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| My Dear Friend Terry Marvin |
I received a phone call the other morning at 5:00 am
advising me that my dear friend and 28-year veteran of law enforcement Terry
Marvin had died of a heroin overdose (2016 repost). Of
course the cop in me kicked in and I went straight to denial and then I started
making phone calls to confirm his death knowing all the while it was true
because that’s how addiction works. I’ve
seen much negative press written about Terry’s death which is being used from
my perception as political fodder to further the agendas of others. I wanted to
tell you about Terry and what he meant to me.
Those of you that know me know I’m a pretty blunt person and
not politically correct because it’s not who I am. That being said, let’s get it out on the
table, cut through the crap and call it for what it is; no need to sugarcoat it
because addiction when left untreated usually results in jails, institutions
and death!!!
Terry, like myself, was not without fault. Yes, he got into trouble while on the job. Yes,
he got a DUI and there were probably other things that went on I have no idea
about. I know through my own addiction
and dealings with other human beings that many of us have a lot of “baggage” in
our closets we keep hidden. Although
it’s human nature, our secrets keep us sick.
Having said that, who the hell am I to judge his life because I too, am
an addict and know I am only one step away from his fate.
I met Terry when he was the director of operations for a
treatment center that serves first responders as well as others. At first I didn’t return his calls, but he
was persistent. I decided to make the
trip to see him and see what he’s all about.
He met me at the airport and there he was in his Miami Dolphins jersey
waiting to pick me up. I had an
immediate connection with him. We were both cops, we both caused a lot of pain
for ourselves and others and we were now both committed to helping those that
serve.
