American Dreams: Colombian Memoirs Coming to America Ii

By Mateo Lobos

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and former law enforcement officer tells his controversial family story: I was a rookie cop working patrol when the local newspaper wanted a story about minority rookie cops on the job. Ironically they chose me. They didn't know what can of worms they were opening and wanted to know my struggles in coming to America. I began remembering my controversial past. You see, my parents came to the United States illegally looking for a better way of life. Unfortunately after years of struggling here my father began selling drugs to stay afloat. Needless to say that that lifestyle was a rollercoaster ride full of dangerous frightening risks. Thankfully God intervened and consequently my father was arrested and sentenced to 15 years in prison where he surrendered to Jesus. He witnessed many blessings which made me want to know Jesus too. Unfortunately my life was also in shambles from my poor decisions and I found myself joining the Marine Corps. I became a proud patriot and began loving this country, my country, and this is why I am sharing my controversial story with all of America, hopefully inspiring people to make better choices in life because ultimatley they affect our future and our freedom.

May we also continue to have a country that inspires huge dreams, great ideas, and great music. A country that still can say Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free (Emma Lazarus). I still want this country to be around for my grandchildrens grandchildren, so lets keep the American dream alive! Hoorah, semper fidelis!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 3, 2016
• ISBN: 9781504982436

Mateo Lobos

Marine Corps Veteran and former law enforcement officer remembers his childhood: We immigrated to the United States from Colombia when I was only four years old. Life as an immigrant proved to be extremely difficult, which hurled my father into a dangerous life. I eventually became a US citizen, joined the United States Marine Corps, and served five years of active duty. After earning an honorable discharge, I then became a law enforcement officer, also serving three years in the Army Reserves. After living these extraordinary experiences I decided to write a book about my family, first through my father’s eyes then through my eyes. I now currently live in Florida with my wife and son while I work to have my story become a movie.

Book preview

2016 Mateo Lobos. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 03/02/2016

ISBN: 978-1-5049-8242-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-8295-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-8243-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016903445

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Conclusion

Chapter 1

A loud audible Beep sounds over the police radio.

Three Bravo Four, I have an In Progress Robbery call at 4505 Sweet Plaza Dr.

Three Bravo Four, show me 10-51 En Route.

Need other units to respond for backup.

Three Bravo Five, show me 10-51.

Three Bravo Eight, show me 10-51 as well.

Dispatch this is 3Lima 3 put me on that call and we’ll advise once we arrive 10-97.

10-4, Copy that 3L3.

Friday evening at twenty-one hundred hours (9:00 pm) and already the night was hopping with In-progress robbery calls. The day to day work of a Police Officer was never dull and always unpredictable. As the units drove towards the robbery call with their sirens blaring, their red and blue lights flashing, and cruisers speeding through traffic they prepared their minds for the worst possible scenario. Will this call be like the other in progress calls that turn out to be nothing at all, or will it be the real thing? Some senior officers knew what it was like to lose a fellow officer in the line of duty and already had their near death experiences on the job before. None of them intended for their families to cash in on their life insurance yet so they focused everything on officer safety. The patrol units assigned to the call began to message each other on their patrol car computers and coordinate a perimeter while agreeing on which directions to approach from.

Bravo Five to Bravo Four, I’m coming from the north part of town so I’ll hold just north of the address until you advise what we got, said Bravo Five.

Roger that Bravo Five; Bravo Eight I need you to come up from the west and hold until I’m 10-97 (on the scene) and we’ll see what we got. Lima 3 where would you like to be Sir? said Bravo Four.

Bravo Four 10-4 I’ll be your back up on the call, said Bravo Eight.

Lima 3 to units responding, I’ll hold just south-east until you advise if it’s actual or a false alarm and dispatch please hold the station for emergency traffic only, once they arrive, said Lima 3.

The dispatcher and all the units responding affirmed and prepared for the arrival. Bravo Four turned off his lights and siren a few blocks before arriving on the scene as not to alert the suspects, if any. He arrived on the scene, parking his patrol car behind another building to keep out of sight of the business in question.

It was a business plaza that contained various types of businesses and the call came from a random citizen. The dispatcher received the call from the complainant alerting 911 of the armed robbery. The person advised that he was walking by the plaza liquor store and saw that inside was a white male wearing a grey hooded sweater and jeans yelling at the clerk while waving what appeared to be a gun in his hand. The caller hid outside in the parking lot and called 911.

Bravo Four and Bravo Eight were on the scene and as they approached the business, they had the other units set the perimeter in case the suspect fled the area. The officers stealthily approached the building and looked into the open parking lot not seeing the caller or anyone that fit the suspect’s description. Bravo Four crept up to the window and peeked inside but didn’t see anyone either. Both officers drew their department issued Glock firearms and quickly walked up to the glass door then entered the business. Bravo Four and Eight spread apart to cover all the isles and clear the place. Bravo Four heard a faint conversation in the back office and signaled Bravo Eight to keep quiet while he pointed to the back. Bravo Eight held his position as Bravo Four got closer to the back office keeping close to the walls. Both officers tried listening to the conversation but it was too faint.

Bravo Four, Bravo Eight, are you 10-4? the radio sounded.

Damn, the radio volume! with a dumb look on his face Bravo Eight lowered his volume hoping that no one else heard.

"Who was that?! Who’s there? A voice in the back yelled. The officers were not that lucky this time. With nowhere else to go at this point they challenged the unknown persons in the back.

This is the Police! We received a 911 call from here about a robbery, said the officers.

Help me, he’s got a gun! the clerk yelled. The officers’ eyes widened and Bravo Four got on the radio.

Bravo Four to units, it is a robbery! I repeat it is not a false alarm! Get me a K9 unit and advise Air Patrol to respond! Also we have a barricaded subject with a hostage at this point.

If you come in here I’ll shoot this guy! Don’t make me do it! the suspect yelled at the officers.

Don’t make it worse for yourself man, just come out with your hands up and surrender, said Bravo Eight.

Units come around the back of the building in case he runs out the rear exit, said Bravo Four over the radio.

The outside units began closing in while K9 responded with lights and siren. The Lieutenant, Lima 3, advised SWAT of the present situation since there was a hostage involved at this point.

Okay man so what are you thinking, are you gonna make it easy or difficult? asked Bravo Four.

There was a thump and a loud crash that came from the room.

Are you okay in there, what was that? asked Bravo Eight.

A man with slurred speech spoke up and said, He ran out the back door! the clerk mumbled after being hit by the suspect. The officers quickly ran inside the back room and saw the clerk with an apparent injury to the head from being hit by the gun. They also found the gun that the suspect left behind. It was a metal BB gun.

Diaz let’s go, he’s on the run! Lobos said to Bravo Eight. Units he’s on the run but he left his BB gun behind. Still treat him as if armed!

The suspect was running through the empty back alley of the plaza fleeing the police as they began to close in on him. Officer Lobos, Bravo Four, and Officer Diaz, Bravo Eight, were chasing on foot. The suspect jumped a fence into a residential neighborhood and the officers were trailing not too far behind.

The suspect jumped the fence into the adjacent neighborhood, I need K9 to head that way with other officers, Officer Lobos said over the radio.

This is Kilo 3 I’m on the scene where do you guys need me? K9 Unit Kilo 3 responded on the radio.

Yes Kilo 3 and other units we’re on his trail running through backyards jumping fences and heading west but we don’t know what road it is, Lobos said.

Kilo 3, its Roosevelt Drive heading west so try to cut him off but use caution because he might be armed, 3Lima 3 added.

Roger that I’ll cut him off, Kilo 3 responded.

Kilo 3 I’ll hold with you just in case this guy is armed, Bravo Five advised.

Roger that Bravo Five let’s do this. Come on Killer we got work to do, Kilo 3 said to his dog while Killer responded with violent thunderous barking as he shook the whole car eager to do his job.

Bark! Bark! Bark! Killer could be heard in the neighborhood already as the officers chased the suspect through the backyards.

Hey man surrender or we’re going to release the dogs after you! Lobos yelled at the suspect.

Go F!@k yourselves pigs! the suspect yelled back.

The officers were jumping over fences trying to keep up with this young male suspect but with an extra 35lbs of gear it was not an easy task. They were almost one yard behind the suspect. As soon as the officers jumped the fence they could see the suspect jump into the next yard. But this time the suspect jumped into the yard where Kilo 3 was waiting with Killer and Bravo Five.

Stop right there, don’t move!!! Both officers yelled at the suspect. Followed by Killer, Bark, Bark, Bark!!!

But the suspect turned around now heading back towards Lobos and Diaz and was about to jump the fence.

Kilo 3 got on the radio and warned all the officers, Don’t anyone move I’m letting Killer go! Bark, bark, bark!

Lobos and Diaz heard that and froze in their steps because they knew better than to keep moving. The suspect jumped back into the yard with Lobos and Diaz but looked puzzled when he saw them up against the wooden fence facing it and guarding every inch of their bodies. He smiled unaware of what was coming, possibly thinking that Killer could not jump over the 6ft wooden fence. He thought he was Scott free when lo and behold Killer cleared the fence with one quick leap hurdling it like a pro. The young white male looked back and turned pale with horror in his eyes. His knees buckled and quickly picked up the pace because now he had a 100 pound Belgian Malinois on his tail quickly closing in.

Aahhh help please don’t let him get me! the suspect yelled as he ran like a bat out of hell. Bark, bark, bark! Killer closed in.

Lobos and Diaz were in the clear now that Killer was hot on the suspect’s trail. Kilo 3 with Bravo Five jumped the fence and met up with Lobos and Diaz.

Okay guys let me lead but let’s catch up quick to Killer before we have no suspect to arrest and just bits and pieces to pick up, Kilo 3 joked.

The officers were jumping fences again and were following Killer’s barks. Then they all heard a loud scream coming from the suspect and no more barking from Killer.

AAHHhhhhh! Help, help please get your dog off of me! the suspect called out to the officers. Killer was biting into the suspect’s flesh with happiness knowing he did his job. Killer was latched on to the suspect’s arm waiting for his partner, Kilo 3, to give him the command to let him go.

Okay we are 10-15 we got him, send an ambulance in reference to dog bites. We have the suspect in custody and you can clear the radio, Lobos said.

Lobos advised and cleared the station as he placed cuffs on the wounded suspect. Killer had chased the suspect over a fence and knocked him down with one pounce. He took a good bite of the suspect causing some nasty puncture wounds sending him to the hospital before making his trip to the county jail and being charged with armed robbery and fleeing and eluding law enforcement.

It was a busy Friday night; after the robbery more calls came in regarding assaults and batteries, auto burglaries, home burglaries, 911 calls, domestic violence, mentally ill persons, and suicide attempt calls. They just kept coming in one after the other non-stop. The radio would finally go quiet after 3am where most people were tired out and finally went to sleep. That was the normal work day of a Law Enforcement Officer, like being in a tug-o-war match and you were the rope getting pulled at from all directions.

Chapter 2

Hey Lobos, after read-off come and see me in my office, the Captain said.

Yes sir, Lobos replied.

15 minutes later after the read-off meeting was finished, Lobos was extremely curious about what the District Patrol Captain needed to see him for.

Good afternoon Captain, how are you today? Lobos greeted his Superior Officer.

I’m doing fine thanks. Come on in and have a seat Lobos, the Captain said calmly.

Yes sir and may I ask what is this in regards to sir? Lobos asked with intrigue.

Oh you can relax it’s not bad news it’s actually very interesting, the Captain assured Lobos all was fine since he looked nervous. The Local Newspaper has come to us wanting to write a story about one of our Rookies. They want to interview you and a few others, and then they will select one of you lucky Rookies to follow around for 12 months. They want to capture the first year of a new Police Officer’s life, ask you about your background, and why you decided to become a Police Officer.

Wow that sounds cool, Lobos said.

Yeah but this is the reason I wanted to talk to you and those others selected. There are certain topics you cannot talk about and you must know that people’s information and their cases are confidential. You have to be very careful what you tell the media you know that, the Captain reiterated with the raise of his eyebrows.

Yes sir I understand, I’ll be discrete and somewhat vague with the information I give to the reporter, Lobos assured the Capt. Anything else sir? he asked.

The Captain answered, No that is all Lobos, and you’re dismissed. Now go hit the streets.

Ok, have a good day Captain, Lobos exited the office.

Officer Lobos entered his patrol car and logged onto his MDT (Mobile Desk Top). As he drove to his district he had his police radio on and listened how the city unraveled and crawled with crime. The calls for Police Assistance were backed up due to the amount of crime and not enough officers to respond. The calls ranged from 911 hang-ups, missing child runaway, child abuse, domestic battery, petit theft, house burglary, vehicle burglary, shoplifting, mentally ill person, suicide threat, deceased person, sexual battery, hit and run accident, motor vehicle accident, etc… It was non-stop calls with dispatch prioritizing the urgency of the calls and dispatching officers to the calls in most need.

The everyday civilian goes through life unaware and oblivious of the horrific mess and tragic tails that go on behind closed doors and through the eyes, ears, and nose of everyday heroes: Our Military Service Members, Police Officers, Fire Fighters, Doctors, Nurses, and all other Emergency Response Personnel. All are very respectable positions that are recognized for their duty and sacrifice. But only the Police Officer is constantly in harm’s way putting their life on the line, but sadly always under scrutiny, and treated like the enemy by the people they are working so hard to protect and serve.

Bravo Four to dispatch, I’m 10-8 (Available for calls), Officer Lobos said over the radio.

10-4 Bravo Four, I need you to respond to a 911 hang-up call at 1106 Citizen St, the dispatcher ordered.

10-26 (Message received), show me 10-51 (En Route), Lobos replied.

Bravo Three to dispatch, show me 10-51 to that call also, Officer Lane said.

10-4 Bravo Three I’ll show you as back-up for Bravo Four, dispatch replied.

Police Officers use their maps to respond to the scene as safely, quickly, and tactfully as possible; simultaneously paying attention to other calls going over the radio and discerning the calls in case they’re more urgent than the current call. Also as the officers respond to incidents they must receive and relay messages to their back-ups or dispatchers regarding calls, and all this is while they are driving their patrol cars.

Bravo Three and Four, disregard that call. Answer on call back and home owner states it was her young child playing with her phone, all 10-4. Bravo Three, I need you 10-51 to a Child Abuse call at 4545 Dragonway Dr. Bravo Four, I need you 10-51 to a Late Reported Stolen Vehicle call at 12556 West Oak Pl, dispatch ordered.

10-4, 10-51, both units responded.

As Lobos was driving to the Stolen Vehicle call he began thinking about what the Capt. had told him earlier that day after read-off.

"Wow the Local Newspaper wants to write a story about Police Rookies and their backgrounds. What if they pick me, what the hell am I supposed to say? A lie: that I was born here of Colombian Legal Immigrants, that I grew up in the suburbs, that it was easy growing up next to the Joneses? Or would I tell them the truth: that my parents and I were true Wet Backs, that my family’s past was more than tainted, that it was a past that most try to forget, that in my line of work as a Cop my past could possibly be a problem, and perhaps risk everything I’ve worked so hard to build. What a