LAWTON, Okla_Some new faces
on Lawton's
police force Friday. A team of police cadets graduated making the Lawton Police Department
eight officers stronger. Each officer completed a rigorous 23 week training
course where they learned life saving fighting skills while shooting, running,
grappling and even swimming. Many officers including a single female graduate
said they weren't sure this day would come.
It was her
third attempt at becoming a Lawton
police officer. Now, Officer Mary Lile said she never gave up over the past two
years. All along her husband, a Lawton
firefighter, stood by, encouraging her. She said today is a special day for
their entire family. Both she and her husband happy to be public servants
represented by the badges they wear every day at work.
Her biggest supporter
is also a known rival to the police department, a firefighter.
"Of course
they tease me I'm the other side, of course he teased me."
He is also
happened to be Mary's biggest cheerleader. Firefighter Tim Lile said he never
doubted his wife and knew one day she'd wear a badge.
"She's not
one to every quit, so even if she didn't make it on this year, she was going to
try next year, the more times you tell her no the harder she's going to try,
she's going to get it done."
Who better to
pin that badge on his wife than Tim himself despite being mistaken for a police
officer, but only momentarily. Mary admits the journey wasn't easy as she
overcame several obstacles and underwent a transformation.
"Being the
smallest one I had to stay up with the guys. I lost 30lbs. Three feet I cut off
three feet of hair. It could be used as weapon against me and it's hard to run
with that much hair in PT."
Tim said he and
his wife are eager to work with one another despite their occupations.
"We
actually have a really great relationship with the police department, we are
always happy to see each other out on calls so this strengthens that
bond."
A bond Mary
said may be passed down to their three children.
"One wants
to be a firefighter, one wants to be a cop and one a nurse."
Mary said her first day on the job will be Sunday night and that she's a
little nervous but eager to begin her new career.
