What Are Friends For?

charlie sherrill · #1 12-14-2013, 01:38 AM

Some of you guys know my friend Leland. He's a not so active member here who occasionally drops in if he's lurking and sees something that interests him. I've known him since I was a rookie cop back in the early 70's. I first met him when he was 17. That was 42 years ago. I don't know why I had this flashback but I did.

I had been working the evening shift (3-11) and after I got off I ran home, changed clothes, and then went and picked up my beautiful girlfriend who would later become my wife and the mother of my children. She was a criminal justice major at the University of Southern Mississippi and a lot of our late dates consisted of just being together after work and listening to my portable police radio at what was happening around town.

On this particular night she had classes at 10.00 a.m. the next morning so we went by a local restaurant around 2:00 a.m. for breakfast and coffee before I took her home. When we walked in I saw Leland and some friends. I knew him well enough to speak to him at the time, which I did, but not much more. We sat down a few tables away from Leland and placed our order. I noticed a rather shabby couple of guys walk up to Leland's table and begin a conversation that I couldn't hear. I then saw Leland point at me and the pair came over to me.

They were a Mutt and Jeff couple. Both were dirty and had longhair. At the time I was 6'2" 180 lbs. The largest of the pair was at least a head taller and 100 lbs. heavier. The runt of the two was a little guy about 5'3" and probably less that 110 lbs. Big Boy told me that he had been referred to me by the skinny blond dude (Leland, who is not so skinny anymore)) who said I might be interested in what he had for sale. I noticed that both of them seemed to be a little out of it but I asked what he was selling. Big Boy reached in his pocket and pulled out a handful of bright red barbituates he called "Red Birds". I told him I was interested but for us to go to the parking lot. I asked him how much and he told me $1.00 a hit. I told him to give me five of them. He did and I gave him a five dollar bill.

As soon as the transaction was made I showed him my badge and told him he was under arrest. Big Boy and the runt took off running. I went after Big Boy and my date went after the runt. She couldn't catch him but I did catch Big Boy. He threw a missed punch at me. I threw a few that didn't miss. I then grabbed him by his long hair and rode him to the ground. I kept him pinned down with a knee and a good grasp on that long hair until somebody could call an on duty cop for some help.

A waitress who didn't know what was happening came out and said she was calling the police. I told her "please do." My date came back after losing the runt and I told her to get some cuffs out of my car. With her help we cuffed Big Boy about the time the parking lot began to fill up with blue lights. The on duty guys loaded Big Boy. I told them I would take care of the paperwork in the morning and my date and I went back inside to finish our breakfast. A few minutes later Leland comes over to the table and tells me I owe him a dime for the phone call. We've been close friends ever since.

chief38 · #2 12-14-2013, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlie sherrill

Some of you guys know my friend Leland. He's a not so active member here who occasionally drops in if he's lurking and sees something that interests him. I've known him since I was a rookie cop back in the early 70's. I first met him when he was 17. That was 42 years ago. I don't know why I had this flashback but I did.

I had been working the evening shift (3-11) and after I got off I ran home, changed clothes, and then went and picked up my beautiful girlfriend who would later become my wife and the mother of my children. She was a criminal justice major at the University of Southern Mississippi and a lot of our late dates consisted of just being together after work and listening to my portable police radio at what was happening around town.

On this particular night she had classes at 10.00 a.m. the next morning so we went by a local restaurant around 2:00 a.m. for breakfast and coffee before I took her home. When we walked in I saw Leland and some friends. I knew him well enough to speak to him at the time, which I did, but not much more. We sat down a few tables away from Leland and placed our order. I noticed a rather shabby couple of guys walk up to Leland's table and begin a conversation that I couldn't hear. I then saw Leland point at me and the pair came over to me.

They were a Mutt and Jeff couple. Both were dirty and had longhair. At the time I was 6'2" 180 lbs. The largest of the pair was at least a head taller and 100 lbs. heavier. The runt of the two was a little guy about 5'3" and probably less that 110 lbs. Big Boy told me that he had been referred to me by the skinny blond dude (Leland, who is not so skinny anymore)) who said I might be interested in what he had for sale. I noticed that both of them seemed to be a little out of it but I asked what he was selling. Big Boy reached in his pocket and pulled out a handful of bright red barbituates he called "Red Birds". I told him I was interested but for us to go to the parking lot. I asked him how much and he told me $1.00 a hit. I told him to give me five of them. He did and I gave him a five dollar bill.

As soon as the transaction was made I showed him my badge and told him he was under arrest. Big Boy and the runt took off running. I went after Big Boy and my date went after the runt. She couldn't catch him but I did catch Big Boy. He threw a missed punch at me. I threw a few that didn't miss. I then grabbed him by his long hair and rode him to the ground. I kept him pinned down with a knee and a good grasp on that long hair until somebody could call an on duty cop for some help.

A waitress who didn't know what was happening came out and said she was calling the police. I told her "please do." My date came back after losing the runt and I told her to get some cuffs out of my car. With her help we cuffed Big Boy about the time the parking lot began to fill up with blue lights. The on duty guys loaded Big Boy. I told them I would take care of the paperwork in the morning and my date and I went back inside to finish our breakfast. A few minutes later Leland comes over to the table and tells me I owe him a dime for the phone call. We've been close friends ever since.

Great story - I hope you gave him the dime!

Mydogmax · #3 12-14-2013, 05:27 AM

I agree. I enjoy reading the LEO stories.

Cobroller · #4 12-14-2013, 09:36 AM

And that was the start of a beautiful relationship==with the wife, not Leland.

Glad you have not retired from writing your stories Charlie.

fat tom · #5 12-14-2013, 11:39 AM

You still workin' on the book? How's it comin' along?
f.t.

CordWood · #6 12-14-2013, 12:00 PM

Great memory for you, I am sure.
I met Leland on one of my trips down to see the kids. Seems to be an outstanding guy and your story just solidified that impression.
Butch