THORNBURY: Saturday will be sad reunion for Frank’s ‘brotherhood’

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June 21, 2007

By JASON THORNBURY The News and Tribune Thu Jun 21, 2007, 04:47 PM EDT

A “brotherhood” is built through common experiences. As you enter a new job, you develop these common experiences and learn about your co-workers.

This was my experience when I started my first job right out of college. I was young and inexperienced with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and criminology. I had dreams of being a Secret Service agent, FBI agent, or a Federal Probation Officer. But I needed to start somewhere. I applied at the Floyd County Jail and was hired.

The real world was very different than what I had learned in school.

Booking offenders in and out of jail, passing medications, restraining unruly inmates — using mace when necessary — conducting “shake downs” of cell blocks, working court security, transporting offenders to and from the dentist/doctor/hospital . . . the list goes on and on.

It was not uncommon to receive a radio call from our main control center in the jail about a “10-10” (fight in progress) in a specific cell block. Holy cow! Every available officer would start running toward that cell block. Officers responding might have a bloody nose or a cracked rib ... and that was from fighting the other officers back trying to make it into the cell block to stop the fight!

The response time was always the same. As officers, some of us may not have been the best of friends (much like any family), but the second any of us was in trouble or needed assistance — you knew back-up would be there when you looked over your shoulder.

Practical jokes were plentiful, also. As you would use the restroom, you might hear the whistling of aerosol can spraying mace underneath the restroom door. By the time you stumble out the door, hacking and coughing, the assailant has disappeared. But when you walk in to the booking area, everyone is laughing and smiling at you.

I look at the group I worked with at the county jail, kind of like I do my high school graduating class. We all had a common experience. We all understood the trials and tribulations of working in a county jail.

A few have continued to work at the jail, while others have moved on to other law enforcement jobs or other endeavors. But all of us still carry that bond that connects us to one another.

I suppose that is what has made this week so hard. I believe that Frank Denzinger and I had that bond.

Frank and I worked together in the jail and stayed connected even after I left. Although our contact was mostly by e-mail in recent years, I know that he was special. He loved being a county police officer and loved this community. He was the kind of friend who would do anything for anyone. His loyalty and integrity were unquestionable.

Saturday will be a reunion of sorts for many of us who worked together at Floyd County, as we pay our last respects to Frank and to his family. Many are coming from as far away as Illinois, Florida and Indianapolis. I expect that Floyd Central will be packed with members of Frank's brotherhood.

I hope that all of you continue to keep Frank, his wife, his daughter and family as well as Officer Joel White and his family in your prayers.

Jason Thornbury is a resident of Jeffersonville and is employed by the Indiana Army National Guard. He may be reached by e-mail at jason.m.thornbury@us.army.mil

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