"I didn't ever want to grow up like my father as a father," he said. "Finally, I found out I can be a perfect father knowing what I know."

There were other influences in Babka's life, of course, but how did his childhood affect officer Babka when he went out on one of what he said has been thousands of domestic violence calls?

"I was very prepared," he said, "knowing family dynamics like I do. I think I was a better police officer, a better cop because I'd been through those things."

In fact, for a man who suffered as a boy, he conceded it was cathartic.

"It was in a way. I thought about the children. The children were the ones I focused in on. The aggressors, I would loathe. I wouldn't abuse them, but I was the first to put the cuffs on, put them in my car and take them to jail."

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E-mail: twalch@desnews.com