"Bookin Bookman"

Everyone dreams about doing something when they are a child. Sometimes dreams come true. Such is the case of Leo Bookman. You see, Leo Bookman is a unique individual. He is currently a police cadet in Academy Class 200. When he graduates and hits the streets, I will really feel sorry for the crook who feels that he can outrun this guy. Bookman, quite frankly, can “book.” He will have to sit back and give the crooks a thirty second head start just to be challenged. Let me tell you why.

It starts with a young man growing up south of Houston. He always wanted to be a professional football player and a policeman. He could not do both, so he figured, he would play football first, and then serve his community later. Cadet Bookman joined the football team at Dickinson High School as a wide receiver and was “all everything” during his high school days. The guy could fly! “Bookin Bookman” ( I am not sure that was his nickname, but in my mind I like to think it was) was noticed by the Kansas Jayhawks when they saw a blip on the radar down in Dickinson, Texas and they offered him a scholarship to play football with them.

After two years of football, Cadet Bookman decided he would join the track team and see what would happen. Something happened alright - he won three national collegiate championships in the 200 meter run. Did I mention that he could fly? After graduating from college, he got an offer from Nike. They wanted to sponsor him in Europe during track and field events. Although he would have to leave his family behind, Bookman jumped at the chance to compete on a professional level.

At one point in his career, he was the number one man in the world in the 200 meter indoor run. After doing the European circuit for a while, Bookman got tired and wanted to come home. He was promptly invited to the Green Bay Packers training camp. Before long he was catching passes from Brett Favre! (You may have heard of this Favre guy, football player….a New York Jet now…google it!)

Two weeks before the first pre-season game, Bookman twisted his ankle and was slow to recover. With the competition high and his injury preventing him from showcasing his talent, he was cut from the team. The Oakland Raiders came knocking and gave him a try-out a week later. Guess what? Cadet Bookman made the team! He was playing on the same team as Randy Moss! (You know, he’s a New England Patriot now, one of the best receivers in the NFL…never mind, google it!)

He was a Raider for the whole season. The Raiders had a rough season that year and ended up 3-13 for the year. A new coach and a new direction ensued the following year for the Raiders and our man Bookman was cut again.

He received another call from the Baltimore Ravens and had another opportunity to showcase his speed and talent. Bookman thought long and hard and decided it was time to go home and pursue dream number two, which was becoming a policeman.

He told me that the camaraderie is a lot like when he was playing in the NFL. Everyone is his class has a common goal, to win the “Superbowl”, and have a badge pinned to his or her shirt. Cadet Bookman could not be happier and is very excited to graduate so he can make a difference. He is doing well in the academy, although he is lacking in the physical fitness portion…come on…you know me better than that. I just wanted to see if you were still reading this. I cannot wait for the first crook who thinks to himself, “I can run away from this cop, he probably sits around and eats donuts all the time.” I can just see the look on the crook’s face when “Bookin Bookman” runs up next to him in full stride and whispers in his ear “I can do this all day, can you?” To quote a famous commercial; “Priceless!”

P.S. We will be happy to give him a try out on the Houston Gunners (Our HPD football team.)

P.S.S. Fate is funny, did you realize that Cadet Bookman was rated number one in the world in the 200 meter indoor run and is currently in Class number 200. I’m just saying…