Embarrassing, but here goes. I learned from it, trust me.
Ten years ago, I stopped at a gas station just after 10 pm to fill up. At the time, I carried a Glock 19 in a fanny pack (I know, go ahead and laugh. I don't have it anymore) and was walking around my SUV checking tire pressure while the tank filled. Rear driver's side had a large rock wedged in it, so I bent over to dislodge it. Fanny pack got in the way, so I removed it and set it on the rear bumper thinking I'd grab it as soon as I was done.
For some reason that never happened.
Drove away, and about 20 minutes later while on the way to a restaurant, I reached for my fanny pack which contained my checkbook and realized it wasn't where I usually kept it. I pulled over, and still couldn't find it. Of course, it then clicked where I last saw it.
I cussed, and then had to make the phone call.
I called the dispatch center and embarrassingly told my co-worker I needed to make a lost property report. She asked if it happened to be a fanny pack with a Glock in it and I told her it was. A good natured citizen stopped at a light in front of the gas station, looked down, and saw it laying in the street. She picked it up, took it home, and showed her husband who told her to call it in. Bear in mind, this is in Lakewood, Washington (those who frequently watch COPS will be familiar with it; those who live nearby will know it well, too) and the area was not known for its impressively low crime statistics. I was told that a Deputy had picked it up from the citizen and was going to call me in a few minutes after looking through it and finding my checkbook. I said I'd just meet him at the precinct and get it from him there.
I walked in, and found he had emptied out my fanny pack and taped every single thing in it to the white board in the turnout room with the words, "WAY TO GO!" in huge letters. I humbly collected my pistol, the magazine, 15 rounds, my checkbook, and a few dumb things, and headed out the door, but not before buying the Deputy breakfast for being a good sport about it. He still gives me a bad time every now and then.
I would've loved to have thanked the honest citizen for finding my property, but I never followed up on it. Never again would that fanny pack be worn. :banghead:
I learned the importance of carrying on my person, and I'm very much aware of how badly I messed up that night. Sheesh. Could've turned out much worse.
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