 |
| Opie Sory My Buddy |
Lots of my friends were members of the Metropolitan Police Department and I had a chance to see them at their best and they’re worse. They are just like me and you but they ware a uniform and are held in a higher respect than the general population. I also learned that they are human and have all the fears and dreams and life problems just like you and I do. They have marriage, health, family, money problems as well as in a dangerous profession. Most has a second job because the amount they made as a policeman wasn't enough. I was a manager of a grocery department later on in my life and I made more money on my job as they made as a policeman. They see death and violence every day as they work. You may say, "well they knew that when they signed up as policemen." Not true, most start being a policeman because they though they could make a difference in peoples life's and most try hard to keep that thought in their heads to carry on the hope that system does work. Some policemen do make a difference but sometimes they think they don't and lose the feeling of purpose and satisfaction of being a part of a system that didn't seem to work for them . . .
Chester Duffield was a grand man and he was respected by many and loved by most, including myself. He was even tempered and knew how to make a difference in peoples life's. Many times he would go and give food and clothes to people he would meet as a policeman. That side of Duff was known by a few and then only because he was caught in the act of kindness or would ask for assistance from someone to do such acts. My momma and daddy and I helped him a few times to be a good Samaritan. Most of the people I speak about in this book are dead. Duff is one of them and he is greatly missed by many and also a system that needs good men not just policemen . . .
 |
| Duffield On Left Frank Hancock On Right In Kitchen At Pepe's |
There were other policemen who believed what they did was helping the community too. They look at being a policeman as a chance to make a difference in someones life. Frank Handcock was a nice gentle man but when he put the uniform on he went by the book, the book of good sense and justice. He would give chances but never let it happen twice with the same person. One of Duff's best friends, he was a sergeant in West Nashville Sector. I will never forget the funeral, it was the first policeman's funeral that I had been to, WOW. Every police car and motorcycles in metro were in the precision along some from other counties came too whether they knew him or not. I am talking about a two mile long line of cars. From that day on my impression of POLICEMEN was changed. The over whelming feeling off sorrow, was in my heart. Frank the man, was a sweet kind person but when he put the uniform on, he was a greater man in my remembrance. He made an ever lasting memory in my life for I will never forget the MAN . . .
I have many policeman stories. I could write a whole book on just those who were my friends and a few more of ones I knew that I didn't like. There was one who I hated. He was a type that thought that he was better than the others. He was a sergeant and new to West Nashville. He took Franks old job. I cant remember his name but he was after some of the better police for anything that he could get on them. Jaco's was a haven for lots of policemen. They could be human and not be afraid that someone was watching them to get them in trouble. Back then the curfew for beer was midnight. When the eleven o'clock hour hit the night shift was over and we could except the place to get filled with off duty policemen. We would lock the door at midnight and let them stay and eat and drink after hours. It was kind of a after hours club just for them and a few of our regular customers. The police would before they came in take off their shirts down to the tee shirt and take their gun and utility belt off and put them in their trunks . . .
One night the new sergeant came to the door and knocked. Someone made a mistake and opened it for him not knowing that he was after anyone he could get in trouble. He stepped in and announced that he was reporting everyone that was in there and that JACO'S now was off limits to policemen and if anyone got caught there he would report them to the chief. Duff met him at the door, he never came through the door just stood at the door. Duff told him I have been friends with Jaco for many years and that he could just go ahead and tell on them that we ( the people in there ) had no intention of staying away from there that was because the chief was a good friend to Jaco's too. At that time Duff knew that he was totally out of line telling then not to come to Jaco's. Duff also told him that he would just say, if asked, that he knew that the sergeant was a frequent customer in Jaco's and also told him that he had known the chief for thirty years and that he would believe him before he would you . . .
 |
| Badge Of Honor |
I want to say that today there are policemen in the news for drugs and stealing and well lets just say many offences and far and few between are the reports of not the good things that the men in uniform do unless they are killed on duty. Back then the police were respected and all seem to know what their jobs were. Today the news of a policeman gone wrong is splatted all over the news and makes it hard for the rest of the members of the department. Their motto is To Serve and Protect.That should be held in the utmost respect because one bad apple can and will make the whole department not trusted. So my heart and prayers go out to the people behind the badges. They are not supported enough as far as I see . . .
It may look like I over look some things about police but if you have ever had a policeman as a friend you know exactly what I am talking about. They have a soul and a heart that most people don't have and because of that, it is one profession that has a high rate of suicide. They deal with all the heartache and pain they see on a daily bases, each one differently. So if you see a policeman wave hello at them or buy them a cup of coffee or even a donut, no all kidding aside they do a job that is unrewarding at times and they could stand a few hand shaking just for doing the job . . .
 |
| PEOPLE who Protect and Serve . . . |