Little Rock

We were supposed to be heading north to KC today, but instead, Steve and I are heading south to Little Rock.  It's not a trip we necessarily wanted to make today, but we didn't have much choice in the matter.

Steve filled out his retirement papers back in August.  Because of his back, he is unable to continue as a Police Officer.  He was severely injured while on duty, years ago when he was hit behind by a stolen vehicle as they were trying to do a road block.  Steve was stationary; the car was going about 45-50 mph.  Since then, he has been in four more accidents, all on the job, none of them his fault.  All have aggravated the old injuries and over time it's gotten to the point that he can no longer wear a gun belt. 

He was diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease in 2008 and had a spinal fusion on June 13, 2008.  The fusion helped, but didn't make the pain completely go away.  Fast forward to 2010.  Our Police Chief instituted a new physical fitness policy requiring Officers to meet certain physical fitness standards.  Due to the location of the fusion, Steve is unable to physically do a sit up.  He is also not able to do a vertical leap, due to the fusion.  And don't even think about the mile and a half run!  That's a no go for sure!  Therefore, since he can't meet the physical fitness standards set forth by the Chief, it's time to retire.

August 31 was Steve's last day at DEA.  He came back to the PD and has taken over the Evidence room.  I have to say that I was a little leery of working in the same building again.  It's been 8 years since we've worked that close together and I was afraid it might be too much.  Especially since we have the same Supervisor.  He was able to change his hours so that he can still take Tanner to school every day (which she LOVES!), so that was good.  And I myself LOVE having him in the same building.  He comes and gives me a good morning kiss when he gets in and then we may or may not see each other throughout the rest of the day.  He's loved doing the Evidence and has made a lot of positive changes in the Evidence room.  He comes home in a much better mood too!  So this has been a blessing.

In mid-September, we mailed off all of the LOPFI (our retirement people) paperwork, requesting a duty related medical retirement.  Included in this paperwork were forms that both our family Dr and the Neurosurgeon had to fill out.  What LOPFI didn't tell us was that the Dr's had write their OWN statement, not just fill out the LOPFI questionnaire.  LOPFI also didn't like how Steve signed his name on one form "Steven B Parker" and "Steven Parker" on another (picky people!!). 

We spent all of October, all of November and part of December trying to get in touch with the Neurosurgeon and getting him to write a letter stating Steve can  no longer perform the duties of a Police Officer.  There was also a discrepancy between our family Dr, who says Steve's back injuries are due to the wrecks, and the Neuro guy, who says they aren't related to the wrecks.  Both have to agree in order for Steve to take a duty related retirement. 

Instead of arguing the "duty"/"non duty" related issue, Steve just decided to do a "non duty" retirement.  Honestly, there wasn't a huge difference and we just wanted to get it done.  I mailed all the stuff off last Tuesday to Little Rock.  LOPFI called Wednesday to say they received it and Friday they called to let us know we needed to see their Dr today.  We go down for the evaluation today and should get the go-ahead for retirement either next week or the first week of January.

Because we work for the same Supervisor, the Chief will have to go before the City Council and get their blessing for Steve to continue working as the Evidence Tech, in a Civilian capacity.  The Chief doesn't think this will be a problem at all.  If that all goes through......Steve will retire as a Police Officer and come back to work as a Civilian, after 30 days.

We are both nervous and yet excited at the same time.  It's hard to think of Steve NOT being an Officer, but yet at the same time, we know it's time to hang it up.  And honestly, Steve's been there long enough, he'll ALWAYS be apart of the PD, no matter what.   I mean heck, he's been an Officer for 23 years!!!  It's a bittersweet ending for sure.

No matter what the future holds, we know that this is God's plan for us and we know it's going to work out.  We've been able to look back and see where God's hand was in place and guiding us throughout this whole journey.  Steve's had a GREAT law enforcement career and has made many, many memories.  God has kept him safe throughout the past 23 years and has allowed him to make a difference in many people's lives.  It's been a good ride.

So off to Little Rock we go......