Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: INDEFATIGABLE (02/11/16)
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TITLE: Unsung Hero | Previous Challenge Entry
By Loni Bowden-Horn
02/18/16 -
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It should be me in the box. Why did Sergeant Benjamin risk his life to save mine?
Hot tears spilled down his face. Sergeant Cartier had promised himself he wouldn’t cry. He had been raised with the notion that it wasn’t manly to show any feelings.
One look at those black, steely eyes staring back at him from the photograph on the casket had unhinged his emotions like a flood gate. Remembrance of that fateful day came to him like a torrent of rain.
“Car 23, we have a GTA (Grand Theft Auto) in the vicinity of Broadway and Capital Avenue. Can you respond?
“10-4”
“Officers, please use extreme caution as the suspect is considered armed and dangerous.”
“Dispatch, we’re in hot pursuit of the vehicle in question.”
“Whoop-Whoop”
The blare of the siren wailed its distress call to oncoming traffic.
The reflective red and blue lights danced off the hood of the car and faded away into the steamy summer haze.
Sergeant Cartier noticed that the suspect was weaving dangerously in and out of traffic. As the car rounded the corner, the back end of the vehicle skidded out of control. Tires squealed as the engine throttled to speeds of over 90 miles an hour.
The auto careened out of control and landed in a ditch. The young man fled the scene on foot.
Officer Cartier and Benjamin chased down the suspect.
“Go get him, Benjamin.”
Sergeant Benjamin disappeared around the corner. Would he be able to apprehend the suspect?
Sergeant Cartier knew that Officer Benjamin took his job of protecting his partner to heart. He was the first to arrive at the academy and the last to leave. Just last week, he tracked down an elderly gentleman with Alzheimer who had gotten lost and wandered far from home. His true passion was hunting down criminals. He was unwavering in his drive to protect the public.
Officer Cartier watched Benjamin bound over the ruddy pathway in pursuit of the culprit. He was an indefatigable officer who was incapable of yielding to fatigue. He possessed the stamina of ten men. Sergeant Benjamin would be relentless in his pursuit of tracking down the assailant. He would get his man.
Ragged spurts of breath escaped from Officer Cartier’s lungs as he raced across the field toward the scuffle.
Sergeant Cartier’s mouth went agape as he came upon the scene. He noticed the assailant wielding a seven-inch hunting knife. The jagged-edge of the blade made of cold hard steel was plunged into Sergeant Benjamin’s chest over and over again.
Drop your weapon! Drop your weapon! Officer Cartier shouted.
The sound of gunshot echoed overhead.
Clutching his chest, the assailant slumped to the ground. Crimson blood congealed around the exit wound. Officer Cartier gagged at the putrid smell coming from the body. He felt the perpetrator’s wrist for a pulse but there wasn’t one. He was dead.
A lump formed in his throat as Sergeant Cartier bent over to pet Sergeant Benjamin, his faithful companion and best friend. The three-year old Belgian German Shepherd lay still. His fur was matted with blood and dirt.
Sergeant Cartier gently scooped up the dog and put him in the waiting ambulance. Sergeant Benjamin wagged his tail back and forth with every ounce he had left in him. He nuzzled his wet nose into Sergeant Cartier’s face and gave him one last slobbery kiss with his tongue.
He died in the waiting arms of his master.
Sergeant Benjamin paid the ultimate price by giving his life for another. In life and death, this canine demonstrated he was his master’s best friend.
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“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13
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*Note: This was based on the true story of Staff Sergeant Stark and Kye a K-9 in Oklahoma.
KOCO 5 News
www.littlethings.com/Kye-the K9-full-honors-funeral
wwwo.godvine.com
www.today.com/pets/police-log-buried-full-honors
www.biblegate.com
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Well written tale.
Well Done
I knew you had a winner with this story!