Charlotte, NC

I’ve gotta hand it to Lyndsey Petrelli — she has a very fitting idea.
She’s spearheading a petition to have a new CMPD Memorial Park built in the Queen City in honor of all our fallen officers. If ever there were individuals outside the military on battlefield that deserve the accolade as well as respectful and thankful reflection, it’s our police (and, here, I must include fire) personnel.

Y’see, originally, there was a plan to build a park in the names and memory of Charlotte-Mecklenburg officers Jeff Shelton and Sean Clark. The two were gunned down in March. But the plan ground to a halt when Shelton’s wife opposed, saying that the main tribute to her husband should be a park in Locust (Stanly County), where the couple lived. Besides, there were those in the Eastside neighborhood (where the park would’ve been built) who wanted the school children to name it.

So Ms. Petrelli will ask the county to name a park CMPD Memorial Park for all area officers killed in the line of duty. It would include a smaller memorial to Shelton and Clark. She plans to meet soon with police and park reps to hopefully spark their interest in the plan. Believe me, this writer is all for it!

Of the supporters of this idea, the staunchest is probably John Shelton, father of one of the slain officers. While he thinks that, since the men were both working in and patrolling Charlotte when they were killed, a memorial in their names would be fitting, he believes a park honoring all officers (like the one in Tulsa, Oklahoma [see upper left photo]) would be even more appropriate.

As Charlotte grows both in population and business, our reputation is having a profound impact throughout the nation. The men and women of the police and fire departments are those in whom we trust to keep this all in balance as we grow. I’m proud to have a stake in each of these departments, from law enforcement friends (even one with my name!) to Pineville VFD Chief (and CMFD Captain) Bill Griffin, my nephew. And not one day goes by that prayer and positive, hopeful thoughts aren’t offered for these men and women!

So a park should … no — in the departed shields’ memory, must … be built.

SNOOPY-ING AROUND …

I remember, so well, my first encounter with the CMP chopper, Snoopy.

It was summer of 1972. I had left my work at Shoney’s on Woodlawn Road and was heading home to Yorktown Garden Apartments. The time was around 11 PM, and I was traveling by foot.
Just past Seneca Shopping Center was a patch of high, dry grass … and I had to negotiate it. Suddenly, I heard the unmistakable sound of a helicopter nearing. Looking up, I saw the searchlight emanating from it, and coming closer to me!
I didn’t know how I was gonna react if that thing had been beamed on me! Images from both my Army days and Star Trek (Beam Me Up, Scotty!) came to mind.
Then it happened. The light landed directly on me.
And Snoopy hovered.
Not knowing exactly what to do, I improvised and …
broke out in an impromptu song-and-dance.

And Snoopy had its first taste of Chuck Hinson …