SHOES

What follows was written by Detective Lou Smit in 1983.  It was published in a small law-enforcement publication.  It is the source for the "shoes' comment in his resignation letter.

Detective Lou Smit,
          Colorado Springs Police Department.
    .
    It’s 3:00 in the morning and we’re looking down a lifeless corpse. Many things are racing through
    our minds: Who is he? How was he killed? Who did it? Why? Who’s going to notify the next of
    kin? So many questions, so few answers. We start making sketches, recording information on
    physical description, blood, wounds, clothing. My eyes are drawn to the man’s shoes. I don’t know
    why, but in almost every case my eyes are drawn to the victim’s shoes. Thoughts flash through my
    mind: When he put them on the last time, did he even suspect it would be the last? He won’t wear
    them again. He’ll never tie those laces again.
    .
    Shoes, shoes, the dead man’s shoes, who will stand in the dead man’s shoes? I remember something
    I read long ago:
    .
    THE DETECTIVE STANDS IN THE DEAD MAN’S SHOES TO PROTECT “HIS”
    INTERESTS AGAINST THOSE OF ANYONE ELSE IN THE WORLD.
    .
    I guess . . . THAT’S WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT – so many awesome responsibilities are
     associated with standing in that dead man’s shoes.
    .
    It means: becoming personally involved in the case and with the victim.
    .
    It means: consoling relatives and friends.
    .
    It means: caring for the victim’s personal possessions and belongings.
     .
    It means: respecting that person’s body and integrity no matter what race, creed, social upbringing,
    and past faults or reputation, always remember that something has been taken from him which is
    priceless and irreplaceable – his life.
    .
    It means: closing all doors and answering all unanswered questions.
     .
    It means: solving the crime and finding the right killers.
     .
    It means: putting into the case part of yourself, not just making it a 9-5 job.
     .
    It means: going that extra distance, even if all of this distance is uphill.
    .
    It’s not “just getting by,” but finding that extra piece of evidence or that extra witness, thus
    developing that extra “depth” to the case.
    .
    It means: making commitments and keeping them.
    .
     It means: squeezing as much out of the justice system as you can. Granted, sometimes it’s not
    exactly what you want. Always strive for “everything” that the courts and the law will allow,
     standing your ground and fighting, even though the odds are long and the battle is tough. Get used
    to fighting and drawing your lines, trying not to retreat from what is right.
    .
     It means: always “placing the CASE FIRST.” Don’t let your personal pride and feelings be placed in
    front of your real job, that is: representing the victim.
    .
    Remember, try to think of it as not working for the prosecution or the defense.
    .
    YOU WORK FOR THE VICTIM.
    .
    Anyone can stand in this victim’s shoes, either by working on the case directly or by supporting it
    verbally.
    .
     Just remember: All of you can stand in his shoes and bring his case one step closer to a successful
    conclusion.
    .
    When the case is finished:
    .
    You may experience a great deal of satisfaction;
    You may be thanked by the victim’s family and loved ones;
    .
    I would also like to think that someday, as we travel through eternity, we will meet that victim, who
    will say,
    .
         “WELL DONE, FRIEND, WELL DONE."