I understand what you are getting at here. But in my years I have and still experience both worlds, rural and city. Yes Dad was like Andy Taylor, he was an elected constable and the only law enforcement in a rural community but his duties were not limited to rural. This rural community was along side the main east to west transportation artery in America I-40. So he was exposed to everything society could throw at an officer with his interactions when assisting state patrol officers. And quite often he was required to go cover someone on vacation Etc. in the nearest big city. So he was experienced with both worlds.
My Uncle was a state highway patrol officer who covered these same areas both rural and city along this major freeway. When he retired from the state he became marshal and did his time again and retired from that also. His duty as a marshal was all in the big city.
As for my own experience, when I hit hard times and was homeless it was in metro LA and then for awhile in Las Vegas. I have since lived in other major cities so I understand the metro culture well. I have several very good lifelong friends who are currently officers in Baltimore, Phoenix, and L.A. One of my other son in laws is currently a Maricopa County SO in Phoenix. So even though I am back in the rural demographics I still have my experiences and I am always up to speed on current events and metropolitan society and what public servants have to deal with there.
Now let me share something very important about your wife and yourself. Grandma and I, because of our very rural business location, We have also helped out so many people who were stuck and having hard times with compassion. We can’t even count how many thousands of labor hours and thousands of dollars we shared to help people get rolling again. We fed so many down and out folks and their children from out of our home/shop that my friends joked that we should put up a cross on the shop and call it a church. It did finally drive me to become a minister. :)
So I can tell you with confidence that all the compassion and patience you and your wife have shared throughout your life despite the scrutiny you had aimed at you will indeed come back to you a hundred fold Sir. Never once were you ever wrong for not “going with the flow”. It is a now a rare and righteous virtue I personally hold very highly. Thank you... :)
My wife is a retired nurse and a Christian and she has been a positive influence on me from day one. Congratulations on your life journey as well. It sounds as though you have grown and helped scores of people. I am sure that your dad is very proud. Thank you for being a minister, people need spiritual guidance these days more than ever.
We never had any real criticism or scrutiny directed our way. In fact I was able to get away with all sorts of things that would have gotten others in difficulty because of my reputation for trying to help people.
One time we showed up for a lady who called in and said she was feeling sick. When we got there she was laying on her bed completely naked in a sexy sort of pose. She was in her mid 20s and attractive. So my third man went over to start taking vitals and I was starting a report. My driver stood there with his mouth hanging open. My third man yelled at him, “Bill, go get a towel or something!”. He came back with a wash cloth.
So she said she was riding her exercise bicycle and she got all hot and sweaty and felt like she was going to faint. So she laid down on her bed. Bill interrupted my questioning for the report and asked if she was riding her exercise bicycle naked. And she said, “No silly I took my clothes off after I got on the bed.” My third man scowled at Bill.
She recently had lost a lot of weight and had cosmetic surgery. Since it was her first experience with near syncope our protocol dictated that we should advise her to go in and get it checked out. But I felt fairly certain that what she was really looking for was attention and approval. She probably thought she would get three good looking young firemen instead of three older tired looking guys.
As we rolled her into the back of the ambulance, I said, “I just want to congratulate you on your weight loss and cosmetic surgery, you look spectacular.” My crew just about dropped over dead, because we are professionals and not suppose to notice such things. But she was so grateful she started crying and couldn't stop thinking me for noticing.
So on the way back to the station my crew was irritated and telling me that anyone else would be fired for making a sexist comment like that, but because it was me, nothing would happen.