Samuel D Tress

The Art of Policing in Baltimore Samuel D Tress

Who would want to become a police officer? Risk your life for low pay, working weekends, holidays, missed family events such as birthdays and anniversaries. So, why? Some people become police officers because they need a job. Others do it because they need something to do until they can get their "real" job. And others become a police officer because it's a "calling." The latter group is the one who makes the most profound impact on the communities they serve and usually make it to retirement, if not killed in the line of duty. The true events woven in the pages of this book illuminate one cop's life's pursuit to make a difference in the lives of total strangers. Everyone has a story, some more interesting than others. The stories within these pages involve the Catholic Church, hostage-taking, barricaded gunmen, famous Baltimore sports figures, the longest gun battle in the history of the Baltimore Police Department, a police officer shot, the struggles of suicidal people, and even one ghost story. You will discover some of the stories are lighthearted, but most are heartbreaking. Police see people at their best and their worst. It can be said, the public expects the police to possess the wisdom of Solomon, the patience of Job and the tenacity of a fighter pilot. Living up to that expectation can take its toll. That may explain why 228 cops committed suicide in 2019. During the same time span, 132 police officers died in the line of duty, including 9/11 illnesses and heart attacks.