Christian Family Services Ministry

6-21-2023 – A Word to the Wise – Often fearful things occur on patrol, but you do not experience fear until later. No, I did not tell my family about this for some time afterwards. I had indicated to Mary I was not doing this kind of thing anymore. She thought I was working peaceful parades, special assignments and investigations. After all, 20 years was enough, and I am nearly 60 years old!

It’s May 2001. 9:15 Saturday morning. I am between special events and working patrol in South Dallas by myself. Southbound 5000 South Lamar I observe a 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass on the East side of the street parked on the grass with no front license plate. The vehicle is occupied by two black males neither of which look at me. I immediately know something is wrong. Guilty people, especially criminals, avoid eye contact with the police. I am going rather slowly observing the rear plate. which I enter into the MDT to check for stolen. It does not have a front tag for this reason I can talk to the individuals.

Going up half a block I turn around at the railroad tracks to come back and talk to the occupants. As soon as I make my U-turn the vehicle pulls on the roadway. I am still waiting for a response from the MDT. The suspects turn right onto Haven and then on to southbound Central Expressway. I turn right onto Haven to follow them both of us picking up speed.

The MDT beeps its warning. Dispatch comes on the air, “2676 that vehicle is stolen”. I turn the air conditioning off, close the windows, turn the lights and siren on and start to pick up speed. (Closing the windows ensures communications will be able to hear me. Turning the air off increases potential horsepower.) Turn on lights and siren.

I reach for the microphone. ‘2676 in chase.’ ‘2676 location?’ ‘Southbound 5400 S. M, Wright on Boy Boy Tom 997.’ The Expressway at this point narrows to a single lane of traffic with concrete barriers on both sides. The highway department is working on the roadway. The thought flashes in my mind that this is the exact place a former partner was killed in a car chase. My focus narrows.

Dispatch comes on again “2676 that vehicle is stolen out of Houston last night the occupants are wanted on a series of armed robberies they are to be considered armed and dangerous. I floor the accelerator; “2676 start me some cover.” “ 341 we are in route but a long way off. “

My speed passes 95 MPH and I am gaining on them. The road expands into two lanes. “2676 is the helicopter up?” “1515 we are in route.” The passenger turns around and looks at me. He is a black, male with a red shirt.

The driver then makes a very bad choice. He attempts to exit to a side road at Illinois. I know it is a mistake for several years before I was in chase with another vehicle and made the same error. The road dips and there is a low curb which cannot be seen until you are on it. I had nearly wrecked out there myself. I start to slow.

Now exceeding 90 MPH the suspects attempt the same maneuver. They hit the dip, then the low curb, and head on into a concrete barrier. The vehicle goes airborne, flips end for end twice, and then rolls to the right hitting the ground. Oil, antifreeze, auto body parts fly everywhere.

“2676 the suspects have wrecked out 7800 S.M. Wright, where is my cover?” “2676 your cover is a long way off. “’363 we are in route. 311 we are in route. 341 we are in route. 363, 311, 341, you are authorized code three. The suspects are wanted in a series of hijackings and robberies in Houston last night. The suspects are armed and dangerous.’

“1515 (Police helicopter) we are above him and will provide cover until elements arrive.” I come to a halt 10 yards from the wreck and observe the two suspects moving around inside. Drawing my 9 mm I yell at them, to crawl out of vehicle. Both crawled out what had been the back windshield.

“1515, 2676 has two suspects on the ground at this location.” ‘ 311, we are almost there, 363 we are approaching on Illinois. 341, we are on the bridge, 362 we are at Overton and in route. 345 we are right behind 341 on the bridge. “

My heart is beating so fast I can feel it pounding in my chest. As suspect number one crawls to the side of the road a weapon falls out of his back pocket. ‘Touch that weapon and you’re dead.’ ‘Don’t shoot, don’t shoot!

The second suspect exits the back windshield a weapon falls to the ground Do not touch the weapon ‘Keep moving. Now spread eagle on the ground either of you move and you’re both dead. There is no doubt in my mind I will shoot them if they turn around.

The helicopter is now only 300 feet off the ground, and I can hear the welcome sound of screaming sirens coming from every direction.

Communications ask, “2676 have the cover elements arrived?” 1515, 2676 cannot reply he has two suspects at gunpoint. A couple of minutes later cover elements start arriving. ‘1515 cover has arrived we are going to channel 4. ‘

‘2676 to 1515 thank you for the cover. You’re welcome 2676, good chase. I look at the scene. The Oldsmobile is a complete loss, glass, gas, oil, and transmission fluid is everywhere.

Thank you, Lord, for delivering them into my hands. I remember my request when I left the station, Lord deliver evil ones into my hands for your name’s sake. It never ceases to amaze me. Not just once or twice but numerous times. I am reminded of I Kings 6: 17-18.