This past weekend, the 4th of July weekend, was a "no tolerance" time for the Abilene Police Department, meaning anyone that was caught drinking and driving would have to either agree to a breathalyzer test or the police can take you to the health department and get a warrant for your blood.
"No tolerance" weekends during busy holidays are a new thing for the APD, but they've already shown success with the few that we've had this year, so I thought it would be fun to ride along with a patrolmen and record people agreeing to or refusing to take a breathalyzer.
The night started out very slow. Every driver that Officer Adam Becker pulled over wasn't drunk- just a careless driver (or in one case, was spending more time watching the cop in his rear view mirror than the road :) ), then it started raining.
At this point it was 2 in the morning and Officer Becker suggested that we head back to the station since drunks are less likely to be driving in the rain. I had already missed all "4th of July" celebrations that my friends were having and I didn't want to head back with little to show for my night, so I begged to take the 'long way' back to the station.
Officer Becker agreed and a few blocks later noticed a black pick-up driving with his high beams on. (Side note: most drunk drivers are not caught because they are swerving all over the road, they are pulled over for a smaller matter i.e. not using a turn signal, crossing the line, slower reflexes and when the Officer pulls them over, then they are often found to be drunk.)
Officer Becker turned on his lights, and the driver kept going, so Becker turned on his siren, in return- the driver sped up. He stopped at a red light and Becker quickly jumped out of the car, and from behind the shield of his car door, order the driver to turn off his vehicle and step out of the car. The driver rolled up his car window and to took off once the light turned green.
It was probably at this point that it fully hit me, "oh man, we're in a police chase!"
Officer Becker continued to keep the driver in our sights while calling for backup; within minutes a second patrol car was on the scene.
Following the driver my heart beat widely even though we never went above 40mph. Even though I have driven through that neighborhood many times, often driving faster, the slick roads, late hour and drunk driver in front of me added to my fear.
A third patrol car appeared from the other direction, it looked like we had the driver surrounded- but then the driver did the strangest thing yet; he pulled into a driveway, his driveway!
The night ended with Walter Morris being arrest for his 6th DWI, driving with license suspended, illegal drugs and evading arrest.
This was not my first police chase, but it was the first time for me to do a police chase from the police car!
For Walter Morris who spent the rest of the night in lock up, it probably wasn't a great night, but for me- it's one that I'll never forget!
Till next time- Courtnee
