Did you know that National Police Week is May 11-17 in the U.S. and Canada?  In honor of all police officers, here's the definition of

A Cop On the Take

First he takes...the oath.  Here's what else he takes:

He takes...it in stride when people call him "pig."

He takes...his low paycheck, realizing he'll never be rich.

He takes...a second job sometimes to make ends meet and support his family.

He takes...time to stop and talk to children.

He takes...your verbal abuse while giving you a ticket you really deserved.

He takes...on creeps you would be afraid to even look at.

He takes...time away from his family to keep you safe.

He takes...your injured child to the hospital.

He takes...the graveyard shift without complaint because it's his turn.

He takes...time to explain why both your headlights have to work.

He takes...criminals to jail.

He takes...in sights that would make you cry.  Sometimes he cries too, but he takes it anyway because someone has to.

He takes...time to explain to his family why he can't make the ball game his child is in, and why he has to work on the holiday when other parents are off.

He takes...his life into his hands daily.

Sometimes...he takes a bullet.

And if he's lucky...he takes retirement.

This piece is attributed to a Texas police officer whose brother and fellow officer died in the line of duty.