THE BADGEPIX STORY

I’ve been in law enforcement for a long time. I’ve seen things that can’t be unseen. I’ve experienced things that went from bad to worse. I’ve had shifts where I was physically hurt, some where I was absolutely heartbroken, and some where I felt like I was the most hated person on earth just because I was a police officer. 

It messes with you, and it threatens to negatively change you forever.  

But I love the job—the excitement, my coworkers, and serving my community—so I continue to show up and work those 12-hour night shifts.

Law enforcement is a calling, and it can consume us if we let it. Sometimes we forget to take a few moments to reflect on what is truly important: being a police officer isn’t who we are. It’s what we do.

Who are we?

Mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, and many other things to the people who love us and need us to get home safe.

I am a mother. I printed a photo of my children and taped it to the back of my badge. I wanted to look at them before every shift when I pinned my badge on, pray, and ask God to grant me safe passage. I wanted to look at them again when I took my badge off and say a prayer of thanks and gratitude for an answered prayer.

I do this before and after every shift, and I wish I had been doing it from day one on the job.

So, enjoy looking at your loved ones on the back of your badge, and may they remind you to pray for protection, keep your head on a swivel, be diligent, GET HOME SAFE and remember WHO YOU ARE TO THEM vs. WHAT YOU DO FOR EVERYONE ELSE.

Godspeed,

Criswell

Texas DPS A-94 #70080

P.S.

Brothers and sisters in blue, be there for each other. Talk about things. Listen when a coworker needs to unload. Watch out for burnout. Take time off when you have it to burn. And create ways to enjoy your life outside of law enforcement.