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Peter Duffy Wolf is a senior at Osbourn High School in Manassas Virginia. He plans to attend Elon College in North Carolina in the Fall and specialize in visual arts and journalism. His dream is to work behind the camera in some field of photojournalism, either in film or still photography. After you read Peter's essay you will see that he has the potential to do some great things.
As
I approached the store, I knew this was it - the big one.
I casually surveyed the interior and discovered that there was no
other soul around besides the clerk.
I could live on Easy Street after hitting this one place.
I took my time to make sure the security cameras would not
identify me. With
a yank from my pocket and the click of a hammer I was in control. I was so preoccupied with making sure that every cent was removed from the register and dumped into my bag, I must have missed the clerk pushing the button for the silent alarm. I was still mentally listening to the clinks of the fortune I was about to receive when, in a matter of seconds, I heard a voice behind me saying, "Drop the gun " I couldn’t go back to jail and give up all that free money, so without delay, I turned and fired. It took only one shot to bring him down, but I soon learned he had friends… I'd never had to draw my gun before. The criminals I've arrested were just as much a part of the community that I was protecting as my family is. I was patrolling my regular beat when I received the call. I had my badge at hand and in my toughest voice I yelled, "Drop the gun." When the bullet struck, I hit the floor with enough force to cause a tremor. As I lay on the linoleum I could see nothing but red, and only one thought remained in my mind: the conversation I had with my then-future wife about taking on the responsibility of joining the Virginia Police Force. We had discussed the worst-case scenario, but the protection of my community has always been top priority. My family would now have to experience the pain of my decision... "He
died in the line of duty. He left
behind a loving wife and child who I
did my best to convince him that something like this could happen, but he did
not fear. He once told me that he
would rather die in the line of duty than to go on another path,
realizing that he could have, but did not, make a difference.
Everything that the Chief said was true, but he failed to mention
how great a father and husband he was. He
used to wake up every morning telling me about how he planned to make a
difference that day. 'When he came
home after mentoring, he would describe how interested the students were in
the lesson. On Tuesdays and
Thursdays he would take our son to soccer practice where he in turn would coach. On Saturdays he made sure that he never missed a game,
and on Sundays he would take us to church with him, where he would pray
for God's help in protecting us and our neighbors.
Every day he would take the time to look upon what was given to
him and smile... My Mom is in tears. She is probably upset because Dad did not come home last night. It’s all right though. I know that he is safe. He is always helping someone. His boss is talking and I see he is sad. Why should he be sad? My Dad works for him. My Dad will come to cheer him up like he does for all of us. Dad has always taught me to be responsible and to help out in my community in any way that I can. He taught he to be nice to all people and to never lie. Dad tells me all the time how much life means to him. He is always happy when we go to the park and play on the swings. He tells me how he will never let anything bad happen to me. I know that Dad will protect Mom and me for the rest of our lives…
Peter Duffy Wolf |
