. After all this, is the need for some physical violence, to use the term loosely, that out of line?

Thanks to all officers who protect us daily. If stopped, just say "Yes, Sir., No, Sir., or Thank you, Sir." Believe us, it works out better that way. You can have your day in court if needed.

...and go get 'em, Billy!



Shoalanda

Maisie: Thank You So Much for Helping Me!

Trader came by to see me yesterday. The last time he saw me, I had just undergone surgery and was not feeling too good. I am afraid I was not a real good host that day. As I lay there, I heard Dr. Cobb telling Trader he was real concerned that he might have to take my leg off if infection started to set in. Dr. Cobb showed Trader the X Rays of my left hip where the bone was not only snapped in two completely, but I had bone splinters which were hard to pin and wire back in place. To make matters worse my pelvis was broken in several places. He could only allow Mother Nature to put it back together and that would take time.

It has been a few weeks now and I am so tired of being confined to a cage. They told me I had to stay confined for a little while longer to allow my hip and pelvis to continue to heal. Everybody here loves on me, and Dr. Cobb told Trader I was getting spoiled.

According to Trader, Dr. Cobb told him the danger of infection has now passed and he has taken me off of the antibiotics. Now! It’s just a matter of gradually allowing me to walk to get my hip strength back. They took me out today so Trader could take some pictures of me. He said he wanted everyone to see what the result of kindness can produce when so many human beings pitched in to help me survive. Trader told me my injuries would normally have been a death sentence without someone like Dr. Cobb willing to go the extra distance to save my life.

I could not believe my ears and my hope soared when Trader told me of the checks that were starting to come in from as far away as New Hampshire, Michigan, Georgia, Maine, and from the humans who live in this area. I especially want to thank Asst. Chief Bobby Inman of the Leighton Police Department who helped get the information out about me needing help. I was told yesterday he was involved in a car accident and he is going to be confined to a cage for a while until he can move better. Hang in there, Bobby! The days go slow but you will be out sooner than you think!

This is the first time in my life that I have received so much kindness from so many human beings. It is because so many that showed kindness to me knowing that I could not pay them back that I am still alive.

Dr. Cobb said I have about another 6 weeks of convalescence before they can even think about finding me a family. It would be nice to be able to love on some humans just like I have been loved on these past few weeks. Whoever is interested in adopting me into their family I hope will allow me to stay indoors as Dr. Cobb said, that due to my injuries, extreme cold, dampness, etc., would cause me a lot of pain if I was placed out in it all the time.

Again! Thank You So Much For Giving Me My Life Back!

Maisie

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Trader has a list of everyone who has contributed to Maisie's surgery and convalescence. Donations are still needed, but we are almost there. After she has completely recuperated and been placed, he will be in contact with each of you. Thanks to everyone who made Maisie's new life possible.

Shoalanda

Prepare to Get Connected!

Steve Guthrie Thanks his Physician

Leighton police officer Steve Guthrie has been cleared of all charges involving an incident at his Sheffield apartment. Why? Guthrie's prescribing physician informed the Sheffield Municipal Court and Leighton Town Council that any problems Guthrie suffered at the time of his arrest were the results of legally prescribed medication. While we're sure B. T. Gardner aggressively defended Guthrie, we have no doubt the doctor's statement provided the impetus to lift Guthrie's suspension.

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Assistant Leighton Police Chief Bobby Inman has requested a week to recuperate from injuries received in a Sheffield automobile accident Saturday afternoon. Inman has assisted in collecting funds for injured Beagle Maisie, and we wish him a speedy recovery.

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Sick of the rail car plant? Just imagine how David Bronner and retired state employees feel. A reader pointed out to us that the RSA has now invested the better part of a billion dollars in the so far failed endeavor.

If 120 employees seem like small potatoes, just think of the payroll required to keep that many on staff. Assuming an average salary of $10.00 per hour (and we're sure it's much more), the yearly payroll exceeds 2.5 million. That's not counting utilities for the mile long structure.

The RSA's 2009 annual report listed assets of over 27 billion; so just how important is National Alabama in the RSA's grand investment scheme? Let's just say if Dr. Bronner could find a buyer, we predict he would sell.

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We've all heard of the Grant Hotel, but the Sheffield Hotel? This image is from 1930 and available on eBay: Link


Shoalanda



Prepare to Get Connected!