DUST ON THE BIBLE

Beyond the Shield

In 1986, I was 24 years old, working in Washington D.C. as a personnel assistant. Out of the blue, my aunt called me from California. She had just accepted a work assignment in Boston that was going to last about 8 months. She wanted to know if I would be interested in house-sitting for her because she did not
want to leave the house empty. “Are you joking?�?I gasped. “Of course!�?I was thrilled at the offer. My aunt lived in a beautiful house in Santa Monica just a few blocks from the most glorious beaches. I had always longed to live there. In a span of 2 weeks, I gave notice at work, bought a car and packed my
bags. It only took me 5 days to drive across the country. I arrived on the Fourth of July, just in time to enjoy the fireworks display at the beach. I was ecstatic to be there.

After about 2 months of relaxing, reading and sunbathing, my funds were getting low and it was time to get a job. I found work as a recruiter for a large bank in downtown Los Angeles. The commute was awful but it was a job and paid fairly well. As
the holiday season approached, I found myself invited to several holiday parties. The celebrations were fun-filled with plenty of good food and lots to drink.

I was young but old enough to know better than to drink and drive. Unfortunately, one night at a party, I drank several glasses of champagne on an empty stomach and continued to drink. I cannot really say just how much alcohol I ended up consuming,
but it was way too much. I remember stumbling a little as I walked to the garage where my car was parked. The thought did cross my mind that I might be better off not driving, however, that was followed with the realization that it was only Thursday
and I would need to get to work the next day. Foolishly, I got into my car. I remember very little of the drive home. I do recall there was one point when I came out of my blackout just long enough to avoid crashing into the side of the freeway on the on-ramp but nothing more after that. I was a complete blank.

The next morning I woke up in my bed with an enormous hangover. Although I felt terrible, I dressed for work and got ready to go. When I went outside, I did not see my car. Usually it was
parked in the driveway. Puzzled, I walked to the sidewalk and looked up and down the street. No car. Now I was really perplexed. I tried desperately to remember what happened the night before. Nothing came to mind.

I went back inside and sat down at the kitchen table. I had no idea what to do. Finally, I called work and told them I was sick and would not be in. I said nothing about a missing car. I was too embarrassed. I got my bicycle out of the garage and started
cruising the neighborhood looking for my car. I rode up and down every street up to 10 blocks away. Still nothing. I was really worried now. I returned home with all kinds of questions running through my head. What was I supposed to do? Who should I call?
How would I get to work?

A thought came to mind that perhaps the car had been stolen. I went to pick up the phone to call the police when there was a knock at the front door. I answered it and there stood a California Highway Patrolman. My heart sunk. What was this?

“Hello,�?I said timidly.

“Hello. I’m Officer Green. May I come in?�?BR>
“Okay,�?I responded. I was unable to ask any questions. I was too scared about what the answers might be.

He walked in. He was a tall, handsome man with piercing dark eyes. He filled the small hallway with his presence and the uniform he wore. I showed him into the living room and then sat down on the sofa with my hands clasped tightly. I was shaking
and could feel the tears welling up. I was terrified that I had done something really horrible. He stood, hands folded in front of him.

“Do you remember me?�?he asked. He spoke deliberately and firmly.

Unable to speak, I shook my head. Tears began to drop. “Well, Leigh, what do you remember?�?BR>
Startled that he knew my name, I squeaked out, “I w-w-went to a party and then �?and then �?I don’t remember.�?I was now openly crying.

“Do you know where your car is?�?BR>
Again I shook my head. Sighing, he sat down next to me. “Leigh, when I saw you, your car was weaving all over the freeway. I was off-duty at the time, but I knew you were in trouble. I pursued you and turned on my lights. It took you almost 5 minutes to
pull over. By that time you’d exited the freeway and were dangerously coming close to hitting parked cars. I was very relieved when you finally stopped and pulled over.

I stared at him, letting the tears drop. “You are young with your whole life in front of you," he went on. "You almost threw it away last night. You cannot drink and drive �?you know that." I nodded, ashamed. “Think about this. After you stopped and got out of the car, you willingly got on the back of my motorcycle. You gave me your purse when I asked where you lived. Do you understand that not only could you have died behind the wheel, you might have been robbed or kidnapped �?maybe raped or worse? Do you understand that?�?BR>
I stared at him with the growing horror of what might have happened to me if this officer had not brought me safely home. I realized that I owed this man my life. His compassion, kindness and benevolent actions had saved me from a terrible fate. “I am so sorry,�?I cried. “I feel so ashamed. I am so, so sorry about
what I did.�?BR>
He looked at me very seriously. “I want you to tell me you will never drink and drive again. Life is too precious to waste it away on foolishness. You are a beautiful, intelligent young girl and I want you to live for a long, long time. Can you promise me that?�?BR>
“Yes!�?I told him. “I do promise. Officer, thank you so much. I don’t know what to say to convince you but I do mean it.�?BR>
For the first time, he smiled and his whole face lit up.
Suddenly the room seemed infused with warmth; the morning sun coming through the windows appeared brighter �?almost radiant. I felt an overwhelming awe. I leaned forward and hugged him, whispering over and over, “Thank you so much. You saved my life.
Thank you. Thank you.�?

The moment seemed to last forever. When it was over, my tears had dried and I felt a sense of peace and comfort. Officer Green got up and I walked him to the door. He turned before leaving and said, “You haven’t even asked me about your car.�?BR>
“Yeah, I know. I don’t really feel like I deserve a car right now.�?BR>
“Well, how are you going to get to work?�?BR>
I shrugged, just glad that I wasn’t being led handcuffed to the police station. “The bus I guess.�?BR>
He gave me a fatherly look. “Here,�?he handed me a piece of paper. “Your car is parked at this address. Go and get it. You’ll need it. Just remember your promise.�?BR>
“I won’t ever do that again! I promise!�?I waved to him as he walked to his motorcycle. “Thank you!�?I called out. “Thank you! Good bye!�?BR>
I was thrilled to find my car intact and exactly where Officer Green told me it was. As I drove it home, I felt like I’d been given a second chance. Everything could have been taken away at any given moment that night. I decided to write Officer Green a
note to thank him again and let him know just how much his actions meant to me.

I wrote the note and then started calling local police precincts to find out where Officer Green worked. No one had heard of him. I called the California Highway Patrol. No Officer Green. That puzzled me. Where was he? I contacted City Hall with a
description and name. There was no record of him. There was no record of an Officer Green anywhere!

That’s when I knew. No matter what anyone thought, I knew in my heart that God had sent an angel named Officer Green to save me �?and to teach me. That was why I had felt the warmth of His love and the joy of His comfort. Were it not for His help, I
sincerely believe I would not be alive today.

�?.Leigh Platt Rodgers

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