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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Police Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
LT Gerald L Hawley (Ret) (1986-2008)
Omaha Police Department
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO MAKE A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?
 I was taking undergraduate courses in criminal justice at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Dr. Samuel Walker was teaching several police related courses that were very interesting. I knew that I wanted to make a difference in my community and the autonomy of a law enforcement career seemed very appealing. I graduated from U.N.O. and began applying with different departments.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR CAREER PATH AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?
In 1981, I began a career with the Pottawattamie County, Iowa Sheriff's Office working as a corrections specialist. In 1982, I was hired as a police officer with the Council Bluffs, Iowa Police Department where I worked for approx. 2 years. In 1984, I applied and was hired by the Dallas, Texas  police department. I decided to return to Omaha during the 6th week of the training academy for family reasons. In 1984, I returned to Omaha and was hired by the Omaha Correctional Center as a Corrections Officer where I worked for approximately 1 year. In 1985, I had left the Omaha Correctional Center and was hired by the city of Omaha as a Detention Technician in the jail for approximately 3 months. In 1985, I was hired by the Sarpy County, Nebraska Sheriff's Office as a road Patrol Deputy. In 1986, I was hired by the Omaha Police Department, promoted to Sergeant in 1998, and Lieutenant in 2004.
I retired after 22 1/2 years in 2008. I was hired as a Omaha Police School Resource Officer in 2008 where I'm still currently employed.
DID YOU SERVE IN THE MILITARY PRIOR? AND IF SO, IN WHAT BRANCH OF SERVICE? IN WHAT WAYS HAS MILITARY SERVICE INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?
No prior military service - I always think back about the crossroads in my life and often have wondered what it would be like to be a United States Marine.
WHICH, OF THE AGENCIES OR DEPARTMENTS YOU WERE ASSIGNED TO, DO YOU HAVE THE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY?
The Council Bluffs Police Department was the first law enforcement agency that I had the privilege of working for approximately (2) years. These were some of the best memories that I have held over the years thanks to the tremendous people who protect and serve this city. I received city  training at the Council Bluffs academy from Sgt. Gary Zimmerman and his civilian assistant Maurice Matthews who was an instructor at Metropolitan Community College. I then went to the State of Iowa Academy in Camp Dodge, just outside of Des Moines. The training was outstanding and would prepare myself well for the future.
I learned so much about law enforcement during these 2 years that convinced myself I loved being a police officer and I enjoyed every second I put on the uniform. My Field Training Officers after the academy were Jerry Mann, Donna Gray, and John Matlock. My first crew consisted of the West Sector of Council Bluffs: Jerry Mann, Donna Gray, Richard Stehly, Robert Lehr, and Alvin Edmunds.
The camaraderie among the approximately 100 officers on the department always impressed me and still does to this day. Many of these fine officers would also make the transition to the Omaha Police Department primarily due to a larger department with increased opportunities of different assignments/promotions and the salary / benefit differences.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR INCIDENT HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Approximately (3) months into being promoted as an Omaha sergeant, I was involved with a deadly force situation, along with (4) other officers, involving a pursuit of a vehicle that ended at 13th & "U" St. A person identified as Tracy Pollock, a.k.a. "Cowboy", age 43 at the time of the incident, was thought to have been involved in a disturbance at the Rinky Dink Tavern and left the parking lot without any headlights. A cruiser officer attempted to stop him, however, he lead officers on a high speed chase through South Omaha. The helicopter unit also became involved. I was monitoring the pursuit in the South Omaha police station, then located at 24th & "O" St. I left the station driving the cruiser that was heading toward 13th & Missouri Ave. As Pollock's vehicle was surrounded by cruisers in the intersection of 13th & "U" St., Pollock began ramming officer Tim Rhoades cruiser in an effort to flee. I approached from 13th St. and arrived directly behind officer Warren Walter's police cruiser.
Officer Walter began approaching the driver's door of Pollock's vehicle and yelled, "gun, he's got a gun." I was at the right rear of Pollock's vehicle at this time. Pollock exited the driver's door and began firing back at officers. A bullet struck the passenger front windshield of Walter's vehicle. Shots were exchanged as Pollock ran southbound while shooting at officers. Pollock was then hit by several officers' rounds. This incident had the biggest impact on me as this was my first deadly force experience that relied entirely on police training.
OF THE MEDALS, AWARDS OR BADGES YOU RECEIVED, WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
 The most meaningful badge that I received was when I was promoted to sergeant in 1998. I had studied and prepared extensively for the exam and in-basket assessment center. I had (12) years with the Omaha Police Department and I was ready to be a supervisor. I was proud to have my parents, spouse, and siblings attending the ceremony at Central Police Headquarters. Acting Omaha Police Chief Charlie Circo, a person I highly respected, presented the sergeant's badge which was pinned in place by my wife Theresa. This was a very memorable experience I will always remember with family, brother and sister officers, and friends attending. I attribute and give thanks to my late parents Glenn and Rose Hawley for everything that I have been able to achieve in life.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR CAREER MADE THE MOST POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON YOU AND WHY?
I remember preparing for the sergeant's exam with a fellow officer named Adam Kyle. Officer Kyle was a very energetic and enthusiastic officer who was very assertive in his police work. Officer Kyle was always positive and encouraging with fellow officers. I remember not feeling good about my first day's performance at the sergeant assessment center testing. I was actually contemplating not coming back for the second day of testing, but Kyle was the person who convinced me not to give up and come back strong on the second day. I took his advice and thanks to his encouragement finished respectfully on the sergeant's promotional list. If it had not been for Kyle, now an Omaha Police Captain, I probably would not have finished the testing and wouldn't have been promoted in my career.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR CAREER THAT WAS FUNNY AT THE TIME AND STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
I was working uniform patrol as an officer and was dispatched to a south Omaha residence to "make an investigation," referring to a deceased person. I remember arriving and meeting with  the family and learning that the victim was a middle aged female with health related issues. I remember trying to comfort the family that was present at the residence during this time. After obtaining all the information from the family, I contacted the Douglas County Coroner by phone and was given permission to release the body to the mortuary of the family's choice. I remember thinking as the mortuary sent only (1) person to retrieve the victim, "how is this person going to lift this body as the victim was of a large physical size. I offered to assist this person in lifting the victim's body onto the gurney for transportation. I held onto the victim's legs as the mortuary person took a hold of the upper body.
Suddenly as we began lifting the victim's body, the left leg became detached. I was completely in shock I had not been made aware by the family that the victim as actually an amputee.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNED AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER?
 I consider the most important lesson as a Law Enforcement Officer is to exercise "patience with communicating with citizens, fellow officers, and even command officers." As all Police Officers have come to realize, people will test your patience beyond limits on a regular basis. I consider myself fortunate that I have been able to restrain myself and I have reasonably resolved countless challenging situations.
Maintaining your emotional control in adverse situations is a skill that I believe will prevent officers from "letting your emotions over-ride your better sense of judgment."
WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIP(S)?
I was a member of the Omaha Police Welfare Association, Omaha Police Union, and Fraternal Order of Police. The benefit of belonging to the Welfare Association was that the money that funded this organization went to help police families that were in desperate need of financial assistance due to an unexpected crisis situation. Ironically, upon retirement officers were  issued $2,000 checks depending on their length of service and membership for helping with this organization. The Police Union is the recognized bargaining unit for the Omaha Police Department during contract negotiations. Also, being a member with the Union affords attorney representation in times of need. The Fraternal Order of Police provides financial assistance to athletic police events by members that I have also used. All of these organizations have contributed in donating to different community organizations that rely on assistance for survival. Even though I'm currently retired, I'm remain an active member in the Fraternal Order of Police.
HOW HAS SERVING AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU CONDUCT YOUR PERSONAL LIFE AND YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE DEPARTMENT?
 There is no question that having been a police officer for over a quarter of a century has caused me to be more suspicious and sceptical toward people in my personal life. I have become much more aware of my surroundings at all times regardless of the location such as in restaurants, shopping centers, movie theaters, etc. I always like to be aware of the entrances and exits to these venues in case of an emergency. I wouldn't have considered myself naive in nature prior to becoming a police officer, but I had no idea of the magnitude of "evil" that certain persons in our society are capable of perpetrating on other persons. I have become considerably more of a "people watcher" due to knowing from experience how many undetected "walking time-bombs" there actually are within our communities.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR A ROOKIE WHO HAS JUST PUT ON THE BADGE?
 I would tell a Rookie a quote from my wife Theresa, "life is a journey and not a destination." Enjoy your time everyday as if it were your last because no one ever knows when the time will come. Realize that you are human and your are going to make mistakes, but learn from these mistakes and make yourself better from these learning experiences. Take time for your family and don't let the job overshadow your relationships. Being a Policeman is a "career" and not just a "job," but you have to keep your relationships with your family strong as they will be with you in the time of need. Don't allow the adverse and often very disturbing encounters that you will face as a police officer affect how you treat your loved ones at home.
IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU FEEL THIS WEBSITE CAN BENEFIT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY?
Together We Served is an awesome website because it allows Officers from around the entire country to reach out to one another and share all different types of experiences that they have had as Law Enforcement Officers. It also allows Officers an opportunity to reflect on their own experiences on a permanent record to share with others on their legacy of service to our communities. I have viewed other profiles from police professionals around the country and have been thoroughly impressed in reading all of the variations and similarities that we have with one another. There is a wealth of knowledge being submitted in these Reflections which we can all tap into and be proud that we are a profession that indeed exists to "protect and serve" our communities.
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police department. I decided to return to Omaha during the 6th week of the training academy for family reasons. In 1984, I returned to Omaha and was hired by the Omaha Correctional Center as a Corrections Officer where I worked for approximately 1 year. In 1985, I had left the Omaha Correctional Center and was hired by the city of Omaha as a Detention Technician in the jail for approximately 3 months. In 1985, I was hired by the Sarpy County, Nebraska Sheriff's Office as a road Patrol Deputy. In 1986, I was hired by the Omaha Police Department, promoted to Sergeant in 1998, and Lieutenant in 2004. 
training at the Council Bluffs academy from Sgt. Gary Zimmerman and his civilian assistant Maurice Matthews who was an instructor at Metropolitan Community College. I then went to the State of Iowa Academy in Camp Dodge, just outside of Des Moines. The training was outstanding and would prepare myself well for the future.
the family and learning that the victim was a middle aged female with health related issues. I remember trying to comfort the family that was present at the residence during this time. After obtaining all the information from the family, I contacted the Douglas County Coroner by phone and was given permission to release the body to the mortuary of the family's choice. I remember thinking as the mortuary sent only (1) person to retrieve the victim, "how is this person going to lift this body as the victim was of a large physical size. I offered to assist this person in lifting the victim's body onto the gurney for transportation. I held onto the victim's legs as the mortuary person took a hold of the upper body.
issued $2,000 checks depending on their length of service and membership for helping with this organization. The Police Union is the recognized bargaining unit for the Omaha Police Department during contract negotiations. Also, being a member with the Union affords attorney representation in times of need. The Fraternal Order of Police provides financial assistance to athletic police events by members that I have also used. All of these organizations have contributed in donating to different community organizations that rely on assistance for survival. Even though I'm currently retired, I'm remain an active member in the Fraternal Order of Police.
