End Of Watch: Officer Garrett Hull, Fort Worth Police - September 14, 2018

The latest Texas Peace Officer to give his life in the line of duty is Officer Garrett Hull, Forth Worth PD.

Officer Garrett and his colleagues, members of the Criminal Intelligence Unit, had developed information leading to the identification of three subjects who, as a team, had robbed several bars and other businesses over the past few weeks.

On September 13, 2018 the CI Unit were engaged in surveillance of the three men when they committed a robbery in a local bar.  The CI Unit approached the bar as the men fled, and a foot pursuit began.  During the pursuit one of the subjects fired at pursing officers, the bullet striking Officer Garrett in the head.  In the exchange of gunfire that followed, the robber was killed.

Officer Garrett was rushed to a nearby hospital, where medical staff worked through the night and into the following day to save the wounded officer, while many of his colleagues gathered in the hallways and the waiting room to stand vigil.  Unfortunately Officer Garrett died from his injuries the following afternoon.

Officer Garrett left behind his wife, two daughters, his family, and his colleagues at the Forth Worth Police Department.  The officer had served seventeen years as a police officer.  I am proud to honor Officer Garrett here, but saddened at the event that gives rise to this memorial.

I pray for the Good Shepherd's comforting arms for this officers loved ones and friends, and for the safety of all peace officers across the nation and the world.

Meerkats, or The Wonders Of "Autocorrect"

It has been said (by someone) that we learn something new every day.  Well, here is one thing I learned today.

It turns out that if you write a text while still in bed, very groggy from just waking up, and not wearing glasses because they just fell off the nightstand and to the floor, and you misspell the word "meetings" so that the the typo is "meerings" (the "r" IS right beside "t," in my defense) autocorrect saves the day by correcting "meerings" for you.

Here is an actual text message exchange between my lovely bride and me just after noon today:

Bride (all wide awake at work): Want to take me to lunch? Sleeping still?

Me (very groggy from just waking up, and not wearing glasses because they just fell off the night stand): I am awake. I need to just wet my head and dress. Do you have meerkats at 1:00? If not, I will get dressed and be right there.

(Long pause, audible even in the text world, then finally)

Bride: Meerkats?

(Second long pause, audible even in the text world, followed by the realization that I had misspelled "meetings" but, once again, autocorrect SAVED THE DAY...or at least the message)

Me (now sheepishly picking up my glasses):Oh, I think that must be an autocorrect, I was typing "meetings." That is pretty funny.

Bride: I was thinking you still had to be asleep.

Me: And no glasses!

Bride: Ha ha ha (she laughed, sure, but possibly called the local sheriff's mental health task force as well)

So I learned today that if one types "meerings" instead of "meetings" the autocorrect will default to "meerkats."                       

As I pondered this new factoid, I also put on my running shoes and tied them tightly, just in case the Midland County Mental Health deputies REALLY ARE on the way to my house! I am thinking this would be a great time to go to Wally World.