Christian Family Services Ministry

6-9-2023 – A Word to the Wise – During the first 20 years as an officer, I worked  in a very hard-core part of Dallas. The first few years were an intense learning experience. Most of the officers were very good, knowledgeable, and honest. There was one officer above all the rest that I deeply appreciated. He was soft spoken, intelligent, kindhearted in his interactions with the public. Also, he invested time with me and taught me some very important lessons. He trusted me to drive, most did not. More importantly he taught me about high-speed chases. I will recount the first one. Eight-three were to follow. These chases are not like TV. The sound, lights, smoke is unbelievable. 

I identify this officer simply because Paul tells us honor to those who deserve honor, and he is an honorable man.

December 11, 1981

Element 315, Elmer Reedy primary officer.

My first chase. It is 1 AM. Elmer had worked all day on his farm and is tired and wanted me to drive. He made it plain, to keep out of trouble.  He nodded off.

I had been driving a while and decided to go up to beat 313. I am Southbound on Fitzhugh when I observe a 1972 black and white Cadillac about a block away pull away from some apartments. He is parked on the wrong side of the road at 1400 Henderson, and no headlights. I am not sure what drew my attention to the vehicle to begin with but started following it.

I drew close enough to observe the tag and called it in. “315 rolling stolen”. Go ahead 315. “ WJD347, occupied one time.” He turns westbound on Haskell with me following. His speed started to increase 35, 40, 55, 60, 65, Elmer this guy is going 70 mph.

Dispatch comes on the air,“315 that vehicle is stolen.”

Elmer hit the red lights then the siren.

During this whole episode Elmer is calm, speaks clearly. giving direction, “roll up the window”, “shut off the air”. “Watch for cross traffic”.

 The suspect attempted to turn at East Grand and Haskell came to a halt in the middle of the intersection then took off again. “315. Northbound on East Grand.” The suspect turns left on Caldwell.”311, 341 cover 315 in chase.”

Elmer is calling out the locations, clearly, unhurried as the suspect goes through each stop sign. He runs over the sign at Phillips, continuing west bound on Garland Ave. Then a van pulls out and the suspect barely gets around him, nearly running over an old man in the cross walk. “Doc slow down, do not get to close”, Elmer called out! The siren sounds are magnified in the narrow streets. The red lights bouncing off the houses and windows of the passing vehicles.

Suspect then turned on to Bank, and Elmer knows it’s a dead end and warns me. “Dispatch the suspect hit the embankment wrecking out at Bank Street”. Elmer shouted for me not to hit him. I stopped our squad car nearly touching the driver’s door so the suspect could not escape.

Elmer puts us out. I jumped out and went around the front of the suspects’ vehicle pulling my weapon. Elmer goes around the back of the vehicle and sees the suspect reach for a gun on the floor. I jerked open the passenger door. The suspect is picking up a gun off the floor. Elmer yelled ‘gun’, Elmer jumped in knocking the weapon from the hands of the black male.

Elmer goes to turn off the lights and siren and put us out. In the meantime, I pushed the suspect against the vehicle and started to search him. At this point the suspect backs, up and starts to fight me. Elmer runs back and gets the suspect in a chokehold. He is a very big man, and he starts to wrestle with both of us.

We get him on the ground. Finally, I stand up and place my foot on his neck and apply pressure. Elmer gets him handcuffed. By this time a crowd is gathering. Two other squads arrived. I go to the vehicle and get the .38 off the floor of the car and unload it. I asked him who he had shot. He denied he has shot anyone, and states someone shot at him.

We got him in the patrol vehicle and start towards the jail. Checking out his record at the jail we learn he had a past record of 12 forgery convictions, sodomy on his 5-year-old, and 2 murders.

Records indicates that another officer had arrested him a year before in a jewelry robbery, with two suspects in which 20 guns had been taken. Two of the weapons, the .38, and 9 mm. were in his possession.  He is out on bail for those charges. Some justice system.  

We arrest him for unauthorized use of motor vehicle, carrying a weapon, possession of a stolen weapon, evading and numerous traffic violations, and of course, assault on two officers. As it turned out he is on parole and had a parole violation warrant.

I learn very valuable lessons from Elmer, things I remember as time goes by as I am involved in chases in the future. It always amazed Elmers’s calm and clear instruction trust and confidence in me. He is a Christian an acts like one.