Northpinellas: Empty desk, proud boss await deployed officer

McMullen's job there, public information officer, is important to Police Chief Lester Aradi. But now McMullen is serving in Iraq as a U.S. Army major, and the job is vacant.

Aradi knew McMullen was perfect for it when he interviewed him two years ago.

"The only thing I will not do," McMullen said that day, "is lie."

"You're hired," Aradi replied.

But McMullen was called back to active duty more than a year ago, and then he was ordered to Iraq.

The Police Department got by for a while with a temporary employee. That person left, budget cuts froze the position and now the department just goes without.

But Aradi wants McMullen to know that his job is waiting for him when he gets back.

"The federal government guarantees his job, and we do, too," Aradi said.

After long months of wondering about McMullen's welfare, Aradi got an e-mail from him this week.

"Quick note from the other side of the world," wrote McMullen, 44. "Hope everything is going well at the PD . . . I am ready to come home and go back to work for you."

The Chief wrote back:

"Mac, God Bless You! -- Where ever you are! I keep watching the news like a hawk and wondering if you are all right and in good order. Your office is waiting for you . . . So hurry home safe. Your family here misses you."

McMullen responded:

"It appears that things are beginning to stabilize. Glad to hear my job is waiting for me . . . Send everyone my warmest regards and tell them they should be proud of their country and the Armed Forces.

"We are making a significant difference, for the better, in this country."

Now that the fighting is subsiding, McMullen could return in a couple of months, Aradi said.

Until then, "We all miss him," he said.

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