December 1983: Well, I just graduated from UCLA with a degree in Criminal Justice (as was always my dream). I decided to take action and apply for the LCPD in Los Angeles. Shortly after applying, I made the academy class of 1983 (Company 3B). While at the academy, I met a young man who studied law by the name of Vince Romano. He was an average height man with a great upper body and was very charming. During our time at the academy, we became friends (even though he tried numerous times to date me) and graduated from the academy three months later. Now I must say that the only reason why I didn't date Vince was because I myself had just broken off my engagement to an attorney because he couldn't support me in my decision to become a police officer.
Romano was partnered with a veteran Sergeant by the name of Thomas J. Hooker while I was placed behind the desk at the entrance of the precinct assisting with paperwork and other tasks as needed. Once my probationary period was over, I was partnered with a Field Training Officer originally from San Francisco and recently divorced by the name of Jim Corrigan. Corrigan was straight forward and by the book. He did not like it when I would make a stupid mistake or ask if I could drive the patrol car once in a while. Towards the end of shift, 4A16 (read as 4 Adam 16) got a call to assist 4A30 who were chasing two suspects in a bank robbery. We caught up with one of them who was running through a construction site. He had quite a lead on us so I took my baton and flingged it like a boomerang and caused the suspect to trip over his own two feet. Corrigan was quite surprised about that move and asked me where I had learned to do something like that. I replied "Hooker taught me!" Corrigan just smiled, we cuffed the suspect and put him in the patrol car. Corrigan and I continued as partners for a number of years.
While on the night shift, we got a call of a home burglary and met up with Hooker. Oh by the way, Romano left LCPD to pursue his law career. Anyway, while Hooker attended to the homeowner who had been shot by the male suspect, Corrigan and I got into our patrol car where we began chasing the suspects in a gold Trans Am. During the chase, the female suspect shot the tire of our patrol car and our car spun out of control and eventually caught fire. I was knocked unconscious so Corrigan had to pull me out of the car, which blew up seconds after making it out. We were both taken to the hospital for observation. Corrigan was good to go while I had suffered a minor concussion. I was being released the following day and Corrigan did me the favor of driving me home. He insisted on staying with me to make sure I was taken care of. He would make me breakfast in bed, making sure I got plenty of rest. As night made its way, I decided to take a shower to get ready for bed once again. Well, before I knew it, Corrigan decided to join me in the shower as well. What was supposed to be just a partnership at work seemed to be turning into something more. We stared at each other for a few seconds when we finally couldn't resist anymore. Our lips met and I must say it was all I could have imagined and more. We knew this was going to be a night we both would never forget. We got out of the shower and Corrigan carried me to the bed where our bodies came together as one. He was so passionate as his kisses made their way towards every inch of my body as did mine. Corrigan positioned himself on top of me and it was the most magical moment I had ever experienced. The night came and went and we realized what had happened throughout the night. The next morning we got ready for work. As much as we wanted to not make it seem awkward, a part of it was. Here we are supposed to be partners looking out for one another and now we have this hanging over us. However, during our shift we were able to talk about what happened and both agreed it felt good. We continued to see each other for the next several months and did our best to keep it under wraps since dating within the department was not allowed.
Jim and I figured that our relationship was going well and eventually ready for the next step. Well sure enough during one of our date nights, Jim was acting quite strange because he was squirming around on his chair. When I asked him if he was alright, he took my hand, pulled out a box, opened it, and asked me if I would do him the honor of being his wife. I was so taken back by his question that my eyes teared up and I just kept nodding yes until I finally gathered myself to say the actual words. We knew eventually people at the department would find out. The first person we had to confirm this with was my father who also happened to be the Captain of the precinct (Dennis Sheridan). I always knew daddy was very fond of Corrigan because of his work ethic and how he has treated his little girl all this time, both as his partner and as his girlfriend (now fiancee). Hooker, on the other hand, was not as happy about the news. We understood why he felt the way he did but we both sat down to talk to him and assured him that this would not change anything at all. So we decided to have a winter wedding and aimed for December 22nd. We began planning a very small and intimate wedding since Jim had already been married and I had been previously engaged as well. We held a private ceremony at a small church in Santa Monica where our close friends and family were in attendance. I stood at the start of the aisle where I could see Jim standing in his black suit and I in my white dress with a long trane and rhinestones all over. I shimmered as I walked myself down the aisle to meet Jim. My heart fluttered as I got closer to meet him. Once I got there, I held his hands as the priest officiated the mass, exchanged vows, and kissed each other to seal our marriage. We exited the church and headed to our reception at Sherry's. After the reception, we went home to get some rest before leaving for our honeymoon to Lake Tahoe. We both had accumulated enough time to take off. So we got up early the next morning with our bags already packed and drove to Lake Tahoe. Even though neither of us knows how to ski, we wanted to enjoy ourselves for a few days with no distractions...just the two of us enjoying each other. I couldn't get over how perfect it was. Since we knew that Christmas would fall during the time we were at Lake Tahoe, we decided to exchange our gifts while we were there. Low and behold we had given each other two wedding bands with both of our names on it with our wedding date. Jim's ring was encrusted with a row of diamonds set on 14K white gold while mine was a white gold band as well with diamonds all around it. Neither one of us had planned this so we were both surprised with one another's gifts. We gave each other a long kiss and held each other in front of our fireplace at the cabin where we were staying.
We continued with the LCPD for another thirty year before we retired. Upon retirement, we decided to move to Santa Monica where we could be closer to our family as well as the beach since we were both beach lovers. We had just decided to spend our time with each other as well as our two daughters and our grandchildren, which we had a total of four (two boys and two girls who were now teenagers.) Jim and I were married for a total of 52 years before he passed away. He was honored with full honors as a policeman. His service flag sits at my side while I sleep, which makes me feel as if he is still there with me.
Although I was an officer myself, one never knows when that one shift will be your last. I treasured the time Jim and I spent together both as partners at work and as life partners. He was a friend, a husband, a cop, and a grandfather all built into one. I love you then, now, and always Jim.
