NATIONAL PEACE OFFICER'S MEMORIAL DAY / WEEK

POLICE WEEK

In 1962 National Police Week was established by a joint resolution of Congress.  And May 15 was designated as National Peace Officers Memorial day.  Both were dedicated to honoring America’s law enforcement community.  I wish to dedicate this essay to honor a true ‘officer of the peace.’

I write this memorial today in honor of a dear friend of mine—a policeman—a good man—a family man,  who died a little over a week ago.  He was not one of the over 20,000 law enforcement officers who have died in the line-of-duty since records have been kept in this country, but he like many other officers came close.  He died of the effects of a dread neurological disease that after early service with the Palo Alto Police Department in California and then 5 ½ years with the California Highway Patrol claimed first his coordination then his life.   He was forced to retire because of the onset of this disability.  But for the best part of his life he put his life on the line many times as a law enforcement officer a protector of the peace for the rest of us.

 

Let me tell you a little about my friend, Officer Harold Bartlett, California Highway Patrol officer, badge # 4538.

Harold was an all-American boy who grew up on the central coast and San Joaquin valley of California.  Active in sports and music and with many part-time jobs during his youth,  following high school he married his sweetheart and at age 22 applied for a job with the Palo Alto Police Department.  From a pool of 256 applicants he was one of two chosen.  Initially he walked evening foot-beats, and then bicycle beats after mid-night, and later regular motorcycle assignments.  After 6 months of service he was assigned a car beat.  Among many interesting encounters with law- breakers he had several in which his own life was put in jeopardy.

Because the pay from the P.A.P.D. was so poor and his young wife pregnant and bills piling up Harold found a part-time job at the Emporium department store during the 31 days of Christmas season as a Santa Claus.  He worked there from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., then the graveyard shift at the police department from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.  “I got pretty skinny and was tired all the time, but when [his first daughter] was born all the doctor and hospital bills were paid.” Almost all other officers of the department held second jobs as well.

Now here is what I really want you to know about this man.  Harold left the P.A.P.D. because of the repeated actions of a couple of officers—including at least one high in authority who did not display the integrity that should be expected of one in such a profession.  After one particularly egregious situation Harold wrote in his memoirs, “That incident plus several others started me thinking I wanted to complete my police career with a more honorable organization.  It also pointed out the need to make and keep copies in my personal file at home of all memos, all reports of a controversial nature, to record all the pertinent facts and dates and information that might be needed in your defense later.  This is what happens when you lose confidence and respect for the honor and integrity of those in authority over you from the Mayor and Chief on down.”

After about four years with the Palo Alto Police Department Harold made at least two very important decisions and life-style changes that would color the rest of his life.  He and his wife joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he made application to the California Highway Patrol to which he was accepted.

He had heard of and personally observed the competency and high standards expected of officers representing the California Highway Patrol and wanted to be a part of it.  “The [C.H.P.] Academy reportedly was the finest in the world.  We got people from police agencies from all over the world who went thru our training shoulder to shoulder with us and then after graduation would return to their own country to accept a ranking police post.”  “Your badge and I.D. number on the badge meant a lot of pride, honor, integrity and self-discipline to you.  That number was only issued once and you took a lot of personal pride in wanting it to shine, and stand for something honorable, righteous, and good.”

As he told his stories of police action in the two departments you came to know that the majority of officers, like him, took their work very seriously and were honorable in a dangerous profession.  A few, however didn’t and brought disgrace and dishonor by association to their colleagues.  Though he had been beat up a few times and had his teeth knocked out by an assailant, this good man would have continued as a stellar representative of a noble profession.  Others believed so also.  In his last year at the C.H.P. Harold Bartlett was named Officer of the Year out of the Modesto, California office.

As a last word, the daily verbal abuses, excuses, and disrespect, not to mention the physical danger and public scrutiny to which a peace officer is subjected take a toll on the men and women in ‘blue’ who do their best to protect and preserve the rest of us.  Let’s cut them a little slack in the daily tension they absorb for us.