Barbara Retires
LAPD: Officer II Barbara Carranza, Club Member, retired July 1 after a 34-year career serving the City.
Congratulations on your excellent career, Barbara, and enjoy your retirement.
Barbara wrote the following reflection as her sworn service ends:
A THANK YOU FROM
RETIRING POLICE OFFICER
BARBARA L. CARRANZA #25695
I want to start by thanking God for the blessed life and career He has given me. Yes, I said career because it was that to me, not just a job. You get from this career what you put into it. I’m glad I watched “The Burning Bed” that one time, when I was deciding whether to go the CHP route or the LAPD route; it helped me decide. My career didn’t go as I had originally planned but you know what they say, “tell God your plans.” I guess He had other things in mind for me. It’s been a great ride.
I am so thankful for my mom and dad and the way they raised me. They taught me to be strong physically and mentally and to never give up and never quit, no matter what! For the work ethic they gave me and for teaching me to give everything I do, my best! I am truly blessed to have both of them still with me. I thank my family and friends for the sacrifices they made and for their support from the beginning to the very end. I thank my family for putting up with the strange hours that I had, at times, and missing some holiday family gatherings. I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive group of family and friends.
Although you all deserve a special mention I have to give one to Mikey Schwehr #20651, who was with me as a reserve instructor, in the Reserve Academy, Class 4-85R. I had the privilege to work with him at Detective Headquarters Division where he helped me better myself. I continue to know him past his retirement and now into mine. Mikey, you’ve been there with me from the beginning of my reserve time and still now, as a very close friend, more like family. I also consider all of you a part of my extended family. All of you that I’ve crossed paths with, I hope I’ve helped you. Thank you for being a special part of my life and a special part of my career. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!
I’m thankful for my classmates (12-87) and those who went before me in this Department, for showing me the way. I’ve learned from many and I am thankful for that. I am always sad for the families of those we’ve lost through the years. I ask God to keep them strong and help them through the tough times.
For my Supervisors, Captains, and above, I know I didn’t always make it easy for you; many times you had your hands full. I do thank you for tolerating and teaching me and, yes, for the discipline because I do believe I’m a better person for it, and I thank you. Thank you for being upfront with me. Regardless of how it felt, it did help. Thank you for letting me go all out at work like I love to do. Also, for having the confidence that I’ll do my job correctly, no matter what it was or how much it was. I hope I didn’t complain too much.
Thank you to the civilians who have helped me throughout my career and assignments. Thank you for making me look so good with your help, doing the extra work so that I could get my work done. Officers, the civilians are very willing to help you, just ask them. They have a lot to offer and a lot of knowledge to share.
I also thank the Protective League for allowing me to serve the membership and the other delegates for more than 32 years. Directors and defense representatives, thank you for always having my back, for getting me the best that you could (benefits), for being straightforward with me, and for having my best interest at heart.
I thank all the men and women on the front line for keeping our Department number one in my book! For the younger Officers, you are going to go through some of the worst times any of us have ever seen in this Department. The public will scrutinize you in every way. Hang in there and know you are supported by so many of us, sworn and civilian. Dear Lord, please watch over my brothers and sisters in blue and keep them safe. Watch each other’s backs! Keep each other safe! Don’t stab each other in the back to get ahead!
God bless us all!
If there is ever anything I can do for you don’t hesitate to contact me: bulldogblc@yahoo.com.
