May/June 2011 Dallas Police Shield
Last month we spoke about some of the colorful characters that make police work so interesting. I recently received an e-mail from retired officer David Lane #2214. I always enjoy hearing stories from officers, both retired and otherwise. Lane spoke of our friend Herby Navarro that Charlie Tull wrote me about some weeks ago.
Lane mentioned that around 1968-69, IACP recommendations were implemented, and as a result all 4x6 book in cards were pulled. It was found that three guys, including Herby, led the pack for Drunk and Disorderly arrests since 1946. The breakdown for the three was one had 1200 arrests, the other 900, and the third, about 700-800 arrests for being what we called Public Intoxication in my day. It’s not known where Herby ranked but he was up there obviously.
Was PI different from D&D? I welcome any input on the question.
In a tidbit that would probably get you days off today, and an entry into the Dallas Morning News archives, reporters showing up as you leave the gym to interview you, etc. some officers would allow Herby, when he was taken to jail, put the arresting officers “out to jail” on the police radio. As we discussed last month, the dispatchers knew Herby, and would many times answer, “10-4 Herby.” Yes, for the good old days!
Herby was one of those guys that you just couldn’t dislike. He was a character, but somewhat dealt with by the good officers of the time with a kind of humor that is part of a police officer’s makeup. I’m sure there are others of this status out there today. I really hope so.
I know that when we retired officers get together, it’s all about how glad we are that we made it to retirement. I’m also sure that in these retirees, there is the thought sometimes that we wished that we were back working again. Maybe it’s the longing to be young again. I don’t know. It’s all about the memories my friends.
Today’s officers should cherish these times. Someday, one of them may be writing this column!
I want to take a moment and mention Captain Eddie Walt’s book, “The Hall Street Shoot Out.” I haven’t spoken to Captain Walt and I hope that he doesn’t mind me mentioning his book.
Most young officers today only know Hall and Thomas as a place to get rent free apartments, good looking women, and that there are some pretty cool bars in the neighborhood. Hell, I’ve been to the Rockin’ Taco in the area recently on my bike! It’s really changed. But when I got on in 1977, it was still a rough and tumble area. One of the first calls I remember is with Bill Turnage and I rushing up some stairs in the old hotel at Hall and Thomas going to a disturbance. However, on the other hand there was Henderson’s Chicken’ Shack that I remember as having the best chicken I’ve ever tasted!
Captain Walt’s book brings out the true flavor of the neighborhood in the late 1960’s. Many of the officers mentioned in the book are a “who’s who” in the annals of the Dallas Police Department. One interesting item in the book is the fact that at one time, because officers were accidentally shooting off rounds when loading shotguns, officers were forbidden to load their shotguns except away from the station. Well, guys were usually sent to calls as soon as they got out of detail, so they forgot to stop somewhere safe, away from the station, and load their shotguns.
At the “Hall Street Shootout,” several officers grabbed their shotguns from under the seats of their squad cars, and found that the guns were empty! The rounds were bound together by rubber bands; they never got around to loading the shotguns. Later, this General Order was changed.
Captain Walt’s book should be required reading for every Dallas Police Officer. You can purchase it at the DPA, and the Headquarters building. Check it out!
W.H.Croom, II # 3973 retired
dmntia1995@aol.com
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