A memoir of the service of Major Dale Barlow upon his retirement as a police officer following 30 years of faithful service to the citizens of Kansas City, Missouri. I am very proud of you, Dale.Introduction
Dale is eleven years my elder. A fact that I don’t want to be lost as you read this short book, not only so that he is reminded of that fact, but also because I cannot guarantee the accuracy of all my memories. My brother was married at age 20 to Janet Louise Redfern and moved away from our home. Even though we shared a bedroom for a time, we did not really begin a true friendship until I was a young adult. I chose not to attempt to confirm my memories but decided that a romantic view of my older brother’s exploits would be easier and probably more interesting. If my information is incomplete or in error, please do not tell me. I prefer, as his much younger brother, to keep my childhood fantasies of his greatness.
Wanna see what I learned today . . .
“Don’t tase me, bro!” When I heard those desperate words from the young University of Florida student who had disrupted a forum that was hosted by Senator John Kerry, I remember being thankful that this technology had not existed 30 years earlier. After Dale’s acceptance into the Kansas City Police Academy, I am sure he had no idea what was ahead for him. He was, however, learning the tools of the trade that would allow him to subdue and control those who intended to harm others. I never could understand why he felt it necessary to practice such tools on his skinny preteen brother, but whenever he would stop for a visit, I learned to fear the words, “wanna see what I learned today?” I was constantly amazed at the uses for a two-foot nightstick.
A car dealer, a dog, a fence and a broken leg.
Not understanding inter-department cooperation or protocol, I was curious, but not concerned when a Raytown policeman pulled into our driveway. I was in the garage and remember the officer speaking with dad, telling him that his son, Dale, had been injured in the line of duty. As a parent and spouse, I now understand that a police cruiser in the driveway is the most feared vision of anyone related to a police officer. I can only image the terror that Janet faced when the officer approached her home and the “relief” that she felt when the officer reported that Dale had “only” broken his leg. A routine call to a car dealership, a guard dog, a chase (that I believe was immortalized in a sketch by a fellow officer), a fence, a curb: all this culminated in a tense visit by the above officers to report the injury and summer’s worth of free lawn service provided by yours truly. (Actually, I can’t remember if they paid me or not!)
ADI questions about Officer Harold Barlow. . . a jumper thwarted
Dale and I both spent some time working at my dad’s company, Automotive Distributors Incorporated (ADI). When someone at ADI spoke of Harold, they were talking about our dad. But one morning, I was approached by several coworkers asking about a news report of an Officer Harold Barlow that had thwarted a young man’s attempt to jump from a bridge. Those that knew Dale asked me if that was my brother, some were amazed to learn that Dale was a junior, Harold Dale Barlow, Jr. I still don’t remember many details of what actually happened, but I was proud to say that Harold was my brother!
Ride along after graduation . . .
I had to take a nap so that I would be ready to stay up all night. I was 18 and could experience personally what my brother did to keep the streets of Kansas City safe. I entered the station and unceremoniously signed the release forms. (I might die that night!) I had looked forward to the citizen ride-along program. Things I learned: how quickly Dale could spotlight a rabbit on the side of the road, that crying really does work for a girl who is pulled over without a license, and how to light a flare. What I did not learn but wish I could have: how to unlock the shotgun when he left me in the soon very surrounded squad car in the projects. Most of the morning was spent lighting flares after we responded to an accident that involved a young lady folded neatly under her steering wheel after she hit a telephone pole. She didn’t seem to be in much pain since much of the floorboard of her car was covered with self-administered painkiller. The pole tilted precariously so we blocked traffic for the rest of your shift, even John Wagner, Sky Spy, complained of the utility work being done during rush hour traffic. Thank you for a memorable eight hours!
Pray, this one is dangerous . . .
The pressure from police departments on each coast caused many drug-producing gangs to move into the interior of our country, including Kansas City. As a member of the Support Unit and Street Narcotics Unit, Dale spent much of his career “busting” drug houses. When he visited us in Saginaw, Michigan, he would describe the floor plans in some of the older inner city homes that we lived near. I was reminded of just how much danger Dale faced when Janet would call and say “Pray today, I cannot tell you anything, but pray.” Many of the busts were far from routine because the gangs had reputations as “cop killers.” Pray, we did.
Commitment to grow . . . back to school
A job well done and a love for police work can only take you so far. Dale certainly had both, but a bachelor’s degree would be necessary for him to advance in the department. It is a challenge to return to school when you have a family, but Dale made the sacrifice of his time in order to achieve the rank of captain.
Chapel at BRCS
“Put on your uniform and deal with it.” Dale was never comfortable in the spotlight. When my wife, Karen, asked him to speak for a chapel at Blue Ridge Christian School, Dale hesitated. He was concerned that he would be able to command the attention of these young people. Having seen my brother in action as a police officer, I knew that when he put on his uniform that he was a police officer that was trained to command any situation that he may face. The solution was easy, put on the uniform. He did a great job sharing truth with the young people.
With brothers like that, who needs . . .
When Karen and I bought our second house in Raytown, we were blessed with neighbors that kept a constant eye on the house. If a light was left on during the night, we were sure to hear about it. We had lived in our new home for a short time when Dale decided to drop by our home one morning. Karen was incredibly embarrassed at the impression that his visit would have with our vigilant, observant new neighbors. He pulls into our driveway in his “unmarked” car and slowly approached our front door with his black jumpsuit with bold yellow letters that said “Street Narcotics.” Big enough to be seen without binoculars! I believe that we heard an audible gasp from their living rooms. Thanks for helping us make a great impression on our new neighbors!
Pictures say too much . . . images that haunt
We all carry tough memories of the challenges that our work entails. On one visit to Kansas City, Dale had pictures from a recent drug raid. I remember conditions that were not suitable for habitation. I have yet to shake the image of the precious little toddler that was living in that home, caged in a room by a dog gate and given little attention. The room was littered with diapers and plates of food, I can only imagine the smell. Dale, as you retire, remember that the work you did was often thankless, but you did make a difference. When the memories are hard, remember that fact!
If it needs to be done right . . . Computers and Y2K, Traffic and the election
I cannot get into the mind of the Chief of Police, but it seemed that when a job absolutely needed to be done right, Dale received the call. When Y2K threatened to shut down computers around the world, the police department is the last place that we would want to go “blind.” Not so much a computer nerd, but an effective leader, Dale assisted in making the Y2K event, a non-event. Presidential elections provide incredible logistical challenges for a big city in a battleground state, like Missouri. Candidates will make frequent trips and security must impeccable. Dale answered the department’s call again and served with distinction. His competence was confirmed when the Secret Service asked Dale’s department to assist in the security arrangements at a funeral for Senator Carnahan that would be attended by President Clinton and Vice-President Gore even though the funeral took place outside of Kansas City.
Another life saved . . .
"About the time I truly started to panic, Dale showed up and if it wasn’t for him, Rebecca would not be here today.” Whether on duty or not, Dale lived by the motto, “To Protect and Serve.” The quote is from the mother of a young child who nearly drowned at a family Independence Day celebration. While off duty, Dale heard the panic of a mother’s cry and performed CPR until the toddler began breathing again.
A leader of recruits . . .
Dale experienced the pleasures of a job well done as he served the people of Kansas City, but when assigned to Internal Affairs, he also witnessed those who abused their authority as police officers. He witnessed the personal choices of one of his mentors that destroyed this officer’s career and reputation. Armed with those experiences, he was well-equipped for his assignment as Director of the Kansas City Regional Police Academy. Following some misadventures among some recruits, Dale shared with these young men and women a lesson learned from his years of experience. He told them that to be effective civil servants, they must not let these four “L’s” control them: Lying, Lust, Lucre, and Liquor. It is an outline for a sermon that would make any Baptist preacher smile. I am thankful that my brother chose to live by the Truth he knows and boldly challenge these recruits.
“That’s just my brother and if you like, I can take him down!”
That is the thought that crossed my mind when Dale took me on a training session for the Police Academy at a vacant school building. When Dale and I entered a room full of young recruits, one snapped to attention and announced loudly, “Officer on the deck.” Each young person in the room snapped to attention until Dale humbly acknowledged them and gave them a brief pep talk. I realized that I had just witnessed the difference between the military requirement to salute rank and a spontaneous act of respect.
A role model . . .
One of the desires for my two teenage boys, Zachary and Corey, is that they will have many examples of godly men in their lives. At the top of the list, I am thankful for the impact of their Uncle Dale in their young lives. A book titled, Tender Warrior, offers a title that would fit their uncle.
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