I normally make it a point to only report and write articles dealing with bad cops and their tactics and procedures. My goal is to give a heads up to all citizens, so they may protect themselves from rogue law enforcers everywhere, the worst criminals!

Recently I learned from another police officer from Virginia about the arrest of a police officer with a different twist. His arrest is unusual, in that his crime may be considered the worst of worst. He didn’t kill anyone, steal their wallet or money, or even assault a citizen.

What did he do? Well the Newport News Police Department arrested police officer Thomas Crouch for embezzling! Get this, he’s accused of stealing money from the police charity fund, the fund that collects money for the families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty!   

You should also find the statement he made after his arrest to television reporter Melanie Woodrow, of WAVF channel 10 news, quite interesting, I know I did. It’s what prompted me to write this article. He said,

“It’s embarrassing, I’ve had an exemplary law enforcement career and I’ve done a lot in the community through various organizations and you know, it’s a wake up call and it’s a shame it had to come to this”.

Look, I don’t like to kick anyone when their down, and I always attempt to keep my articles and commentaries focused on unrepentant bad cops. You know, the ones who possess the God complex, the ones who believe they are the law. I really don’t have a problem with anyone that’s truly repentive, as we’ve all made mistakes in life.

But what does he mean by it had to come to this? That’s not a statement made by a repentant individual! He made it a point to list his accomplishments FIRST as if those deeds should “absolve” him of the crime! When I was a cop thirty years ago, what does he think happened to me? I arrested robbers, murderers, thieves, and rapists also, but one bad decision cost me everything, in so far as a law enforcement career!

Yes I’m a little upset with his statement! Let me share with you another reason why I’m upset. I made a similar statement when I was arrested! And when I made that statement, believe me I was totally unrepentant. Not only was I unrepentant, but I was hoping my “past good deeds” would get me off the hook! His statement sounds eerily similar. In other words, being a good cop 99.9% of the time doesn’t cut it. Matter of fact, it’s often said that the smallest deeds can cost you the biggest headaches…or arrests!

I believe officer Crouch should take a deep breath and first realize that he is accused of theft from a charitable organization: entrusted to him by other cops and the families of fallen officers. (He allegedly used their credit card for personal gain). If this charge is true , then he should realize that his repentance, true repentance, will be the only way not only to heal himself, but perhaps began the healing processes with his fellow officers and the community in general. And lastly, he should realize that the healing process is an ongoing process, never ending.

Let me be perfectly clear. I wrote of my experiences in Cop Out, particularly that I was a bad cop and a vile human for three reasons. The courts or the judge didn’t demand or order it, but I chose to, for three important reasons. The first, that no cop may use an unfair and illegal tactic on any citizen. Secondly, that others may learn from my mistakes and not repeat them. And thirdly, my personal promise to God that if he deliver me from a life of 22 years as a fugitive, I would proclaim his power to change men through a book of my personal ordeal, no matter how embarrassing it was to me, as well as donating any profits to charitable organizations!

Officer Crouch, if you’re reading this article, feel free to contact me. Why? Because your journey has just begun and maybe you need to understand a few things, a few things that might ease your journey! You will experience many of the things I experienced 30 years ago. You will feel shame and dishonor. Your family will feel it as well. When you and your family travel to the local grocers or shopping malls, people will whisper. Your fellow officers will denied ever having knowing you. Your next door neighbors will strangely not speak to you with the same respect as before. Even your children will suffer: they will suffer as if they were guilty of a crime. And your wife, oh your wife, she may or may not leave you, but believe me, she will suffer at the looks and whispers of her co-workers, friends, and family, whether she leaves you or not!

Officer Crouch, that’s just the beginning! You must still deal with the legal ramifications of your choices. You will find that the district attorney handling your case, you know the one that befriended you when you guys were prosecuting others, well suddenly he’s going to distant him or herself from you. Private attorneys will salivate when you call them to inquire about their defense cost! They will charge you an outrageous fee because of your local notoriety!  

Yes I suffered all of this, and much more, when I compounded the problem by “cop-ing out", hence the name of my book, COP OUT! Yes, this stupid, rogue, and scare young cop decided to run and become a fugitive for over two decades, instead of taking the punishment I so willing dished out to others! Yes, you were right in your statement to the reporter, it all comes down to this!