STORYTIME TAPESTRY

Special Treat    

April 7, 2005

The Patrolman

Bill Walker

wildbill6807@yahoo.com

I will not forget this man, even if I don't remember his
name. Seems like that is the case lots of times.  Years

go by, and this sorry thing happens every so often. 

You see this was a Missouri Highway Patrolman. He got
up that morning. Put his work clothes on, and never
thought this was for the last time. He would kiss his
wife, children and pat the dog.

 I talked to some people in Denny's after this happened
and they all know him. All you heard was none nicer. He
would come in set down and have a bite to eat from
time to time. And was a happy type of fellow. He worked
in and around Springfield, and every one liked him. Even
after you would get a ticket, in most cases just a talking to,

he made you feel like goodness. "I like this guy".

Well this morning he was on a four lane road going
south and east of Springfield, When he seen an old
beat up pickup truck. For some reason the guy driving
was something that got the patrolman's eye, he followed
the pick up and the driver turned on to a farm road
about 4 miles of Rogersville, coming to a stop.
Before the patrol car could come to a full stop. the
scum bag opened fire with one of those shoot em up
rifles that fire faster then a Tommie gun of bootleg
days. The patrolman never has a chance.
Well like I said, didn't know the patrolman. After all
we were visiting some relates there. But we were in
town the day of the services for this man who is one
of a few that stand to serve and protect the law
abiding.

I never in my life had seen any thing like it. Police
cars of towns all cross the state, and some from large 

cities, like New York, Chicago, Dallas, Houston,

San Francisco, Miami, and many others. Highway

Patrol cars of all states, Sheriff cars from cross the

nation.  Cars from Fed Government law
departments. There were even officers of the law from 

our friends to the north. The church was packed, people

lined the streets, traffic came to a stand still. None moved

But a long line of cars, over three miles long to the cemetery

on the southeast edge of Springfield, Missouri.

Well they found the slum bag that killed the man
about the day of the services. He begged for his
life. Worthless nothing, he fought every inch of the
way. all the way to the needle. But he did finely get
it.

People I know this much. No one likes to get stopped
by that Bear. But he's a human just like you and
I. Doing a job, he's putting his life on the line each
and every time he walks out the door. He's the one that
rushes the pint of blood to a hospital to save some
ones life. He's the one that stands out in the cold or
heat trying to get a mess straightened out on the road.
He's the one that may be the first to give a new born
baby and a first time mother a fast trip to the
hospital. He's a man of many arts. So don't cry too much
when he stops you for some stupid thing you just
did.  Maybe he just saved your life.

 Bill Walker

wildbill6807 @yahoo.com

About Me:

 Well I??™m a story teller, not a writer. Never learned the art of fancy English. I

happen to live in Nebraska, but I??™m still Missouri. Never married, all the Dollies I

ever took a second look at was too smart. Now at 74, just turned that other day, I

figure they all home safe. I love Doggies and Dollies in that order. Lost my two

true friends this year, that be Tinker and Poo. So I found me a new one. This

time a little girlie Peke. She is a normal female. Got a mouth,  talks all the time.

She will never be a great writers of stories like Tinker and Poo. They have

about 50 stories on HWS. And now writing back from Rainbow Bridge.

I just try to write about people, places and things best I remember. Have something

over 250 stories on HWS. under three names.