“Thanksgiving Can Be Found in the Simplest Form…”
By Chief Fred Maas

I had a reporter in my office the other day. She was there to cover a positive story piece on the community. While she was waiting for me to finish the phone call I was on, I noticed her gazing about my office, noticing different things. She looked at the police collectibles and statues that have been acquired and given as gifts over the years from different officers. She read some of the plaques and some of the awards that the department has won over the years. I say the department because although my name may appear on the award, I will always proffer that it is the men and women who serve under you that are the ones who were responsible for that achievement. She looked at various photos of events, incidents and more importantly family members.

But then she turned to me and caught me completely off guard when she asked me this question: “of all that is inside this office, which award or statue is the most treasured or meaningful?” I did not have to think very long at all to give her my response.

I brought her over to the section of the bookcase along the wall and I pointed out a row of cards and notes. “These!” The cards and notes of thanks and appreciation from my officers, civilians, and people in the community whom we helped in some small way.

Whether it was a note of encouragement, a gift on a birthday, an expression of sympathy during a death or hardship, or just a listening ear at 11:30 in the evening; to let them know you care.
“These” are what makes this job what it is. The lives you touch in ways you don’t even realize and they tell you in words, in a card, what that meant to them. That feeling is the most treasured award or gift that will ever be in this office.

Happy Thanksgiving! And may you be thanked and blessed by someone’s life whom you touch this coming year…

TOP