Friday, 2-25-2011, the funeral service and internment of Capt. Glen Smith (ret. WFPD) was held in Walters Oklahoma. Several of us rode our bikes up to Walters and were representatives of the Blue Knights TX XX. Scroll down and join us as we pay our final respects to our friend and former co-worker. REMEMBER: IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE PICTURES BIGGER, JUST CLICK ON THE PICTURE.
Our friend and former co-worker, Capt. Glen Smith (Ret. WFPD 35 yrs)
When we met at the staging area in Wichita Falls Texas, it was 34 degrees with a wind straight out of the North. Above, left to right are: Curtis (Chapter Chaplain), Kenny and Bud
Above are Curtis, Kenny and Bud and our bikes as we wait for others to show up. Our Staging time was 9:30 a.m. with a KSU time of 9:45 a.m. Russ, when he arrived , would be today's Road Captain.
Since it was cold and I was wearing my heavy winter gloves, I could not get to my camera for any rolling down the highway pictures. So, we arrive at the First Baptist Church of Walters on OK HWY 5
We park the bikes and head in to the Church. In front of me walking are Curtis, Bud, Russ and Kenny is in front of Russ.
Parked in front of the parking lot are two WFPD Texas Police motors, as a Wichita County Sheriff Texas SUV
Up by the entrance to the Church are the rest of the WFPD motors. Sgt Wright talks to Russ as Russ looks at the bikes. Included in the bikes are two new Police Kawasaki Concours14 bikes that the WFPD is going to equip the Motor Unit with.
Looking back from the entrance to the Church at our bikes that we parked behind some police cars
Another look at our bikes
Looking at the front of the Walters First Baptist Church
I did not take any pictures in the Church for obvious reasons and after the service we were asked to move our bikes up by the entrance of the Church on the other side of the hearse from the police motors. We were to fall in behind the last family car. Above are Russ, Curtis and Bud
Kenny on his bike after he moves his bike in line with ours.
I get one of the folks to take a group picture of us by our bikes in front of the church. Left to right are: Kenny, Russ, Bud, Curtis and me (closest to the camera)
This is Marc, a good friend and former co-worker
This is Trish and me. She is in a trio that is very, very good. She said when they cut their first CD, I'd be sure to get a copy of it from her.
This Ken (our former Chief of Police) He is a good friend and he is enjoying retirement also..
This is Lt. Jimmy Eaton and Chief Robert Johnson of the Iowa Park Texas Police Department
This is our good friend, the ever happy and smiling, Arlene.
This is Trish and Marc. They are co-workers.
This is Wichita County Texas, Deputy Eddie Nahquaddy. Eddie is a retired WFPD Officer who now works for the WCSO. A good friend and former co-worker.
We get in line as they prepare to bring out the Oklahoma Flag Draped Casket. Left to right: Kenny, Chief Johnson, Cindy, Curtis, Russ, Officer Mickey Fincannon, WFPD Chief Dennis Bachman and WFPD Capt. Eric Russell.
Two of the WFPD Motor Officers, Off. Justin Miller and Off. G. Keith are waiting for the Hearse to move and they will be escort along with the other Motor officers.
We get saddled up. To my right are: Curtis, Bud, Russ and Kenny on the far end.
The view of the bikes and procession as we head toward the grave site
We arrive and pull in and park behind the WFPD Motors. That's Kenny with his back to me.
That's Curtis at his bike and Bud and Russ by the Police car.
We head to our position to line up as the family make their way to the grave site. That's Kenny (to the left front on my bike then Russ and Bud in line and Curtis still at his bike looking towards the gravesite
This is the WFPD Honor Guard Gun Detail lead by Sgt. Jim Jackson, from farthest in: Officer Gerald Morgan, Officer Dwane Powell, Officer Matt Bailey, Officer Cory Whited, Officer Justin Miller, and Officer Charles Casillas. Sgt. Jim Jackson is standing behind them.
The WFPD Motor officers in line. This end bike is the new Kawasaki Concours14 Police Bike that the WFPD is switching over to. They had been driving Harley's and the guys loved those bikes, but, to change back to Kawasaki's was a top Administration doing, I was told. The two guys riding the Kawasaki's said they love the way the bike rides and handles.
The Gun Details van and the grave site as folks listen in to the Pastor as he says some final words and offers encouragement to the family of Capt. Smith
Another view of the grave site and the two Police Motors to the right are the Motor division Supervisors, Sgt. Leland Wright and Sgt. Van Dotson.
This is the Councours14 letters on the new Kawasaki Police bike. When I was in Police Motors long, long ago, we rode Kawasaki KZ1000 Police Bikes.
Our guys line up. Left to right: Kenny (with the red bandana around his face), Curtis, Russ and Bud
The other side of the New Police bikes
The last three police bikes and officers. You can also see the Motor Supervisors to the front, the gun detail in the middle and the trumpeter and Bag Pipe guy to the rear.
The gun volley over with the Gun Detail is marched to the van and then released and they go to stack their shotguns.
Our guys (Blue Knights TX XX) far end is Kenny, Curtis, Russ and Bud.
The shotguns rest against the bumper of the van, carefully watched and with in quick reach of the detail.
Looking back at the Motor Officers & Bikes and Blue Knight TX XX members behind them.
Our Blue knights TX XX members representing our Chapter today are: left to right: me(President), Kenny, Russ (Road Captain/Director, Bud and Curtis (Chaplain)
We turned around so Matt could take a picture of our colors.
This is my son, Matt, of I am extremely proud of and me.
This is the WFPD Honor Guard Gun Detail from left to right. Off. Justin Miller, Off. Gerald Morgan, Off. Doug Powell, Off. Cory Whited, Off. Charles Casillas,Off. John Laughlin and Sgt. Jim Jackson. Thanks guys for letting me get a picture of you. You all did outstanding and looked very profession both at the Church and here at the cemetery. You are a definite asset to the Wichita Falls Police Department and excellent representatives of Wichita Falls Texas
This is the WFPD Motor Division, Off. G. Keith, Off. Justin Miller, Off. Ralph Piper, Off. Charles Mauck, Off. Mark Wise and Off. Justin Whisenhunt. (the two Motor Sgts. were elsewhere at the Cemetery). Thank you guys for letting me get this group picture of you. You all did outstanding today both at the Church, during the procession and again here at the Cemetery. You are a definite asset to the Wichita Falls Police Department and excellent representatives of Wichita Falls Texas
Following the Funeral, we (Blue Knights TX XX & Pappy n & Kelly) stopped at the the Feed Lot Restaurant in Burkburnett Texas to eat lunch. Walking to the door are Bud, Curtis, Kenny and Russ
Our bikes parked at the Feed Lot, Burkburnett Texas. Left to right: Russ's Harley Ultra Limited Edition, Kenny's Harley Ultra Limited Edition, Bud's Yamaha Venture, my Harley Heritage STC and Curtis's Harley Ultra.
The sign out front of the Feed Lot.
We wait for Pappy and Kelly to arrive and then was told to take a picture of how Pappy parked. LOL
Pappy and Kelly look at some folks from Dallas that wanted their picture taken with some Bikers. So we obliged them.
Left to right are: Kenny, Russ, Toni, Sherri, Bud, me and Curtis..
and one final shot of us with our Dallas friends: Left to right: Kenny, Russ, Toni, Bud, Sherri, me and Curtis. It was nice meeting you ladies. Give our best to Dallas!!!
We get inside The Feed Lot at the same time a bus load of girls from Abilene Texas arrive. They were in town for a baseball Tournament. Didn't get what school they were from, but the name of their team was the "Cougars".. How Prophetic.... LOL The waitress takes our order as Curtis looks on and Bud decides on what he wants
This is Kelly and Pappy giving their order.
To my right are Kenny, Russ and our waitress
Kelly takes this picture of me and Kenny, who is checking in on his phone. I did the same about a minute later
We finish eating and head to the bikes. That's Russ and Kenny at the bikes.
We head out and I put my light weight gloves on, since it had warmed up, and was able to handle my camera again while rolling. Here is Curtis as we head South on I-44. (It's really I-44 W but this part heads South)
That's Kenny and Russ in front of me on I-44
Behind me in the mirror shot are Bud and Curtis
We change lanes and get ready to pass the vehicle up in front of us. That's still Kenny and Russ in front of me.
As we get into Wichita Falls Texas, Bud gets over to take the Airport Exit. Bikes in front from left to right are: Russ, Kenny and Bud.
Curtis close up ranks and is now behind me. Kenny took the US287 exit as he was heading to Red River Harley Davidson. Russ continued South on US287 enroute down to Henrietta Texas. Curtis & I stayed together until he turned North on Taft at Southwest Parkway. I continued down Southwest Parkway to Barnett Rd and then to the house.
Curtis in front of me as we go into the curve under the Midwestern Parkway exit from US287
Last photo for today is of Curtis as we roll North on US281 (Henry S Grace Freeway)
It was an honor to be part of the funeral today of Captain Glen Smith. I know he will be missed by an enormous amount of people. But he was a Christain and as such, if they are also believers in Jesus Christ and are true Christians, then they will see Glen again. I know I will.
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Continue to pray for all of our troops, both in and out of Harms Way, especiallyl for Che Walker, Chris Drage and Fred Hughes, all of whom are serving in the Afghanistan Theatre Of Operations.
Until the next post, ya'll be careful out there, keep the rubber on the road, keep your head on a swivel and most importantly of all ...........................RIDE SAFE!!!................................JOHN
