Freestone County, Texas Reflections FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS SHERIFF 1965-2001 SHORT STORIES Tried to see the amusing side of law enforcement, many times had to laugh to keep from crying. There is very little I have not seen or done. These are stories from the past collected over many years, maybe times I would make a note and stick nearly anywhere. Sometime later I put some of it together. At one time the Sheriffs Office in very small room where our phones and radio equipment also located, I had young man, Ronny Alford from Teague dispatching; he was confined to a wheel chair and led a very protected life. The wife of one of the construction workers who came in to help build the generating plant came in, stil under the influence of a alcohol to make complaint on her husband whipping her. Ronny innocently asked her where, he hit her, she downed her slacks and underwear and showed Ronny; not knowing what else to do he grabbed the police radio and stared dispatching , I don’t who too. Before youngest son Ken old enough for school and Peggy working at dentist he would sometimes ride to town with her and I would pick him up and carry him home in the afternoon. On my in one in one morning there a big turkey buzzard sitting on a rail of bridge that that didn’t move when I went by, I thought,” Well some nit wit will run over it before the day is over”. That afternoon as Ken and I were going home sure enough the buzzard was dead on the bridge and I remarked,” well some nit wit did hit him”. Ken looked up and said “Mommy Did”. I wrote this in my weekly column for the local papers, and you can imagine the problems it caused. Once in a murder trial the defendant got on the stand and testified he didn’t intend to shoot this man; he just ran into the bullet. Any Jail is an education, learned a prisoner was able to pick new Jail locks and allowing prisoners in others cell. During this time a man who considered himself quite a Casanova spent a time one night with female prisoner who double ugly. They female who been released admitted it did happen, and when asked how long this went on the female prisoner after some thought replies with some thought “About Two Minutes”. The male involved had been a regular customer until this happed but when released never came back as had his reputation damaged. Once involved with very obese woman who had swindled elderly couple out of large amounts of money she threatened a law suit against me as when I arrested her in her car I told her to get her fat a-- out. Don’t think I would have lost this one as just being honest. Burglary of rural bank where man spent most of night trying to get in safe, found out next morning all he need to do was turn handles as wasn’t locked. Had regular customer in to do time and bring his own pillow, wanted to leave it when released so it be there the nest time. Woman coming in to do jail sentence called ahead to see if she could bring her PUSSY CAT house shoes. Made woman’s husband let her get her false teeth her brother paying for, husband scared she would start running around on him. Once had couple in jail at same time that had only one set of false teeth between then, Jailer let elderly lady eat first then he would pick them up and take then to the man. Prisoner being used to wash patrol cars doing poor job, Deputy told him he needed to use some Elbow Grease, he then asked the jailor where he could get some. Woman faking heart attack reported she having a “Canary”. Jailer scared not send her to hospital; loaded in very heavy rain, wrote me a letter telling me wasn’t no way in hell Leon Co. Sheriff Wilson where she from would have done that for her. She didn’t know it but this made my day. From The Original Sheriff Report Big time wrestling be in town be here for Fritz Von Erick along with son David who making his first appearance. Runaway girl and boy friend on burglary of camp house used in escape. Three separate tragedies in area lakes, man drowned in private lake north of Oakwood after riding pony into lake after cow trying to pen; then young Worthan man drowned in Trinity River after going into water to assist nephew. All bodies recovered but one which was located next morning. Inquests held at scene by Judge Ernest Jones, and Judge Haynie Ezell. Report school bus on fire, just hot and steaming. Baby sitting kids lying out late in Teague, guess gonna have to stay and put in coop until learn it’s time to go home. Long time friend Bill Parker blind recluse in shack at Curry assaulted And robbed and left out in cold Sorry to learn of death of former Navarro Co. Rufus Pevehouse who served 32 years as Sheriff and 10 years as Deputy U.S. Marshall. Quinlan man held man charged with rape of teenager, wife said if didn’t clear lie detector with flying colors he could kiss her goodbye. Report from mentally disturbed woman that a man had been shot and was lying in pasture, not correct. Presented copy of photo Former Navarro Co. Sheriff Cap Curington made with other officers including my Father where man given death sentence for murder of pregnant woman who was wife who received death sentence. With son James to 27th annual Wortham father-son Banquet. Attended many over the years, for several years supplied the Weather Goats that was bar b qued until coyotes put me out of business. Wife called wanting husband out of jail on drunk charge, knew her husband didn’t drink as he told her so. **** Grandpa’s Report Recently learned of Memorial for friend Bob Erwin who was former Fairfield Highway Dept. employee when the Freestone Emergency Corps was formed and worked well with the Department in many ways.