The Deputy’s Story
Larry automatically reached to activate the siren and rooftop flashers as his dispatcher relayed that a fellow officer needed back up on a rollover auto accident. The location was about 30 miles from his current position. It was 10 PM in rural Idaho, and Larryʼs destination was in a desert like area of the county. It was now time to push his new Plymouth Fury 440 Interceptor as fast as conditions allowed. It was a serious situation as the dispatcher was also calling in an extractor unit to the scene of the accident. Now it was time to really push his brand-new Plymouth Fury.
The Interceptor had been charging ahead at 90 mph or better when heat build-up caused a blow-out of the right rear tire. As the car zig-zagged out of control, the Deputy fought desperately to avoid hitting utility poles and the urge to slam on the brakes. The whole experience seemed to unfold in slow motion until the vehicle finally was brought under control in a cloud of dust.
Still pumped with adrenaline, Larry informed the dispatcher about the flat tire which would delay his arrival . While still excitedly talking into the mic, a second vehicle and its driver silently appeared unnoticed until Larry got out of his car to begin changing the flat. When Larry emerged, the second man appeared at car side and stepped up to offer help with changing the tire. Offer accepted!
Larry and the stranger worked together like a well-trained pit crew. They replaced the tire in record time, enabling the Deputy to get right back on the road. After jumping in the car and quickly alerting dispatch he was ready to roll, he remembered to get out and thank the stranger for his timely and efficient assistance. It was immediately clear that the Good Samaritan and his vehicle were gone. Larry had a clear view of the terrain that night…likely close to 25 miles in all directions. There was no trace of a vehicle in any direction and even more chilling, no head lamp visibility anywhere.
It was now past 2AM. The accident scene had been cleared; the shift was over. Larry and his fellow officer were heading to Larryʼs house for pancakes which Larryʼs wife was preparing. She had talked earlier with her husband and was looking forward to hearing more about the eveningʼs happenings over the kitchen table.
So, Larry began by describing the stranger:
“He was just like any other local farmer, clothed in blue jeans and a work shirt. There was nothing about him that was distinguishing, unique or somehow other- worldly. He wasnʼt local though, or even a state resident as Idaho requires a front license plate and he didnʼt have one. It was difficult looking in the direction of the strangerʼs car as it had the most intense headlamps that I had ever seen! As I looked back into the blinding light, I couldnʼt even determine the make of his vehicle. Maybe an SUV? Not sure...and given this extreme brightness…how was it that when the stranger departed there were no headlights to be seen in any direction?ˮ
In all of his assignments as a Deputy Sheriff, Larry believed a Guardian Angel was always riding beside him. After recounting the eveningʼs experiences, his kitchen table companions could only agree.