“No one else can walk with God for me.
No one else can be a husband for me.
No one else can be a Dad for me.
Everything else that I do, someone else can do.”
Crawford Loritts, Jr
I strive to make this the blueprint for who I am.
First, I am a Christian. I have given my life to Jesus and each day I try to follow him. Second, I am a husband to Cathy, my bride since 1995. Third, I am Dad to four great kids; Michael, Julia, Alexandra and Greg (actually step-Dad to half that group, but I don’t make that distinction). We have a blended family that is a testimony in itself to the restorative power of Christ. Fourth, I am a cop.
The job does not like to stay in fourth place, and it has topped the list at times. While it keeps fighting to move up the list, I am committed to keeping my priorities. This is the first among my priorities that Crawford Loritts reminds me, “someone else can do.” I try to remember that.
Aside from a paper route as a kid and working in a pizza joint during high school, being a cop is really all I have ever done. Some would tell you that means I have never had a real job. In 1988 I began a career as a police officer in a northern suburb of Chicago and am currently serving there as Deputy Chief of Field Operations. During this time I have had the privilege of attending Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command and the F.B.I. National Academy.
All this to let you know where my perspective is coming from. I will speak as a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband, a Dad and a cop who is trying to understand before asking to be understood.
Kevin Woodside
