THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 26, 1995 TAG: 9502220058
SECTION: REAL LIFE PAGE: K3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JANE HARPER, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
GAIL GREENIA doesn't worry much about whether her husband, a police officer, gets injured or killed on the job.
She's too busy with her own police duties.
Gail, a 40-year-old corporal in the Norfolk Police Department's internal affairs division, and her husband, John, a 38-year-old patrol officer, are one of about a dozen married couples currently employed by the department.
She joined the force 16 years ago when only a handful of women wore a city badge. It was a time when female officers were not well received. John, a 17-year veteran, was there, too.
They worked in the same department as patrol officers for several years without really getting to know each other. They hardly ever talked. Then one day, John stopped to offer Gail some assistance.
``I saw this police lady who was chasing this screaming little toddler and I drove up next to her and asked if she needed help,'' John recalled.
Gail, who was trying to stop the child from running into the street, thought John was patronizing her. She curtly responded: ``No thanks. I've got it.''
Afterward, however, friends introduced them and the pair began to spend time together.
They married 11 years ago and now have two daughters, Kimberly, 10, and Courtney, 8, in addition to Gail's 24-year-old daughter from a previous marriage.
``We just slowly developed a friendship first,'' Gail said at their offices at the Precinct 2 station in Norfolk. John says he was attracted to Gail's intelligence, wit and maturity. Gail says she liked John's sense of humor, easygoing manner and his way of thinking, which is much like hers.
While the couple describe their relationship as strong, they concede they've had tough times. Many came shortly after their wedding. Gail's then-12-year-old daughter, Jennifer, had to adjust to having a stepfather, and John had to get used to being a father.
``It wasn't easy,'' Gail said. ``It took some time, but they get along just fine now.''
When Gail gave birth to Kimberly, Jennifer was in the delivery room, too. John let Jennifer hold the baby first.
Sharing the same career has its pros and cons, they said, especially in such a stressful, dangerous job.
``I think it's to our advantage because we understand the shifts and the nature of the work,'' Gail said.
Gail recalled how she once got called to trail a suspect to North Carolina just as she and John were headed out the door with their daughters and a picnic basket in hand.
``I wasn't happy,'' said John, ``but I understood.''
Then there was her promotion to corporal, putting her above him on the chain of command. There was ribbing from the guys, John admits, but he knew better.
``I got a new truck out of the deal,'' John said, noting where her new pay raise went.
With their shifts often conflicting, they must keep a detailed calendar and be creative with their scheduling to manage a family life. This past Christmas, when John had to work, they got up early with the kids and opened presents before he left for the 8 a.m. shift.
The obvious question - Aren't you afraid for your partner's safety on the job? - is met with a shrug.
``We've worked together before so we know what our abilities are. You have to have faith in each other,'' Gail said.
Once, though, when John was transporting a prisoner, he heard a ``10-1'' call on the radio, which means an officer needs immediate help. He knew Gail was at the scene. But he couldn't respond until he dropped off his prisoner.
When he got back to the station, he saw Gail covered in blood. But he knew immediately it wasn't hers.
Although Gail wasn't injured in the scrap with suspected drug dealers, blood had splattered into her eyes. They feared that she could have been infected with AIDS or another disease. After 15 months of testing, though, they recently learned that she's in no danger.
What makes their marriage work, both say, is their mutual trust and respect, and their communication. They also socialize with their friends from church, so they don't end up ``living and breathing work.''
But what they enjoy most about each other is how they think so much alike.
``Sometimes we'll just pop out with the same comment and just laugh,'' John said. ``It's really amazing sometimes how much alike we are.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
CHRISTOPHER REDDICK/Staff
Gail and John Greenia of the Norfolk Police Department were married
11 years ago.
by CNB