Border Patrol Stories
The Unforgettable Trainee
It was around 1986 in Imperial Beach, working out of the old sheriff substation at I-5 and the border. Tony Ruiz and I were in the office, busy with pre-shift scheduling, when we heard the back door open. We were expecting a fresh group of trainees, but then....
CLACK!.....CLACKCLACKCLACK!
Were those the sounds of heel caps?
You could only imagine a Watch Commander's shock when, around the corner, came this plump humanoid figure dressed in a green uniform and mirror sunglasses. It stamped its heels together, stood to attention, threw up a palm-out English salute, and bellowed, "JOHNNY TROOPER REPORTING SIR".
"Dear God, why me?" I thought.
Sadly, Johnny did not pass his 10 month exam, but during his brief tenure, he managed to commit more foolish acts than any other six trainees I had ever encountered.
CLACK!.....CLACKCLACKCLACK!
Were those the sounds of heel caps?
You could only imagine a Watch Commander's shock when, around the corner, came this plump humanoid figure dressed in a green uniform and mirror sunglasses. It stamped its heels together, stood to attention, threw up a palm-out English salute, and bellowed, "JOHNNY TROOPER REPORTING SIR".
"Dear God, why me?" I thought.
Sadly, Johnny did not pass his 10 month exam, but during his brief tenure, he managed to commit more foolish acts than any other six trainees I had ever encountered.
The Unforgettable Trainee
Help spread the word!
