It's Tough Being the "Bad Guy"
May 5, 2010
Trooper Scott Devereaux h
as worked in many different areas of law enforcement since 1987 and has served as an Iowa State Trooper for the last four years. After we gave a presentation at Faith Lutheran Church in Palmer, IA, Scott came up to us and expressed his appreciation for what we are doing through this ministry.
Scott is a committed Christian and loves his job. "It's not just a job, it's a calling", he shared. During his years working in law enforcement he has seen and experienced a lot, involving many situations where children have witnessed him arresting one or both of their parents. With emotion welled up in his eyes, he talked about some of those heart-breaking experiences. "I had pulled over a man on the highway. The man's 11-year-old daughter was along with him. As I approached the man in the car, it became immediately apparent the dad was under the influence of alcohol. As soon as I brought the man back to my car, the daughter got out of the car and it was obvious she had been crying. She refused to go back to their car. I asked the dad to instruct her to return to their car but she still refused. The situation quickly escalated when the dad began to fight me. As I wrestled him to the ground to arrest him, his daughter jumped on my back screaming at me not to take her dad away."
Scott went on to say, "It's tough being the bad guy in front of these children. They are always going to remember me as the one who took their parent away.
Unfortunately this story is not an isolated incident. We have heard many accounts of children witnessing the arrest of their parent. In fact, research indicates that 60 percent of children of prisoners have experienced this trauma.
In stressing the importance of the role Bridge Builders for Kids is taking in reaching out to these kids, Scott shared, "I have been in law enforcement long enough now that I am arresting the sons and daughters of people that I have arrested before. If you don't get to these kids, I'm going to have to deal with them later, as it's tough for these kids to come out of it alone."
as worked in many different areas of law enforcement since 1987 and has served as an Iowa State Trooper for the last four years. After we gave a presentation at Faith Lutheran Church in Palmer, IA, Scott came up to us and expressed his appreciation for what we are doing through this ministry. Scott is a committed Christian and loves his job. "It's not just a job, it's a calling", he shared. During his years working in law enforcement he has seen and experienced a lot, involving many situations where children have witnessed him arresting one or both of their parents. With emotion welled up in his eyes, he talked about some of those heart-breaking experiences. "I had pulled over a man on the highway. The man's 11-year-old daughter was along with him. As I approached the man in the car, it became immediately apparent the dad was under the influence of alcohol. As soon as I brought the man back to my car, the daughter got out of the car and it was obvious she had been crying. She refused to go back to their car. I asked the dad to instruct her to return to their car but she still refused. The situation quickly escalated when the dad began to fight me. As I wrestled him to the ground to arrest him, his daughter jumped on my back screaming at me not to take her dad away."
Scott went on to say, "It's tough being the bad guy in front of these children. They are always going to remember me as the one who took their parent away.
Unfortunately this story is not an isolated incident. We have heard many accounts of children witnessing the arrest of their parent. In fact, research indicates that 60 percent of children of prisoners have experienced this trauma.
In stressing the importance of the role Bridge Builders for Kids is taking in reaching out to these kids, Scott shared, "I have been in law enforcement long enough now that I am arresting the sons and daughters of people that I have arrested before. If you don't get to these kids, I'm going to have to deal with them later, as it's tough for these kids to come out of it alone."
Related Articles · More Articles
As I've been praying and seeking God's direction for this ministry, I've been drawn to the book of Joshua, especially the first few chapters where God was preparing the Israelites to cross the Jordan into the Promised Land. In Joshua 3:3, God told Joshua, "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it." What I heard God say in that verse is...
The fresh smell of being up north, the sun setting over a glass covered lake, a warm crackling camp fire...the external setting couldn't have been more perfect for God to do make an eternal impact in the lives of the children of prisoners attending LIFE Camp. Gathered around the campfire, it didn't...
Many of you have been asking how BBFK has been doing in these tough economic times. Not having received a spring newsletter may have left you wondering! As many of you are aware, we lost some major funding from some foundations last year due to our Christian stance. As a ministry...