Another change 'round here

All summer long you have heard me go on about my job change. But I have yet to mention that Bob is also changing jobs. As most of you faithful readers know, he is a policeman in the city of Crestwood, a small suburb of St. Louis. He was hired as a dispatcher for them about 8 years ago and then they paid for him to go through the police academy and he has been on the road for 7 years now. Like most areas now, Crestwood is in a recession. Made all the more worse for them by the decline of the mall that has anchored the town and brought in the most revenue for the last 30 years. The mall was recently sold and big changes are in the works but it will take at least 2 years to see them come to fruition. That, coupled with Crestwood's aging population has also meant that although Crestwood has the lowest property tax in St. Louis County, they can't pass a tax increase. So needless to say although the salary has been adequate, no raises, not even cost of living raises have been given in 3 years. For the last year and half several long time, good officers, have left Crestwood for police work elsewhere. So we knew it was time to make a change. the question was where?

Well, Bob has accepted a position with the Kirkwood police department and will start on August 18th. Those of you familiar with Kirkwood know that it is actually right next to Crestwood, much larger and with several strip malls and large stores to help the tax base. However, Kirkwood has also been the scene of several incidents of violence against police officers. In the last 3 years, 3 officers have been killed in the line of duty. Two were killed just last February. So needless to say, we are all a bit apprehensive about this change. There is a much needed salary increase but with it comes more risk.

I am including links to articles about the two separate shootings that claimed the lives of three veteran Kirkwood officers. Sgt. Bill McEntee was killed July 5, 2005. Then last February, Sgt William Biggs, Officer Tom Ballman and several other Kirkwood city officials were gunned down at a City Council Meeting.

I ask that you keep Bob in your prayers as he begins this new chapter in his career and that you also keep the families of the three, brave, officers lost in the line of duty in your thoughts and prayers also.