What Goes Around...

Greetings Readers.
I realize I may be beating a dead horse here, but Karma has once again shown itself and I think its worth mentioning.

A little over a year ago I worked for a Sheriffs Office in a small midwestern town. The agency employed 20 full time deputies, staff, and a handful of reserve deputies.

I loved my job there. The agency had its quirks as most do, and not everyone got along, but the work was rewarding.

I believed in the spirit of the law and tried hard to live according to the code of ethics. My performance record reflected professionalism, dedication, competence, and loyalty.

On many occasions I was aware that the administration ignored or changed its own policies to favor or protect employees that behaved in manners unbecoming of the law enforcement profession. I attributed this to a few factors. Not the least of which was that the "Good old boy" system was prevalent there. One significant incident occurred that effected me personally and profoundly. To such a degree that I felt I had to make a stand against the administration. My intention was just, but I'll admit that execution was sloppy.

The administration went after me hard and that was pretty much the end for me there. My coworkers were told that was not to be spoken to. My supervisor watched idly by as my reputation was trashed and said nothing in my defense. My friends in the agency (for their own survival) turned their backs and did nothing.

Long story short, I was allowed to resign. I moved. Life goes on.

I recently spoke with an old friend and colleague there who told me that in recent months there had been quite a shakeup within the agency. Most relative to this posting, my old supervisor was involved in an incident that in spite of his extensive law enforcement knowledge and obvious competence, cost him his career.

Like me, he was allowed to resign. But ultimately, with no support from agency friends or staff he faced the fact that it was a fight he could not win.

I have to wonder now if I crossed his mind when doors were being shut in his face. Was he struck by a sense of irony when his supervisor failed to fight for him?

I am not gloating. I believe in my heart that the department lost one of its most knowledgeable and proficient leaders. Regardless of his character flaws I acknowledge his ability.

Being thrown under the bus is no fun. The view sucks. And like the old saying goes...

Karma is a bitch.

Until next time...thanks for reading.