From Jackie Metcalf, who thought seriously about joining the
police force:
Cop on the Take
First he takes ... the oath.
Now look at what else he takes:
He takes ... it in stride when people call him a pig.
He takes ... his lousy pay check realizing he'll never be rich.
He takes .... a second job sometimes to make ends meet and support his family.
He takes ... time to stop and talk to the children.
He takes ... your verbal abuse while giving you a ticket you really deserved.
He takes ... on creeps you would be afraid to even look at.
He takes ... time away from his family to keep you safe.
He takes ... your injured child to the hospital.
He takes ... the graveyard shift without complaint because its his turn.
He takes ... his life into his hands daily.
He takes ... you home when your car breaks down.
He takes ... time to explain why both your headlights have to work
He takes ... the job no one wants -- telling you a loved one has died.
He takes ... criminals to jail.
He takes ... in sights that would make you cry. Sometimes he cries too, but he takes it anyways because someone has to.
He takes ... memories to bed each night you couldn't bear for even one day.
He takes ... time to explain to his family why he can't make the ball game his child is in and why he has to work on the holiday when other parents are off.
Sometimes ... he takes a bullet
And yes, occasionally ... he may take a free cup of coffee.
If he is lucky ... he takes his retirement.
Then one day he pays for all he has taken .. and hopefully ... God takes him.