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Getting it off your chest
400 years since Galileo
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1,000,000 comments!Getting it off your chest
400 years since Galileo
Officer Down My Hero
My hero is someone I have never met or ever knew.
He was a
Police Officer with the
Knoxville, Tennessee Police Department,
many years ago.
He was a very kind, gentle, handsome man with ice blue eyes,
hair so very
curly and wavy. He was nick named Curley. Those that knew him best always called
him this.
curly and wavy. He was nick named Curley. Those that knew him best always called
him this.
He loved God, his church, his wife, two young daughters and
his job with all of his heart.
He loved to walk his beat, becoming friendly with everyone
along the way.
He never saw a stranger or ceased to lend a hand, if it was needed. Other officers were very excited about the brand new big Harley's joining the squad. This was to be the beginning of the Blue Hawks in Knoxville.
This man hated the idea of not being able to have the personal contact that having a walking beat provided. He was assigned a Harley and began daily rounds on it.
He never saw a stranger or ceased to lend a hand, if it was needed. Other officers were very excited about the brand new big Harley's joining the squad. This was to be the beginning of the Blue Hawks in Knoxville.
This man hated the idea of not being able to have the personal contact that having a walking beat provided. He was assigned a Harley and began daily rounds on it.
After a while of much protesting, he was given his walking
beat back. He told his superiors he knew his beat, his
people on the beat and could better
control and keep an eye on things walking.
On the first day back on his walking assignment, he was called
to a
disturbance at a local bar, due to a domestic disturbance. The bar owner had been arguing
with his very young girl friend and had gotten physically violent.
disturbance at a local bar, due to a domestic disturbance. The bar owner had been arguing
with his very young girl friend and had gotten physically violent.
In those days there were police phones out
on a pole at the street. The officer went out to
call for back up while the young girlfriend realized her boyfriend was going to be
arrested. Two other officers arrived a Captain and the partner of Curley. An argument broke into cross gunfire. The man was hit three times.
The young girlfriend put a bullet in the officers back..several days later he passed away.
This wonderful husband, father and police officer, who made such a
difference in the neighborhood and brought so much joy to others was gone.
call for back up while the young girlfriend realized her boyfriend was going to be
arrested. Two other officers arrived a Captain and the partner of Curley. An argument broke into cross gunfire. The man was hit three times.
The young girlfriend put a bullet in the officers back..several days later he passed away.
This wonderful husband, father and police officer, who made such a
difference in the neighborhood and brought so much joy to others was gone.
He left behind two young daughters and a grieving wife.
It is told that his funeral was the largest ever seen in the
county and the receiving line took many hours. They could not get
everyone inside the church.
This man was my mother's father, my grandfather, Herman
Rollins, also known
as Curley.
as Curley.
We celebrated my Mother's 80th birthday this
Thanksgiving. She was only eleven years
old when the apple of her eye was tragically murdered in the prime
of his life. My aunt was only eighteen months old. My mother has
never stopped grieving for her father or missing him terribly.
My grandmother struggled to raise her daughters on her own and
worked hard
all of her life.
all of her life.
The young girl declared temporary insanity and was released,
never serving any time. She married well and lived a very
comfortable life.
My brother actually had a conversation with her after he was
grown. She swore to my brother she did not shoot our grandfather.
She said he was shot in the cross fire and was killed by
police bullets.
My husband is a brother in-law to my grandfather's partner. I
was able to speak with him before his death and he told me the
story of my Grandfather's shooting. He told me many thought he had
killed my grandfather. He says he did not...I suppose we will never
know the truth.
I often wonder if it had happened today, if my grandfather
would have lived..and how differently all our lives might have
been.
I never knew him, but I feel like I have always known him. In
my mind even as a young child, he was my Hero.
I see his blue eyes and
curly
hair on so many of his grandchildren and great grandchildren, including my own son.
hair on so many of his grandchildren and great grandchildren, including my own son.
He will forever be my Hero.
He is recognized on the Policeman's Memorial in Washington DC.
In response to assignment: Who is your hero?
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