Battle in the Streets

Chapter 1

A/N: If you are a police officer and have had some experience in the field for awhile, please let me know if you see anything that American officers would handle differently. I like to keep it realistic for people to realize what you really do day in and day out. Thank you! And enjoy!

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His chest rose and fell, drawing in the fresh, midnight air with each breath. He fumbled for the key to his apartment on a key ring in one hand and in the other, he held a flashlight, illuminating the apartment door.

Brian Andrews' sore eyes and tired mind told him it was time for bed after his 12-hour shift. His tense muscles from keeping alert all day began to relax. Ah, home, he thought. Sitting on the couch, a yawn escaped from his mouth. Brian clicked on the television. It had always been a routine, starting from his first day on the job. Like any other person, he always wanted to stay up to date on the latest news.

His heart dropped down to his stomach as the news headline flashed in front of his eyes.

11 Officers Shot, 4 Killed at Shooting at Downtown Dallas Rally

Officer Andrews locked his eyes on the screen in shock, whispering, "Another shooting. Just one after the other. When will it all end?"

He couldn't help but keep rereading the headline. His tired, once relaxed muscles tightened again. Goosebumps raised on his skin. His stomach churned. His jaw clenched with anger. What can be done to fix it? What can I do? This needs to end, he thought.

This was live. His Texan brothers in blue were hit, targets still being shot down, lives still being taken out like pawns in a chess game. All he could do was watch it all play out. Though he never met these police officers, he knew them in a sense. He knew what they stood for, lived for, and died for.

There had to be a way to change the negative stigma, but what could Brian do? He was just one police officer. How could he make a difference in the community, much less the country if many people negatively viewed him and his coworkers? The answer was through teamwork and community-based policing, which sometimes was easier said than done.

He unbuttoned his dark blue uniform shirt and un-velcroed his ballistic vest in the nearly silent apartment. After removing the heavy, sweat-covered vest, Officer Brian Andrews held it in his hands.

Because of the city bankruptcy a few months ago, the city didn't have the funding to buy any more bullet-resistant vests. Some officers, like Brian, bought one out of their own pocket. It was on him at all times when on-duty. Yes, the police vest was a target sometimes, but it was also his assurance in a way. His protection. It, of course, was not a full-proof plan. Nothing was. But it was a step in the right direction in this cruel and dark world.

Blocking out the sound of gunfire in the background and reporters talking about the tragedy, he laid his vest aside. Brian pressed his lips together. He rubbed his hands and slowly brought them together into folded hands.

Brian dropped to his knees, praying, "Dear Lord, I know you're there. I'm sure you're aware of the shooting going on right now in Dallas and many other places. Be with the Dallas police departments and the officers' families as they mourn their loss." Andrews sighed. "Just... give me the calmness I need every day to work in this city and this country. And when anything does go wrong, give me the peace to know you are with me and the strength to carry on. Protect us as we serve our communities and nation. In Jesus' name, Amen."