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PA CHIEFS OF POLICE ASSOCIATION
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BULLETIN
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WINTER 2016
www.pachiefs.orgWORE THE BADGE
“I grew up and went to school in the City of York and graduated high school in 1969 during a time
of riots locally and nationally. In York, a Police Officer was killed and a woman just riding in a car
through a white gang's turf was killed. These were strong influences on me as they happened
in my community and I remember curfews, gunfire, fires, and National Guard troops. Almost
immediately as I entered college, I became interested in the Law Enforcement major and just
continued interest, joining the campus police, and became a police officer in York at age 21. It
also helped that when I went to college, there was grant money toward tuition for those entering
law enforcement. I believe those factors along with intense interest in knowing what was going on
around me (some call that nosy) resulted in wearing the badge for 42 years. I could fill pages with
good stories and horror stories, but I never could have dreamed to have had worked with so many
good people doing good things and to have felt so fulfilled in choosing a police career.“
Tom Gross
Executive Director
Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association
WHY I
WEAR THE BADGE
Tom Gross
"Ever since I was a young boy, all I ever dreamed about was becoming a Police Officer. My mother says I would pretend to be an
Officer while watching police shows, and would mimic them during my childhood play with family and friends. As I grew into a
teenager, I began to realize the importance of Law Enforcement and began to dream and aspire to become a Police Officer. I
looked up to my local Police Department and would rush to the street every time they circled my development. I was fascinated
with their white shiny patrol car that had big red and blue emergency light bar on top.
I was born to a father and beautiful mother that spent their years trying to give me and my sister more opportunities by
traveling to America. My father is a man of great integrity who waited years for a simple green card in order to get his wife and
future children to the “Land of opportunity.”, the United States of America. I love this country and I’m proud to be an American.
Although I didn’t end up taking over my family’s pizza shop, I know they are very proud of what I have become.
“Son… serve these people with everything you have and always watch your back.” I can still remember those words being
whispered to me in Italian by my father after my Police Academy graduation. In 2003 when I took the oath, I felt an instant
change in my life. My lifetime dream became a reality and a lot of responsibility was attached to it. As a Police Officer, not only
are we required to make split second decisions that could change someone’s life, but we must live with these decisions, so they
must be done ethically and honorably.
There is so much going on in each second, and my training at the Academy and post Academy prepared me for the most
difficult decisions I would have to make in any given situation. I am dedicated and give 110% to the people who live and visit
Pennsylvania’s Capitol City. Our citizens deserve nothing but the best protection from
my fellow officers and I.
I wear the badge to show my two sons, Alex and Braiden, how great this country is and
to help them understand the importance of helping others. I wear the badge to give
back; to create friendships; to help those in need; to support our neighbors; to build
partnerships; to serve; to make the community safe; to make a difference; to protect
the innocent; to mentor; to show kindness; to provide guidance; and to inspire. To show
that the best way to change something is to not complain about it, but to become part
of it and create the change yourself. Most importantly,
I wear the badge to give back to
a country that has given me absolutely everything.
I wish to conclude this by honoring
the fallen and remembering the families they have left grieving. Thank you for serving
our county.
You are also why I wear the badge
."
Pietro Picciurro
Explosives Canine Officer
Pennsylvania Capitol Police
Pietro Picciurro