Page 12 - Police World Edition 4, 2013

Article
12 Police World Vol 58 No.4 2013
What a Star
Orlando, “most visited US
destination” according to a
tourism website and July, one of
the busiest times of the year. These factors
meant that along with my last minute trip
planning I was understandably going to
struggle arranging an IPA visit during our
holiday in the area. I was hoping to arrange
ride-along, an Independence Day
celebration and possible trips to a shooting
range to indulge in my favourite pastime.
Bud Lathrop, UK liaison offer in the US, said
he would pass the request on but owing to
short notice it might be difficult.
I was amazed when I received a response
from Region 45. Member Larry McCormick
stepped forward and not only offered to
arrange a ride-along and range visit but also
invited us to stay with him at his ‘condo’ on
Merritt Island - situated in Florida’s Space
coast and home to the Kennedy Space
Centre.
Come the first week of July, my girlfriend
Emily Hughes (Em) and I travelled to Florida
and met Larry, a retired New York State
trooper, and his partner Anne. Larry’s home
is filled with decades of memories from both
his time as a trooper and his on-going
involvement with the IPA. Letters of thanks,
pictures, police patches from all over the
world and other memorabilia adorn almost
every wall within his home. The collection
was impressive on its own and Larry’s own
memories and stories, of his experiences,
made it much more special.
On one of the first days of our visit, Larry
took us to the East Precinct of the Brevard
County Sheriff’s Office where Em and I met
deputy Don Eri and deputy Jenny Rivera who
were kind enough to take us out on patrol
for part of their shift. We accompanied the
deputies in general patrols where we got a
feel for the area and most common
problems faced by our colleagues. During
those patrols we attended a report of a
missing teenager who, after falling out with
his older sister, had run away and who had
allegedly been missing for just over an hour.
He was found safe and well when local boat
owners saw him hiding from the Sheriff’s
helicopter after he had been swimming in a
nearby waterway. A fine example of how
misleading people can be, intentionally or
otherwise, when reporting the
circumstances about their missing loved
ones. Don and Jenny also took the time to
share with us the most important thing for
police officers anywhere to know…. the best
local places to get breakfast!
A few days later and our host had managed
to organise something above and beyond
anything we had asked for - a helicopter trip
in one of the Sheriff Department’s
aircraft. From Merritt Island airport we
were flown around the area, taking in
spectacular aerial views of Port
Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, and a distant
view of Kennedy Space Centre’s
impressive vehicle assembly building.
We were unable to properly thank our
pilot for the ride as moments after we
touched down, the helicopter was
dispatched to assist with a live incident.
We celebrated Em’s birthday, which
happens to fall on Independence Day, at
Sea World’s Discovery Cove swimming
with dolphins before going on to watch
the massive fireworks display held at
Sea World in the evening.
Our eternal thanks go to Larry who
personifies everything the IPA stands
for. It was thanks to his generosity,
kindness and companionship that
facilitated our fantastic visit to Florida. It
is my hope to be able to return the good
turn to him in the future.
Phil Rosier
Two Hertfordshire branch members Phil Rosier and Emily Hughes
were keen to travel to the USA - partly to celebrate a birthday.
Could the IPA assist? You bet!
Emily at the controls
Phil with Jenny Rivera and Don Eri
Emily prepares for the ride-along
Jenny Rivera and Emily
Phil, Emily and Larry