Most citizens feel somewhat distanced from the local police authorities in their communities. Maybe it’s our inherent fear of power, maybe we’ve seen one too many car chases on COPS. Or maybe we heard one too many jokes about donut-eating cops. Policemen are often aware of that distance. However, occasionally something incredible and unpredictable can bridge that gap.
When Tony Scherb, a retiring police instructor, stepped into an empty elevator on his last day, he didn’t know security cameras were rolling. Or if he did, he didn’t care. The beloved member of the El Paso Sheriff’s Department finally shrugged off the stress of years on the force. Soon, the footage of Scherb letting off some steam in the elevator went viral and took the internet by storm…
1. Who is Tony Scherb?
Tony Scherb, of El Paso County, Colorado, was a police officer. He joined the department in 1987 and was assigned to Floor Security. Tony’s friendliness and warm demeanor quickly became an asset to himself, as well as his colleagues. His attitude continued to be important in his next positions on the force: from a floor officer, to his work in the Traffic Unit, all the way through to his work as a top police instructor.
Despite his triumphs, Tony’s path contained more than a few obstacles and stresses. And many of us easily forget just how stressful being a police officer is.