First encounter with finding a corpse

I've learned that Saturday mornings were only good for working funerals and finding deceased people.

I can remember my wife telling me during the course of a discussion about the eventuality of finding a corpse or dealing with a fatality accident, that because I was part time that the odds were slim that I would have to deal with it. She was wrong.

Two weeks later we get a call at the police station by concerned family members about their missing father. He had a set routine and seldom deviated from it. This morning he had been seen going for a walk but no one recalled seeing him return home.

One thing led to another and ultimately the decision was made to make entry into the residence with the family's permission. I should note that the elderly gentleman was known to be somewhat mentally unstable and had a history of brandishing weapons.

Being the young fit rookie that I was, I volunteered to go through the unlocked window. I had opened my expandable baton and handed it to the Officer helping me up through the window. The moment I had stability he put the baton back into my hand.

I turned quickly in case the gentleman was in the room. I was right. He was in the room. Sitting in his chair like he was just watching TV. Eyes and mouth open, head straight up and I new in a second that he was dead. The look on his face burned itself into my memory. It was not dramatic in the Hollywood since and it didn't involve violence. It was sort of surreal. His family was waiting outside and I had to indicate to the officers his condition. They in turn advised the family. For days when I closed my eyes I saw his face.

I've since been involved in the finding of many bodies and have dealt with fatalities of differing natures. The only other one that stuck to me stronger then the first involved a 7 year old boy whom was run over by a tow truck. I watched him fighting for life and learned that he lost the fight en route to the hospital. Several of us had trouble with that one.

I've never had to do a notification and I hope I never have to. Certainly it's an eventuality but I can hope.

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