Officer Down My Hero

November 30, 2008 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Vetting explained

Posted by:
Ryn

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Last updated: December 1, 2008

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

He will forever be my Hero.

He is recognized on the Policeman's Memorial in Washington DC.

Posted in Assignment:
Who is your hero?

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