Contempt of Court

"it was frowned upon NOT to go."

So what. Let them frown. There is absolutely NOTHING, I say again, NOTHING they can retaliate against you for not attending the award banquet. If you feel somehow obligated to attend, then I suggest you put in for overtime and see how that goes over.

I have never showed up to receive an award, not even to break bread with the chief at Texas Roadhouse on the few occasions that I was bestowed the hallowed honor of "Officer of the month". I'm sure that the chief was somehow able to regain his composure and carry on despite my absence. And for the record, in 16 years, I have NEVER been retaliated against for not attending.

Look, if you need to convince yourself that they might hold some sort of grudge and you are afraid of the consequences, then I'll have to call B.S. on that. I'm more of a mind to think that you might somehow need to be publicly recognized for your act in order to feel validated. Let me tell you something. The guys that know and respect you, will do so whether or not you have been nominated for or been given an award. And the guys that don't know you or don't respect you could care less no matter what award you have been given. The bottom line is if you go, do it for your own reasons. Not because you think the chief will get mad. If you don't go, again, do it for your own reasons. Not because some slob you work with will call you a scab if you go. In the end, you are the one who has to search his or her own soul and decide whether or not you want to be put on display, shaking hands with the man that is trying to steal from your pocket, and pointing the finger of blame directly at you to boot. The bottom line for me is this, if you are getting the Medal of Honor for bravery above and beyond the call of duty, or if you are getting an award for handing out fans last summer, I personally would have more respect for anyone who does not go. You'll still get your award. You can still pin it on your shirt for all to see. You just won't have to take a bite of the sh!t sandwich that'll be on your dinner plate that night as the mayor says how much he appreciates your hard work and sacrifice.