Getting into his patrol car, Eugene Police Officer Travis Palki checks that everything in his “office” is working properly. He refreshes the computer mounted in front of the passenger seat; it’s his everything, holding his dispatch log, GPS and programs for running names and plates.
It’s 10 p.m. and he’s about to start his ten-hour graveyard patrol shift. Energy drink ready, he pulls onto the nighttime streets of Eugene.
Palki is an east side wildcard patrol cop, meaning he’ll be driving all around East Eugene throughout the night going to any calls in that area, including the West University area. The streets are pretty quiet at the moment, and he can talk about what led him to the Eugene Police Department.
Growing up in a 850-person town just south of Eugene, he always knew he wanted to help people. Joining the military was his first choice straight out of high school. Marrying his wife Shannon just five days before he shipped out, he went on to serve for two years, spending his time in Fort Sill, Okla., Fort Bragg, N.C., and South Korea.
The two years taught him a lot, but in the end he decided it was time to come home and start a family.
“I really enjoy the military, but it’s always good to come home,” Palki said.
After his military service, Palki worked as a logger for a few years. Although it was a great job, he needed more stability. He met his best friend, Bob Howell, while working there, who fully understood the need for a transition.
“I know he loves the timber industry, but he needed to do the best thing for his family,” Howell said. For Shannon, the switch meant less danger and a better fit.
“I’ve always thought he should be a cop,” she said. “It’s a little scary, but at least he’s got more of a fighting chance.”
Much like his military duties, there is a lot of multitasking involved with police work. Listening to the dispatch, driving, looking at where other officers are and figuring out the fastest routes should they need him keep his mind constantly busy.
A lot of the men he works with are also ex-military, and it makes for a familiar atmosphere. Still, the biggest adjustment came from the change in hours. The job requires him to flip his life upside-down, typically getting off work around 7:30 a.m. every day.
“I sleep during the day while the kids are at school,” he said. “Then I’ll wake up, spend some time with them, eat dinner and then I’ll head to work around their bed time.”
This is still better for Palki than the day shifts with hours like 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Naps are crucial in his life, and on Sundays he’ll often try to stay awake to help on his day off.
Shannon, who has gone on three ride-alongs with her husband since he joined the EPD, is amazed by his sleep schedule and his ability to maintain it.
“Once it got busy, and I had to stay with him through the entire ride-along,” she said. “I ended up being awake for around 25 hours. I don’t know how he does it.”
At home, Officer Palki has two kids, 8-year-old Ethan and 6-year-old Olivia. As they get older, he uses as much of his free time to be with them as possible.
“Ethan is getting to the age where I’m starting to be able to teach him things,” he said.
Back in the car, he loves talking about his kids. Between the drunk driver sightings, robbery and loud noise calls, he is a proud father and a loving husband. He might not get to see his friends as much as he used to, but Howell understands.
“He’ll push himself to be the very best,” Howell said. “No matter what he does.”
This includes staying late to go after someone at 4 a.m., meaning by the time he’s done with paperwork, he’ll get home around 9:30 a.m. To him, it’s worth it. He’s doing exactly what he loves and making the best out of a tougher schedule than most.
“I’ve seen a lot,” he said. “But I really love my job.”