Police Officer Trades Badge For Combat Boots

A Tulsa police officer is leaving behind a career, a wife and two small children. News On 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright reports there's only one thing that could make him do something so drastic,

Monday, February 12th 2007, 9:18 pm

By: News On 6

A Tulsa police officer is leaving behind a career, a wife and two small children. News On 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright reports there's only one thing that could make him do something so drastic, patriotism.

Chad Moyer is 31-years-old and just signed up to join the military for the first time in his life. He leaves for basic training in two weeks, then will balance the role of soldier with cop and family man for the next eight years.

The attacks on September 11th, 2001 touched the hearts of many Americans. For Chad Moyer, the images went straight to his soul. He told his wife right then, he wanted to do more than protect and serve his city, and he wanted to protect and serve his country.

"It's an honor to be able to serve my country, serve my family and protect them,â€ Officer Moyer said. â€œIf I'm having to go to war or whatever, I'm doing it to keep the United States like it is now. It's a great country and I want to do my part."

Because Kristy was pregnant with their son at the time, he waited, and then they had a daughter. But, the desire inside Chad never left, so in December he signed up for the National Guard.

"Just the fear of him not being around has been kinda scary,â€ Chadâ€™s wife Kristy said. â€œIf he still has this desire, then it was put there by God so I know I'll be okay and the kids will be okay."

Their peaceful family life is about to be turned upside down, like so many other military families. Chad could be called up for war within a year, but he's not worried, even about his age.

"Everybody is teasing me, saying I'll be the grandpa out there and I know I will be. Hopefully, being older going into it, what I lack physically, I'll make up for with my head," he said.

His children may be too young to fully understand their father's decision, but they understand his basic mission.

"They know right now, with dad being a police officer that he goes and gets the bad guys off the streets. He's explain it that instead of getting them off the streets, he'll be getting them out of the world," said Kristy.

The Tulsa Police department has quite a few soldiers on staff. Chad's job, the same squad and the same days off, will be waiting for him whether he returns from training, or from war. He ships out to Georgia at the end of the month and will be gone three and a half months.