The real life of an American police officer: Winning over others with virtue

Chapter 216 Awarding
Virginia.

Spotetherville County, Sheriff's Headquarters.

A stately Georgian red-brick building sits on Prince William Street, surrounded by weathered cobblestone streets and well-preserved 18th-century buildings.

On the second floor of the headquarters building, heavy oak doors were wide open, revealing a tall and spacious room with dark wood paneling covering the walls, and huge windows overlooking the tree-lined street.

Eric, dressed in a brand-new navy blue suit, stood out from the crowd, attracting everyone's attention. People present couldn't help but linger on him.

But Eric completely ignored these stares, instead examining the wall with interest.

What interested him most was not the award ceremony, but the portraits of past sheriffs, the Virginia state flag, the American flag, and an oil painting depicting the historical landscape of Fredericksburg hanging on the wall.

These furnishings have a certain charm.

"Ahem!" A soft cough came from behind him, and Eric reluctantly withdrew his gaze, glancing discreetly behind him.

The awards ceremony was quite well-attended, with a mix of people from various departments, including the FBI, state police, and local prosecutors.

But one person stood out in particular, with a solemn expression that made anyone who didn't know better think something terrible had happened.

Eric sighed inwardly as he watched Daves attend the ceremony with the same meticulous attention to detail.

He had originally planned to wear casual clothes to the awards ceremony today, but Daves and Morrison, his lawyers, urgently arranged for him to wear this outfit through a local police equipment supplier.

It made him feel very uncomfortable, and the meticulously tied tie made him feel even more restricted.

Silently feeling the many gazes cast upon him, Eric could only straighten his back a little, trying to earn points for the Los Angeles Police Department, lest Daves nag him again when he got back.

Daves, standing at the back of the crowd, nodded to himself. He had to admit that Eric was indeed very handsome, with outstanding looks that surprised many people present.

The brand-new navy blue suit he prepared was like a second skin tailor-made for Eric, clearly and perfectly outlining his sculpted, handsome features.

Daves glanced at the audience around him and couldn't help but smile when he saw their ignorant looks.

This guy works under him.

"Finally, we're getting to the main course." Eric stood on the stage, watching the commotion ahead, and breathed a sigh of relief.

There was so much empty talk before the award ceremony; it felt like listening to a long lecture from the principal at school.

Then, my gaze involuntarily lingered on Tifa.

Today, Tifa wore an elegant charcoal gray wool trousers with a pearl white silk shirt underneath, looking quite simple and capable.

The key point is that she, who usually goes without makeup, actually wore light makeup today, emphasizing her naturally exquisite features and superior bone structure.

At this moment, she was breathtakingly beautiful.

"Agent Tifa Allison, you are not only a beneficiary of heroic acts, but also a key contributor to preventing a greater catastrophe."

Your composure, wisdom, and the crucial intelligence you provided under extreme pressure are also heroic acts.

Therefore, the County Council has unanimously decided to award you this Citizen's Bravery Award in recognition of your exceptional professionalism and courage demonstrated during the crisis, and your outstanding contribution to protecting the safety of the community.

The Spottselwyn County Sheriff, with a slightly drawn-out Southern accent characteristic of Virginia, spoke with a warm yet genuine respect. He stood before Tifa and solemnly opened one of the boxes, inside lay a gleaming medal. At its center was an embossed emblem of Spottselwyn County, symbolizing strength, protection, and elements of local history, surrounded by delicate motifs of oak leaves and laurel branches, representing power, honor, and victory.

The medal was hung on a red, white, and blue ribbon, which was secured at the end with an exquisite county emblem buckle.

Next to the medal was a certificate framed in an exquisite card, and a formal check for $7500.

“Thank you, Sheriff,” Tifa nodded and took the box.

Sheriff Dawson smiled. Solving so many missing persons cases at once greatly reduced the pressure on the local area and also provided excellent publicity material.

This matter is beneficial to all parties.

He then took the second box from the tray held by the officer behind him, walked up to Eric, looked at him seriously, and said...

“Officer Eric Stevens,” he knew that the young man in front of him was extremely skilled. He had single-handedly killed a squad of assassins carrying rifles, a feat that shocked everyone and was a key part of solving the case.

"Although you are not a resident of this county, your heroic act took place on the land of Spottselwyn County, protecting our valuable agents and innocent civilians."

By a unanimous decision of the County Council in an emergency meeting, I, on behalf of all the residents of Spottselwynnia County, hereby award you the Citizen's Bravery Award in recognition of your extraordinary courage and selflessness in the face of a deadly threat.

Your actions are worthy of the highest honors and standards of law enforcement, and have deeply moved everyone in our community.

“I am deeply honored, Sheriff.” Eric took a deep breath, his voice low and sincere, activating his Acting Level 4 (Mastery)!

"I just did what any police officer would do: protect lives."

Sheriff Dawson chuckled, “But not every cop can do what you did in that kind of desperate situation, officer.”

With that, he handed the box to Eric.

Thunderous applause erupted! All parties achieved a satisfactory result, and everyone's face was beaming with smiles.

Eric glanced down at the contents of the box; to him, the most valuable item was probably the $7500 check.

As for medals? They can't put food on the table. He doesn't value reputation as much as others do.

Only 7,500? This county is too stingy.

Whether it was a misperception or not, Sheriff Dawson, standing in front of Eric, keenly caught a fleeting look of disappointment in the young man's eyes.

"It's probably just my imagination," Sheriff Dawson muttered to himself, his cheek twitching almost imperceptibly. He then invited Eric and Tifa to stand in front of the fireplace so that the county's official photographer could take their picture.

“Darling, you’re being too obvious. Everyone’s noticed.” Tifa suppressed a laugh, tilting her head slightly to Eric’s side and speaking in a low voice.

"How could that be? His acting skills are so unbeatable at level 4, helping him handle so many situations," Eric replied nonchalantly in a low voice. "The FBI can't be that stingy, can they? You've worked so hard, they should give you more bonuses."

Tifa finally couldn't hold back, and a smile instantly bloomed on her face. That bright smile made Eric pause slightly: "No, there should be tens of thousands?"

“Okay,” Eric laughed, “then it looks like I can keep this $7500 for myself.”

Click! The smiles of the two were captured in a photograph taken in the future.

(End of this chapter)