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Burt 365 Days (Year 3) #216 06/04
I found Burt in my toolbox not to long ago.
He is a symbol of a car that no longer exists. A car that was important to a few people- me being one of them.
The 1994 Crown Victoria police car that once served as Burt's home was just one of 15 new patrol cars awaiting assignment that summer. It was unceremoniously named 8025 and for me became a special car right from the beginning.
On Saturday nights back then I drove a bus for a city sponsored group. In July of 1994 I had begun to date a woman who, on occasion, would accompany me on my weekly rides. The bus I drove didn't have air conditioning and by the end of those July nights we were pretty well soaked. After parking the bus one night she asked me, “What's with all of those brand new cars over there?” pointing at the 15 new patrol cars. I knew where we kept the keys so I picked one, jumped in, started it and cranked up the “AC”. The cool air was nice but the company was even nicer. Needless to say that car became special and I had made a mental note as to which one it was.
A few weeks later the cars were numbered and permanently assigned. One of the female officer's, who I had become friends with, came in and asked me which one was 8025?
“Oh, you got the make-out car!”
She looked at me with a combination of horror and amusement (I think) and I told her the story.
She was one of my favorite officers- driving my favorite car, so there were perks. 8025 for years was unquestionably the best maintained vehicle in the city. It didn't wait in line for anything. If there was a road call or she was going out of town and the car needed looking after, I was there.
One day in April of 1998 a flatbed tow truck came into the motorpool with 8025 riding up top. I walked over to it wondering what was wrong (and why I didn't get the call) when I realized that the drivers side of the car was almost nonexistent. 8025 took such a “T-bone” hit on the left front door that the drivers seat couldn't be seen.
My heart sank- where was she and how bad was she hurt.
All I could find out was another police car hit hers during a chase and she was taken to the hospital.
It's customary to remove personal items from a wreck and secure them until the officer can reclaim their stuff. I was in the process of crawling through her car when I noticed a car pull up. Her husband is also a cop and, just out of the hospital, the two of them had come by for a look at the damage. . Relieved to see her, I walked over and said: “Don't worry “Crash”, I can fix it!”
She was out for two months with a broken pelvis and came back to work on light duty. .
8025...was a total loss- or so everyone thought.
I made a deal with Cliff that if I could drive it to the body shop for an estimate, he would fix it.
A few days later, I fired up 8025 and ignored cliff's screams as I drove out of the motorpool. I had to straddle the center console and operate the brake and gas with my left foot (the door was where the drivers seat was supposed to be) but I made it. When I came back and gave him the estimate he laughed and said “Ya know if it was anyone else's car it would be so gone...OK, Lets fix it.”
A few weeks later 8025 came back to the motorpool good as new.
I kept it safe until she got off of light duty. I was so happy to give her that car back. She drove it for many years after that. Ultimately, she was assigned a newer car and 8025 went for auction. I remember saying to the winner that last day, “You are getting one special car.” I doubt he realized how special it truly was.
And Burt...
Burt I found under the seat the day I brought it to the body shop. It was her sons toy. One of those mementos that are kept as a reminder of the people who are important in your life.
I put Burt back in my toolbox...where he is safe.
Click here for this years 365 collection.
Burt 365 Days (Year 3) #216 06/04
I found Burt in my toolbox not to long ago.
He is a symbol of a car that no longer exists. A car that was important to a few people- me being one of them.
The 1994 Crown Victoria police car that once served as Burt's home was just one of 15 new patrol cars awaiting assignment that summer. It was unceremoniously named 8025 and for me became a special car right from the beginning.
On Saturday nights back then I drove a bus for a city sponsored group. In July of 1994 I had begun to date a woman who, on occasion, would accompany me on my weekly rides. The bus I drove didn't have air conditioning and by the end of those July nights we were pretty well soaked. After parking the bus one night she asked me, “What's with all of those brand new cars over there?” pointing at the 15 new patrol cars. I knew where we kept the keys so I picked one, jumped in, started it and cranked up the “AC”. The cool air was nice but the company was even nicer. Needless to say that car became special and I had made a mental note as to which one it was.
A few weeks later the cars were numbered and permanently assigned. One of the female officer's, who I had become friends with, came in and asked me which one was 8025?
“Oh, you got the make-out car!”
She looked at me with a combination of horror and amusement (I think) and I told her the story.
She was one of my favorite officers- driving my favorite car, so there were perks. 8025 for years was unquestionably the best maintained vehicle in the city. It didn't wait in line for anything. If there was a road call or she was going out of town and the car needed looking after, I was there.
One day in April of 1998 a flatbed tow truck came into the motorpool with 8025 riding up top. I walked over to it wondering what was wrong (and why I didn't get the call) when I realized that the drivers side of the car was almost nonexistent. 8025 took such a “T-bone” hit on the left front door that the drivers seat couldn't be seen.
My heart sank- where was she and how bad was she hurt.
All I could find out was another police car hit hers during a chase and she was taken to the hospital.
It's customary to remove personal items from a wreck and secure them until the officer can reclaim their stuff. I was in the process of crawling through her car when I noticed a car pull up. Her husband is also a cop and, just out of the hospital, the two of them had come by for a look at the damage. . Relieved to see her, I walked over and said: “Don't worry “Crash”, I can fix it!”
She was out for two months with a broken pelvis and came back to work on light duty. .
8025...was a total loss- or so everyone thought.
I made a deal with Cliff that if I could drive it to the body shop for an estimate, he would fix it.
A few days later, I fired up 8025 and ignored cliff's screams as I drove out of the motorpool. I had to straddle the center console and operate the brake and gas with my left foot (the door was where the drivers seat was supposed to be) but I made it. When I came back and gave him the estimate he laughed and said “Ya know if it was anyone else's car it would be so gone...OK, Lets fix it.”
A few weeks later 8025 came back to the motorpool good as new.
I kept it safe until she got off of light duty. I was so happy to give her that car back. She drove it for many years after that. Ultimately, she was assigned a newer car and 8025 went for auction. I remember saying to the winner that last day, “You are getting one special car.” I doubt he realized how special it truly was.
And Burt...
Burt I found under the seat the day I brought it to the body shop. It was her sons toy. One of those mementos that are kept as a reminder of the people who are important in your life.
I put Burt back in my toolbox...where he is safe.
Click here for this years 365 collection.