Where did your Father go to work everyday?

Dad was a hard worker and a very good employee. As a young boy, I remember him leaving the house in coveralls or work cloths. As I got older, I remember him getting dressed in nice pants, a short sleeved white shirt and a tie. He worked at McDonnell Douglas Aircraft and worked at the location in St. Charles called Conductron. It was an aerospace unit that made missiles and bombs for the government. He also worked on some space program things and was part of the SkyLab team at Conductron. I also remember him telling me that he helped do some testing work and design work on the cars that went up to the top of the Arch in Downtown St. Louis. When I was in Second or Third Grade, I remember that Dad came home one day and told us that he had lost his job at Conductron and that they had "laid him off". I remember that Mom and Dad seemed nervous but I really didn't understand what it meant. Shortly after this time, I remember Dad going to the Police Department and getting a job there as a Patrolman. There were times when I was outside playing and he would drive by in his patrol car and was keeping the neighborhood safe. His uniform was so impressive. Dark black shoes that were polished so shiny. He had a black gunbelt that was all leather that was polished often. His uniforms were tailored and pressed. His shirts were dark blue and his pants were black. He wore a tie and he had pins and a bright badge. He wore a hat that had a black shiny brim and it also had a badge on the top. When he would get inside his police car, he would take the hat and sit it on the seat beside him. Dad loved policework and it was his dream to be in law enforcement. His grandfather (Grandpa Griffin - his Mom's Dad) was a night marshal for the City and did work for the police department and the fire departments in St. Charles. My Dad idolized both of his grandfathers and they were very important in his development as a young boy. The layoff at MD was a great opportunity for Dad to get out of that business and step into the field of his dreams. Whenever I think about Dad, I think about him being a Policeofficer. He adored that profession and took his community service to heart. He was a leader and excelled at leading others and making smart decisions. He was a patrolman at St. Charles and moved up to Sergeant. He was then promoted to be the Public Relations Officer and it took him off of the streets as a regular patrolman. He took over as part of the management and leadership of the Department. Dad had an opportunity to take a position as the Major / Assistant Chief of Police in St. Peters when I was in my early years of High School. I think I was in 9th Grade. I remember moving Dad into his new office in Old Town St. Peters and it was a dump. There was literally hay on the floor of the office and there were horses in the back. It stunk and I couldn't believe that this was a big promotion for Dad. He stayed there the rest of his career as a police officer and passed away while serving. Dad was a good cop and he loved his work. There is a plaque on the wall of the Police Station in St. Peters that dedicates the new building to him and to his memory. The building was dedicated shortly after he passed away. The plaque states that he was true to his work, his friends and his word. I was able to speak and accept the honor on behalf of our family at the dedication ceremony. I have always been so proud of him - not only in his dedication to his work and how he went about his business but as a father and man. I adored him and miss him so much.