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Thanks to a steamy August afternoon, condensation coated the windows of the lobby at 1^st Precinct on Dauphin Island Parkway. The precinct cat lounged on the sidewalk near the door—not bothering to withdraw from a stranger in the heavy evening air.

Though it was the end of most people’s workday and week, the squad sergeant started roll call with “good morning” to the crew that was set to patrol the southeast portion of Mobile that Friday night. I wasn’t the only new face in the meeting. A rookie reporting to the precinct for the first time during his training rounds and I both gave brief introductions to the squad that was short several officers due to staffing and days off. Unknown to me beforehand, the fluctuation in on-duty personnel caused my assigned officer to be moved to Officer Purvis, who was a great host for the shift.

If there was a theme to the calls Officer Purvis was sent to the first half of the shift, it was crunchy automobile accidents. We were routed to the first of three collisions after half an hour of patrol. From Halls Mill Road to the Causeway to Airport Blvd, the accident victims were assisted by MPD, MFRD, and tow truck services at each site, with extra help from ALDOT at the causeway.

Between the first two accidents, Officer Purvis supported another officer at a home near Dog River that reported a known subject had driven by their house, pointing a gun at it. While the officers were talking to the woman, two young children jumped and climbed around the small porch, vying for their mother’s attention. While the other officer was gathering information, Officer Purvis allowed the children to choose a stuffed animal from the bag he keeps in the cargo area of his Tahoe. The contrast between the bleak circumstances of the officers being at the location and the sounds of delight from the children caused me to suppress tears.

It’s important to remember there are people in our city that live under daily threats—both within the household and from the outside. Realizing that many of those homes include children is doubly concerning. One small way citizens can help is by watching the Mobile Police Department’s Facebook page for information about stuffed animal/teddy bear  collections throughout the year including the “Stuff the Car” event. The collected animals are distributed to officers throughout the city to share with children while on calls like these. Can a teddy bear save a life? Not literally, but they can bring a moment of joy and peace during stressful times.

The hours after midnight were spent patrolling. More often than not, Officer Purvis acted as the lead or backing unit with Officer Powell and a rookie. There were traffic stops, multiple false alarm triggers from a convenience store (false alarm tickets were issued, as has been noted in previous articles), checking with a man who was lying on the sidewalk of a shopping center, and more. Calls from dispatch and automobile traffic didn’t slow until four in the morning.

When we returned to the precinct, the resident cat was perkier than the evening before, scampering towards the Dollar General rather than allowing me to approach.

The gathering of officers at the close of their day typically includes rehashing excitements and disappointments, and that break-of-dawn meeting was no exception. From 18-wheeler chases to ongoing accidents, the squad members were there for each other. After a timely safety reminder, the sergeant dismissed them with “see you this afternoon,” a humbling reminder that everyone on the squad would be reporting in just under twelve hours to do it all again.