Chapter 177
Luke rested at home for three days.
Returning to the Detective Bureau again was already in full form.
The Detective Bureau was extraordinarily different today, with a noticeable increase in the number of people in police uniforms.
Although Luke didn’t directly change into his police uniform, he also had folded police uniforms in his bag.
Today was the day the medals were awarded!
As soon as he arrived at the office, Luke realized that Blackie was very stinky wearing a neat police uniform.
Pointing to the police uniform, Blacky asked, “What do you think, how do I look in a police uniform? I haven’t worn a police uniform in a long time.”
David laughed, “You should wear your police uniform around the station so everyone knows you’re going to the awarding ceremony.”
“Good idea, what do you guys think about me going to the Publicity Division first? There are more girls over there.
David “……”
Blacky farted away.
Jenny shook her head, “Sure enough, he’s still him, never changes.”
The lieutenant laughed, “The fastest way to get out of a relationship is to start a new one.”
In a way, Black was right.
Jenny rolled her eyes, secretly understanding finally why you’ve been divorced so many times.
Luke’s cell phone rang and pulled it out to see that it was Lawrence’s number.
Hesitating, he answered it, “Hello.”
“Luke, it’s Lawrence.”
“Hello, what can I do for you?”
“I asked you for something last night, remember?”
“Last night ……,” Luke paused as if thinking, “Oh, I remember, last night we both drank together and you got me drunk.
I didn’t see it, you’re still quite capable of drinking at your age.”
Lawrence began to curse in his heart, was I the one who was getting you drunk? It was you who was pouring yourself.
“You should still remember the things I told you last night.”
“What did you say?”
Lawrence reminded, “It was about Gordon, Gordon’s lawsuit.”
“Gordon? The NBA basketball guy?”
Lawrence was confused, “Is there a Gordon in the NBA?”
“I think so, why? Do you want to ask me to watch the NBA with you?”
“No, I’m not asking you to watch basketball with me.” Lawrence was a little speechless, “Do you have time tonight? Let’s talk about it.”
“Sorry, I can’t tonight, there’s an event at the police station. I guess I’ll have to work late tonight.”
“Then when do you have time ……”
Before Lawrence could finish, Luke interrupted him, “SORRY, our captain is calling me, let’s talk some other time.”
After saying that, Luke hung up his cell phone.
“Lieutenant, you’ve been married so many times, how did you deal with your old man?”
The vice squad raised one eyebrow, “Are you sure you want to know?”
“Sure.”
“We don’t see each other much, maybe once or twice a year, usually with a bouquet of flowers.”
Luke “……”
A little after one in the afternoon.
At the Los Angeles Convention Center, police cars were pulling into the venue’s parking lot one after another.
At 2:00 p.m., the official medal presentation ceremony will be held here.
A familiar musical melody resounded in the hall.
“The wind is picking up outside the window, I’m leaving on this day, I want to throw my arms around you and embrace you, Los Angeles ……”
Accompanied by the music, Luke, Susan, Vice Squad, David, Ramon, Marcus, Jenny, and Matthew walked into the venue one after another in their neat police uniforms.
It wasn’t the first time Luke had come here, only last time he had come alone to attend the police rank promotion ceremony.
This time, it was the whole team that came together to attend the awarding ceremony.
During this period of time, Luke had solved quite a few cases, both through his own efforts and the team’s merits.
Because of the group medals, there were more police officers attending the awarding ceremony this time than the last awarding ceremony.
The sides of the grandstand were filled with family members of the officers, Robert, Linda, and Fatty were all here.
Chief Frank Regan walked up to the stage to speak, some people are born to be the main attraction, Frank could give people a sense of security and trust just by standing there, even if he didn’t speak.
It was a man who made people look reliable.
Although Luke couldn’t be sure yet, he felt from Reed’s mere words that this Director Frank was probably the real organizer of the Sea Fishing Club.
Of course, it was not realistic for Luke’s current rank to want to participate in the bureau he organized, not that people looked down on him, but the gap between the two sides was so great that it was hard to have anything in common.
However, being able to agree to Luke’s participation in the Sea Fishing Club proved that this big brother still appreciated Luke more, or at least proved that Luke was a potential stock.
Luke also indirectly understood Frank during this period of time, this big brother in the Los Angeles police system has a lot of influence, to give a simple example.
His dad used to be the chief of the LAPD, and his style is very tough, for criminals are always severely punished.
Reagan family belongs to the standard police family, his son and daughter are engaged in justice-related industries.
If he was able to get the appreciation of this big brother, Luke would be able to get a firm foothold in the Los Angeles police system, and a promotion and pay raise would only be a matter of time.
Frank’s speech didn’t take long, and soon the awarding ceremony officially began.
The first award was the Group Medal.
The people of the Robbery and Murder Division’s Squadron One had recently excelled in their performance, solving many major crimes, and were awarded the Group Medal of Excellence.
Susan led the crowd to the stage to receive the award.
Luke was pushed second to the stage by Vince.
Vince followed Luke as a willing greenhorn.
David puffed out his chest and held his head up with a firm stride.
Ramon was introspective and unsmiling.
Black raised his chin and was all smiles.
Jenny painted light makeup, quite a bit of police style.
Matthew walked at the end, with a coy smile.
The crowd took the stage and saluted, and the medals were presented by Chief Frank himself.
Frank helped the crowd put on the medals and said a few words of encouragement.
Although it was just a few words of spectacle, Frank’s charisma was strong and gave the crowd a shot in the arm, which could still serve as a motivator for at least three to five days.
After handing out the collective medals, the individual medals were next.
Unsurprisingly, Luke, who had recently excelled and improved significantly, received a Medal of Courage.
For Luke, this was a recognition from the top brass of the LAPD and was an honor that belonged to him personally.
In addition to the honor, the medals were also rewarded with a considerable amount of money.
The Medal of Collective Excellence, awarded $10,000 per person.
The Medal of Courage, awarding 20,000 dollars to an individual.
With these two medals alone, Luke would be able to obtain a reward of thirty thousand dollars.
Needless to say, it was still the bills that came in handy.
The awarding ceremony ended and the officers found their families to share their honor and joy.
Little Fatty ran over and hugged Luke, “I’m so proud of you, old man! You were so handsome when you went up on stage to receive your award. Can I see your medal?”
Luke laughed, “Sure, as long as you don’t trade them for money.”
“I’m going to take a picture to show Maggie.”
Luke “……”
You kid is practically obsessed.
“Hi my dear grandson, you will always make me proud.” Robert came over and hugged Luke.
“Grandpa, thank you for coming to my award ceremony.”
“I had to come, and whenever there is an event like this in the future, let me know. I don’t care about the others, but I definitely have to be there, it’s an honor that belongs to the whole family.”
“I will.” Luke smiled and answered, looking at Linda next to him, “Mom, was your son handsome on stage?”
“Handsome, more handsome than Pete and Little Li Zi.”
Linda’s eyes reddened, as a single mother seeing her son grow, no one was happier than her.
“What about Uncle Val?”
Robert shrugged, “His name is not suitable for this kind of occasion. Just ignore him for now.”
Luke advised, “Grandpa, Uncle is already trying to change, have some faith in him.”
“Hopefully.” Robert faintly answered, looking like he didn’t expect much anymore, “Luke, what time do you get off work tonight, how about we celebrate? It’s a meaningful day.
It’s worth memorizing.”
Luke said, “Not today, the team is having a dinner tonight. It’s the first time we’ve won a team medal.”
Robert patted Luke on the shoulder, “You should, Grandpa will make it up to you some other day.”
Eight o’clock in the evening.
Buffalo Grill Dining Bar.
This restaurant’s main specialty was barbecue, with the charcoal grilled chicken being the signature dish.
Steaks, lamb chops, pork chops, fish, and seafood are all available and flavorful.
The members of the 1st Squadron of the Robbery and Murder Division sat around a circular table.
They often drank at the bar, and there weren’t really many get-togethers.
But today was different, everyone had won a collective medal, it was a team honor, everyone was happy and the gathering was extraordinary.
Susan raised her glass, “Everyone our squadron could not have won the Collective Medal of Excellence without everyone’s efforts.
I haven’t been here in 1st Squadron for long, but I can clearly feel everyone’s efforts and progress, and I thank you all for your support, I’ll toast to everyone.”
“Cheers.”
The crowd all raised their glasses to clink with Susan.
As Susan said, everyone was improving, and how had Susan herself not changed.
Susan went from being out of place at the beginning.
To gradually understanding and acquiescing to some of the team’s ways of handling cases.
Since Susan became the captain, the Internal Affairs Department rarely came back to ‘find trouble’, and from this alone many people would miss Susan’s favor.
One reason for this change was because the people would be reminded by Susan to rectify any irregularities in a timely manner.
Another Susan had been working in the Ministry of Internal Affairs for many years, and had both the connections and the knowledge of how to avoid some of the points where mistakes were made.
Tonight’s party was lively and everyone seemed very happy.
“Luke, didn’t you also get a personal medal? Show it to everyone.” Blackie stared with a pair of big eyes full of curiosity.
Luke didn’t hide it either and directly took out the Medal of Courage to show the crowd.
Blacky took it in his hand and scrutinized it, “I like this medal, it feels completely different from the collective medal.”
David laughed, “You like a lot of things.” He then took the medallion and looked at it closely as well and casually handed it back to Luke.
Dinner was almost ready and the group gathered for a drink and a chat.
David had been drinking a lot tonight and looked a little different than usual.
Luke warned, “David, don’t get drunk and expect me to take you home.”
“I’m fine.” David got up his glass of wine and took another drink.
David then stood up, “Guys, I have something to say.”
Seeing David speak formally, the crowd stopped and looked at him.
“Uh …… I may be transferring.
That’s right, transferring to another department.
I’ve already talked to the captain and he’s agreed.
So I wanted to take this opportunity to tell everyone.
To be honest, it’s not easy to open this mouth. But I still want to say it myself.”
David tapped the medal on his chest, “This medal was earned through our efforts together. It’s also the only medal I’ve earned since I came to the Heist and Murder Division.
It’s a testament to our efforts, to our friendship, to our past, and I think it’s enough.
I’m already satisfied and don’t have any regrets.”
Blackie was shocked by this sudden news: “David, are you drunk? Why did you start talking nonsense?”
“No, what I said is true.
I’m going to be transferred to the Department of Anti-Triad and Narcotics, and the documents should be approved soon.”
Blackie still had some difficulty picking it up, “This …… this is too fast.”
Lieutenant Vincent asked, “Why are you transferring to the Department of Anti-Blackness and Drug Enforcement, and what position have they given you?”
“Lieutenant.”
Lieutenant Vince nodded, “Sounds good, and an opportunity of sorts.”
“That’s what I thought.”
Seeing that David had made up his mind, Luke didn’t push any further, “Congratulations.”
Jenny said, “Even though you’re not very nice to be around, I’m still a little sad to leave all of a sudden.”
Blackie nodded, “Me too.”
Ramon took the rare initiative to speak, “Come back often.”
David pretended to be relaxed, “Come on, the Blackout and Narcotics Division is downstairs.
We can meet every day. Does it need to be like parting with life and death?”
Susan raised her glass, “David, good luck and much success.
The Robbery and Murder Division will always be your home, so feel free to come back anytime.”
“I will.”
“CHEERS!”