by Donald Z. Smith

Created on: July 28, 2011   Last Updated: July 29, 2011

Right does conquer wrong and good does overcome evil.  That's was I always thought throughout my life.  For 59 years, my careers spanned a stint in a Catholic seminary aspiring to be a Redemptorist missionary, a combat Marine in the jungles of Vietnam, a Supervisor for years in the New York State Police and finally an Undersheriff in a county Sheriff's Office.  Then my self reflection and my thoughts on how things really can work out changed contrary to life-long beliefs .   After being Undersheriff for many years, I ran a political campaign against another candidate that had actually been a subordinate in the department I served as Undersheriff for years.  This candidate survived investigations involving criminal activity for years, despite my conclusive investigations submitted to the Sheriff,at his bidding, during that time.  The sheriff decided to take no action and let the member survive in the department.

The criminal activity and personnel issues that this candidate had for years, allowed me to have the endorsements of the New York State Police, New York State Chiefs of Police, many other police agencies including the one we both had been employed by and running for sheriff in.  Right would overcome wrong and I felt victory was a sure thing.  However, politics are a funny animal and his years of political connections helped my opponent to rise to victory with little note of the many things he was involved in for years and never brought out to light.  When I ran my campaign I forbid all my supporters and advertisement to display anything but positive things related to my career and to run a campaign based on my credentials.  I did not want to win by running a negative campaign displaying any criminal activity or career issues the other candidate had.  I felt it wasn't necessary.  So, then I lost.

I was amazed at how things worked out, and sat around for months in self reflection, and became bitter against the way the system and life worked out.  Then one day, my spirits rose and I realized life doesn't always treat you fairly.  Things don't always work out as you want.  

I promised a very poor school district that I would volunteer as a school resource office for free.  The school district was in need of a police officer to provide direction and help to various issues from drugs to other crimes among some in the student body.  I rose up and drove 100 miles a day,

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>