As I walked out of our home in Del Sur, I saw the red and blue emergency light bar and the unique profile of a marked SDPD unit rolling towards me. It is kind of funny police officers both past and present, don't really call police cars, "police cars." That is, unless they are testifying in court, and they don't want to confuse the jury.
The vernacular for a police car varies greatly depending upon what the vehicle looks like, what it is used for, and what is it capable of accomplishing. As an example our SWAT, Special Equipment Van is called an "SEV."
I laugh about it now, but many years ago I felt a sense of chagrin when I made the mistake of calling the SEV a "SWAT Van" in the presence of SDPD Police Lieutenant Jerry Sanders. Yep, the same guy who ultimately became our chief of police and the mayor of San Diego. Jerry, using his trademark gentle smile said, "Officer Shay ... that is called the Special Equipment Van." Jerry always made me laugh and though I never told him, I always wanted to be more like him. 
The SWAT SEV is loaded with lots of surprises for bad people, including barricaded and armed criminals, hostage takers and others, but it is a story I will never tell, because you want to keep those surprises...surprises.
What most people who are not in the business of preserving the peace might find interesting is cops and especially SWAT tactical officers have nicknames. I suspect it is a bit like Naval aviators.
Your police nickname is a call sign or name that refers specifically to you, but you never get to pick your own. It is the name sometimes whispered to you while other times it may be yelled out like when it is your time to buy the round at, "choir practice." Either way, better or worse, the name is all yours. Even if you get tagged with the name, "Cupcake."
When I saw the face behind the steering wheel of the marked unit, I broke into a broad smile. It was the friendly face of veteran SDPD Patrol Sergeant Mike Flanagan. I yelled out his nickname as he pulled into our driveway. After a brief conversation, I asked if our boys and my nephew, Christopher Mok, could take a picture with him (see right). After all anyone who 
has been in uniform for over 38 years will always be my hero. Mike has achieved what very few people ever have.
has been in uniform for over 38 years will always be my hero. Mike has achieved what very few people ever have.
I asked the boys what they thought Mike Flanagan's nickname was. The consensus was, "Big Mike." I told them Mike's nickname is actually, "Cupcake." A nickname he picked up when another officer named Mike Wahl saw him eating a cupcake as he walked up after a Copper Bowl football practice. Mike and I were both defensive backs on the San Diego Police Department football team. Mike had great skills but the name "Cupcake" stuck.
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SDPD Sergeant
Mike Flanagan
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Mike was always strong, big and fast, so it really is a true term of endearment. I then thought of how many years we were both on tactical operations together and how often myself and many other SWAT Commanders, rookies and fellow SWAT officers relied on Mike's calm and professional demeanor.
Twenty-eight years on the SWAT team and over 38 years as a police officer, makes Mike one of the most senior and experienced officers on SDPD. That is a very long time to carry both the physical and mental responsibilities of both assignments.
When I asked Mike how he survived through all those tough years, especially when we lost so many officers, he replied, "Only by the grace of God. So many of those tragedies occurred when I was off work or in another part of the city. I was fortunate."
Sergeant Mike Flanagan will be retiring in about six months, but both he and his nickname will not be forgotten.
Good luck "Cupcake" and thanks for allowing me to share both your nickname and your incredible commitment with a few thousand of the people you have helped to keep safe for so many years. That's pretty sweet!
Have a great week!
Ray and Theresa Shay
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