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This month, many years ago, I made the difficult decision to end an abusive and toxic relationship. After making that decision, things go a lot harder before they go easier! Thanks for the many angels who helped me along the way. I share the following letter that I wrote to the Duncanville Police Departement today (sent to Chief Brown). Below is a slightly edited version for FaceBook.
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Chief Brown,
I am not sure how long you have been in your position or in the Duncanville Police Department, but I wanted to say thank you as a person whose life was impacted positively by the Duncanville Police Department many years ago. Please share this with your team, as you see appropriate, as I imagine some of your current officers were involved and even those who weren't should know that people like me appreciate the work that you do every single day.
In 2003, I graduated from college in Nashville, and soon after, moved to Dallas for my first real full-time job. I worked on the business side of healthcare as a consultant, installing software to help hospitals collect money from insurance companies more fully and more quickly. As I settled in, after purchasing my first home in Duncanville (211 Azalea Lane), I became involved in some community activities, getting to know my neighbors, and participating actively in a church. Through this last affiliation, I became involved with a young man who, to be kind, was a wolf in sheep's clothing. In 2004, we were married, and by 2006, I found myself in an emotionally abusive relationship [details removed for this post]. I was alone (no family in TX and finding that my mutual affiliations with my soon-to-be ex-husband exposed me to further risk, I had to be very careful and introverted).
In August of 2006, I formally filed for divorce, kicked him out if my home, and changed the locks. His manipulation and abuse escalated immediately and he developed an obsession with stalking and threatening me.
This person followed me around, broke into my home, waited for me at home or work (after I changed jobs and started working for a hospital in Grapevine), and started a smear campaign against me among my newfound friends and church-goers. It was scary. He threatened to kill me. His father, a retired police officer in another town "mentioned" to me ... [details removed for this post]. I lived in fear. I would come home from work to find booby-traps set up in my own home, the home I bought on my own before I ever met my nemesis. I would try to take a car trip out of town, to see family or friends, and I would find him at the very same gas station, hours away. I regularly slept on friend's couches, friend's parents' couches, or wherever I felt a little safer at night, especially when I would find my home disturbed or occupied when I arrived home from work.
It was a very tough time in many ways, as you can only imagine. As a person of faith with a strong conviction for living a life of purpose, I prayed to my Heavenly Father each day, that I was prepared to die if it was His will, but that if I had more to do in life to please protect me and allow me another day to live.
I filed for civil restraining orders more than once, but due to my still being married for almost a year (as he refused to sign the divorce decree and even sought spousal support!), I couldn't sell my home, rent it out or flee as quickly as I wished.
During that dark time of my life, I regularly called the Duncanville PD, to report him trying to break down my front door or trying to break in through the windows in the middle of the night. I also called because I could see his car parked somewhere nearby (I would have to drive loops through my neighborhood, as he was frequently parked somewhere else while lurking about on foot). I would call because I thought I heard something in the night! I literally lived in fear that he would surprise me at any time (which he frequently did [details removed for this post]). He was always quick to run off or drive away before the police showed up.
Always, the police came within minutes. The dispatchers knew my scared voice and never minimized my requests. The police officers were also so kind to me and treated me with such respect and true concern. I felt a little like I was on a ridiculous reality TV show, relying on law enforcement to help me manage my disastrous personal life. But, no one ever treated me like that. Each time, they called me by name, asked if I was okay, offered to (and frequently did) stick around in their cars out in front of my house for hours following a call. One night, after a particularly alarming visit by my ex, an officer told me that the police department had already put me on a daily check, where at the beginning and end of their shifts and at other times, officers would drive by my house, to deter any unwanted visitors and to make sure they didn't see anything suspicious. I felt like I had a whole family of bigger siblings (in unforms and with firearms) on the ready, looking out for me. God answered my prayers of safety and peace in a few ways, but especially through the angelic service of the Duncanville Police Department officers.
I can't imagine what it is like to be a police officer and to face the unknown each and every time you respond to a call, pull a car over, or stop to check on something that seems suspicious. But, I can imagine how different my life would be if I didn't feel the support and safety that the police could offer me at a time when, as a citizen, I relied on it as a lifeline! I am certain that without the constant and speedy response from the police department, the outcome could have been much, much worse for me.
Thank you so much for your service. Thank you for the nights you don't get to be home with your families because you are watching out for lonely scared 20-something women being hunted in the dark. Thank you for the personal risks you take to uphold the law. Thank you to those who lose their lives or their ability to support their families due to altercations with criminals. Thank you for the emotional trauma that you must endure so frequently. Thank you for your sincere concern for the real people who need you. Thank you from me.
(Fast forward, I met a wonderful single dad and when I became a mom to his son when we married in 2008, I enjoyed the blessings of surviving that dark period of my life in order to be a mother to a sweet boy. Eventually, we relocated to GA to be closer to grandparents, siblings, and cousins for the kids. I had 2 more kids, and now we are expecting one more in March! I still work in healthcare, helping hospitals keep their doors open. At this turbulent time in our country, I am so grateful for my life and my opportunities. Yes, I have some PTSD. But, I survived and try to make a difference in the world, too!)
Sincerely,
Connie Brown Fackrell
She’s asking for help! Do something for this girl before we have another life taken due to domestic violence! She’s documenting everything. HELP HER !!!
So y'all refuse to help my cousin all because she is black and her child father is white 🧐
Does anyone remember when the movie "The Dirt Bike Kid" was filmed at the old police station on Center Street? Found it on You Tube and brought back some memories from 1985.
are you still patroling and writing tickets. just wondering. people are using west center street like a drag strip. i have had 3 wrecks in front of my house. one of them had a death. i believe that kid was doing 80 when he hit the guy. just curious.
Does the city/police department do anything about the illegal fireworks within city limits? They are awful tonight.
PLEASE tell us we aren't in danger of having our Duncanville PD shut down 😥
Hello Duncanville Police, what are you planning on doing in terms of training for what is happening? Here is what Cedar Hill Police Department is planing in doing.
Special thank you to Duncanville PD for making this birthday girls day extra special ❤
Does anyone else have a problem with an ice cream truck driving around their neighborhood? There's been one driving around for the last several days in the early evenings in the Lakeside Park neighborhood. Considering the Covid-19 outbreak, I think it's a health risk to our community. I believe the truck said Shake Shack on it.
If people are unaware the Duncanville police department has a safe exchange place for selling items on Facebook or other various apps. It’s very convenient. I recommend using it anytime you have the chance!
Check into this.
Duncanville, Texas Police Department
