Vehicle Unlock with Injury

The police department from which I retired several years ago, just as the one where I work now, performed numerous community services. One was the unlocking of vehicles for owners who'd locked their keys inside. In those days we used a device commonly known as a "slim jim" or "lock jock" in order to gain access to the vehicles. This was a task we performed frequently so, when I was a new officer, I needed to learn how to use it.



I won't reveal the exact details of how the slim jim is used, but it involves sliding the long thin piece of metal down between the glass and the door to the locking mechanism. Once correctly positioned, a tug or a push, depending on the vehicle, will unlock the door. It isn't difficult, although most modern cars have provisions to prevent someone from doing this.

I was newly hired and riding with Officer Mark Overholser on an afternoon in 1985 when we received a call to unlock someone's car. Upon our arrival, Mark began speaking with the young lady who'd called while I attempted the unlock. In the process, I somehow got the slim jim hooked onto something that I thought was the locking mechanism. I pulled up as hard as I could in order to unlock the car but, instead, the slim jim let loose and came straight up until I'd stabbed my chin with one of the sharp corners. There was blood everywhere! Mark assessed the situation and said, "That's going to need stitches." He then drove me to the hospital while I held one of his old t-shirts on the wound. Who knows where that had been.

Once at the hospital I was welcomed by Dr. Peare and the Emergency Room staff. The doctor quickly sewed me up saying, "I've never put stitches into someone wearing a gun!" I'm sure the doctor did a wonderful job but, even so, I still have a small scar on my chin all these years later.

I thought the ordeal was over but it had only just begun. Upon my arrival to work the next day I received a lot of encouragement and support from my co-workers, such as the foam rubber slim jim I found tacked to the bulletin board under a note saying, "Rookie Unlocking Tool." And, when I'd receive another call to unlock a car, I would hear comments on the radio such as, "Do you need an ambulance to stand by?" or, upon finishing, "Any injuries?" I knew it was all in fun because, even though these guys were quick to make fun of me, they were just as quick to come to my aid in the many battles we would fight in the years to come. In fact, it was sad to see them go as they retired one by one. I learned a lot from those guys.