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

Chapter 286 Review
"Is there anything else?" Eric asked, puzzled.

“You can choose not to take credit, but we can’t pretend it never happened,” Rafe said in a deep voice.

“The people you saved today are more likely to end up in body bags. I, Rafe Thompson, and the entire Second Battalion owe you this debt, and we have to acknowledge it.”

As he spoke, Rafe pulled a slightly worn personal business card from a pocket of his tactical vest. It only had a name, a phone number, and an encrypted radio call code on it, and he stuffed it directly into Eric's hand.

Eric was stunned, wondering when Rafe had prepared this.

“Take it, this isn’t a bonus,” Rafe said in a very serious tone.

"From now on, whenever and under any circumstances you need support, my channel will always be open for you and your people."

This isn't something to be negotiated; this is the most practical promise a commander who has lost his brother can make to you.

Eric glanced down at the business card again, and without refusing, nodded and put it away.

The more of these benefits the better, but upon closer reflection, it seems that many people unknowingly owe others favors.

Will and his colleagues, including veteran patrol officers like Ray.

Rafe breathed a sigh of relief, silently stepped aside, and watched Eric walk down the steps in front of him.

"Damn it. Those guys at the detective agency sitting in their offices have probably found a priceless treasure that even they don't recognize."

Rafe didn't know why, he muttered a curse under his breath, turned around and walked into the main house.

He still had to clean up the scene, and he had many questions to ask Carlos and the others.

-

Eric walked down the steps of the main house, which had become slightly loose from the explosion, and found that the outside was bustling with activity.

The atmosphere remained tense, but less bloody and more orderly and busy.

The shouts of the correspondents and the static of the radio were incessant.

At the same time, it seems that many people are turning their attention to him.

Whether it was the drone operator or the emergency medical staff, everyone was looking at him as if they were paying their respects.

Eric also saw Daves panting heavily from the command post; it looked like he had just run over from the outer perimeter.

Although he can be quite sharp-tongued at times, he's also very caring. Eric felt a warmth in his heart and went over to him.

at the same time.

Daves also spotted Eric approaching. He quickly scanned Eric and found that apart from Eric's slightly dark face, there was no blood on him.

After staring at it for a good few seconds, Daves took a long, deep breath and then exhaled heavily, as if to expel all the worries and tension that had been building up in his chest.

"Sir! What are you doing here?" Eric stopped in front of Daves and asked knowingly.

Daves looked at Eric, ignoring his question, and said hesitantly:

"You follow them."

Eric's face was clearly marked by gunpowder. Daves seemed to want to say something, but didn't know where to begin, and finally chose the most direct question:
"it's over?"

Eric nodded and said, "It's over."

Daves relaxed, recalling the explosion: "Are you really alright? No injuries?" His gaze swept over Eric's entire body again.

“No, sir, it’s perfectly fine,” Eric said, shaking his head.

"It's just a matter here."

"Now that it's over, there's nothing more for you to do here. Your mission is completely finished."

Daves interrupted Eric, saying, "I'll personally follow up on this. Get in the car now, go back to the branch office to sign the papers, and then go home and rest."

As for the subsequent paperwork and inquiries, they can be postponed until tomorrow; this is an order.

Eric paused for a moment, glanced at the command center, and without saying anything more, stepped forward and spoke.

"Yes, sir!" Since staying here would just mean standing on the sidelines as punishment, I might as well go home after get off work and tidy up.

Daves suddenly patted Eric on the shoulder and said seriously, "Although I don't know what role you played in it, you did a great job, Eric."

Even you are like this?
Daves has always played the role of a strict boss who cannot tolerate even the slightest imperfection.

Eric was actually a little unaccustomed to this.

Daves noticed Eric's unusual behavior but didn't say anything, only saying:
"Go."

Having said all that, Eric could only nod, salute, and walk toward his lone Explorer patrol car parked in the distance.

Daves stood there, watching Eric open the car door, get in, start the engine, and drive the police car slowly away.

Daves didn't look away until the taillights disappeared around the street corner.

"This is 10-Adam-1, outer perimeter alert team reporting."

"."

"Yes, push the third warning line out another 100 meters! Notify the municipal staff to come and assist in directing traffic."

"Media? Keep them in the designated area. No one is allowed in to conduct interviews without my permission."

------

At seven o'clock in the morning, the first light of dawn was breaking.

A Ford Raptor slowly drove into the private garage.
The tires made a slight sound as they rubbed against the ground.

Eric, who had just returned from the West Canyon Police Department, sat in the driver's seat, still smelling of gunpowder.

"Finally home." He glanced at the rearview mirror.

Watching the garage curtain slowly descend, blocking out the outside light inch by inch, until the last gap disappeared.

Only then did Eric truly relax, let out a long sigh, and lean back in his chair.

Today's events appeared to be handled cleanly and efficiently, but amidst the hail of bullets, every nerve in his body was taut.

After all, bullets don't have eyes, and no one knows what will happen before it's over.

Eric subconsciously pinched the back of his neck, and his cervical spine made a faint clicking sound.

However, even though his body was relaxed, his mind was still racing, repeatedly reliving every detail of the day.

Because today's events are still worth reviewing.

This was the first time he had personally experienced a standardized military tactical operation from start to finish, even though he was leading the team.

But looking back, every step was like a perfectly coordinated gear.

What impressed Eric most was the thermal imaging technology.

This thing also played a key role in the entire operation, exposing all the ruthless criminals, no matter where they hid, to the small drone screen.

The image lingered in his mind.

If he were the one surrounded by the SWAT team, what should he do?
If the roles were reversed, and he was the one surrounded by SWAT, what would he do? Under the surveillance of thermal imaging, any advantage of concealment would vanish, and everyone's location would be clear at a glance.

Eric pursed his lips, narrowed his eyes, and recalled the only part of the day that SWAT had lost.

Misjudgment of the enemy's equipment and strength.

From this perspective, the only things he can utilize are firepower and initiative.

“Next time we encounter this situation, we should either take the initiative and seize the initiative, or…” Eric’s gaze turned to the front window of the car, staring at the empty space ahead.

"We need to prepare equipment to counter thermal imaging."

(End of this chapter)