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Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Bury Me in My Black Clothes

August 26, 2020 by Jim Potter 8 Comments

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(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)


 

· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge:

Bury Me in My Black Clothes·

Final Episode

It’s Friday, September 23, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas, at the Johnson & Sons Funeral Home, 134 Sherman Avenue, east. The funeral service of Harvey E. Albrecht is starting.

*

As the organ music began, in a subdued voice, Funeral Director William H. Johnson, announced: “Ladies and gentlemen, we’ll be starting the service shortly; please take your seats in the chapel.”

W. T. Luckett, also known as Reverend Luckett, 37, prepared himself with a brief prayer by asking God for strength and for his message to be helpful for those in need.

One secret a minister often kept from his congregation was the amount of personal pressure a religious leader felt due to the responsibilities of the work. Even though it was a spiritual calling and personally rewarding, stress could weaken the best and the strongest of them. Fortunately, Brother Luckett relied on Sadie, his wife, to run the home, including the needs of their two sons, Russell and Gordon, while William was responding to the needs of the Brethren.

During preparation of Harvey Albrecht’s eulogy, William considered how he had failed the Albrecht family by not doing more to help them solve their domestic problems, specifically, Harvey’s uncontrolled anger. After Harvey’s suicide, Brother Luckett met with Mary—a widow—and her two fatherless girls, Jewel, 18, and Pearl, 15. Like a sickness, Harvey’s anger had spread to the survivors. Harvey and his earthly problems were gone, but his family was left behind, sad and agitated.

Along with the help of other church leaders, Reverend Luckett’s job was to support and lead his congregation. When duty called, he participated in a proper goodbye and burial for members of his flock. In the case of Harvey, Luckett, as always, had considered the type of sermon to give for the funeral service. Generally, he chose one of three themes: he would emphasize that the time was late and people must get right with their maker; stress the love of God; or delve into the mystery of the human experience.

But, today, for this sermon, Reverend Luckett decided he would address the needs of the Albrecht family while attempting to understand his own emotions. Simply put, he was feeling guilty and unworthy in his role as pastor. He needed to forgive himself for his own inadequacies.

Luckett had known for a long time that Harvey needed help, a spiritual reawakening, but he had been unable to provide assistance.

Reverend Luckett stepped to the podium and said, “Welcome to today’s service honoring Brother Harvey E. Albrecht. Thank you for participating. ‘Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted,’ Matthew 5:4.

“At today’s service we honor the life of one of our First Church of the Brethren members, Harvey Ephraim Albrecht, 51 years of age, who was a loving and faithful man. Harvey was born November 26, 1875 in Heidelberg Township, York County, PA., and died September 19, 1927 in Hutchinson, Kansas. His parents, John Wesley and Elaranda Juliana, are deceased. His siblings include: Ira Albrecht, Ovia Lefert, Jeremiah Albrecht, John Albrecht, Tempest Albrecht, and Grace Vian.

“Mary Phillips, wife; Jewel and Pearl, children; survive.

“Harvey E. Albrecht and Mary Adella Phillips were married in Abilene, Kansas, on Christmas Day, 1902.

“Harvey was a school teacher, and later, school master in Dickinson County, Kansas.

“In 1915, the Harvey Brown family suffered a devastating loss when two of their children, Olin and Eldon, died in a drowning accident near Abilene, Kansas.

“After relocating to Hutchinson, Harvey became a packer for the Carey Salt Mine.

“Ecclesiastes, 3:1, reminds us why we are here. ‘To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven; A time to be born, and a time to die; . . .’

“Let us pray. We just ask you Lord to help us today as we recall our beloved brother Harvey during his time with us. We know that he is with you now, yet we still desire to hold him, fearful of letting him go. Help us today to redirect our powerful emotions of sadness, anger, and loss, so that we will be free to celebrate his life and our lives on earth without regrets. This and all things are possible because of your forgiveness. We are reminded today of our heavenly journey. In your name, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

*

“Sister Sadie will now sing, ‘Count Well the Cost’ by Alexander Mack, Sr.”

*

“Brother Harvey knew God, talked with God, lived with God. He listened. He didn’t just ask God for help when he was weak. He didn’t wait until the last minute to ask for God’s forgiveness. We as a family have lost one of our own, but now he’s part of God’s eternal family. Harvey was a messenger who fought a good fight. We lost a soldier of Christ, but we gained an angel in heaven.

“Harvey is fine. Because he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior, he’s in a safe, loving place. But for others gathered here, I want to share with you about coping with the feeling of not doing enough, blaming yourself, or blaming others. Some of you are angry with God; God understands. Some are unforgiving. God forgives. God is love.

“Why should we forgive?” asked the preacher. “It’s necessary for our own forgiveness. Jesus said, ‘And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you for your trespasses.’ Mark 11:25. And in Matthew 18:21-22, Peter was told by Jesus to forgive another person ‘Until seventy times seven.’

“Many may ask, why would God do this or let this happen?” continued Brother Luckett. “This is a human question. We know that in John 10:10, God said ‘. . . I am that they might have life, and that they might have it abundantly.’ Harvey knows God as the Good Shepherd. God knows him as a good sheep, one who is saved and has found pasture and is forever part of Jesus Christ’s eternal love. Praise God!”

*

In closing the service, Sister Sadie Luckett sang “Breathe Upon Us, Holy Spirit,” as those in attendance said goodbye to Brother Harvey, filing by his open casket at the front of the chapel. Harvey was wearing his dress black clothes.

*

As Brother Luckett and Mary Adella exchanged words at the conclusion of the service, Mary felt relief amongst her tears. “Thank you,” she said. “Your God’s gift to our congregation. I felt you were talking personally to me, and I felt the Holy Spirit in your words. I’ve forgiven Harvey and I’ve forgiven myself. Thank you, Brother Luckett.”

*

Pearl was also moved by Brother Luckett’s sermon. Was it the circumstances and the setting of the funeral parlor that caused her to more deeply consider her life and afterlife? Was she weak or strong? She forgave her father for the times he had hit her mother. Pearl even forgave her father for killing himself. Brother Luckett was right, she couldn’t move forward if she didn’t give up the burden of anger and judging others.

After the service, outside in a light rain, Pearl said to Delbert, “Do you think you’d still like me if I didn’t wear lipstick?”

“Of course I’d still like you, Pearl,” replied Delbert. “It’s not your lipstick, but you, the person, I like. Would you stop liking me if all my hair fell out?”

Pearl smiled at Delbert. He was her best friend. She held out her hand and he took it.

*

Until next time, happy writing and reading.

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Comments

  1. Alex says

    EXCELLENT conclusion!
    RIP Everbody!

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Thanks, Alex!

      Reply
  2. Louise says

    A great end to your story. Thank you for sharing. Louise

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Thanks, Louise!

      Reply
  3. Nancy says

    Well done. Could we see more of Pearl and Delbert in a future story? The end left me wanting to know what happened to both of them later on.

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Thanks, Nancy. Yes, down the road they will revisit. they sure like Cora and Fay . . . and cherry pie.

      Reply
  4. Marilyn Bolton says

    Nice ending, Jim–I’m ready to read on!!

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Thank you, Marilyn. You are so supportive!

      Reply

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Karleen Wilson-Moon

Terrific story relevant to today’s social issues . . . well written . . . likable characters . . . insightful perspective from an insider in law enforcement.

Larry Kruckman, anthropologist

Jim Potter displays ethnographic skills in Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, creating vivid scenes and fascinating characters. The Greeks had a word for subcultures and people’s behavior: ‘ethos,’ or ‘ways of being.’ In colorful, sometimes marvelous detail, this novel captures various people and settings . . . the ethos of rural Kansas: a… Read more “Larry Kruckman, anthropologist”

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I’m impressed. It was an excellent read. . . . I hope you continue with more projects in the future.

Morgan Penner

Taking Back the Bullet is a novel that provides the reader with a window into the world of law enforcement. As the novel unfolds, the reader is able to see how split-second decisions alter the lives of the main characters in the story. Taking Back the Bullet also explores how humanity is impacted by mental… Read more “Morgan Penner”

Sean McArdle, Winchester, England

Retired police officer Potter’s novel centers on very disparate characters and through the tried and tested means of gradually introducing each one, builds a sense of anticipation about what is going to happen to them. This often used methodology is not easy to do well but is superbly handled by Potter who knows how to… Read more “Sean McArdle, Winchester, England”

Jane Holzrichter

I finished it last night around midnight. What a great piece of work. It kept me intrigued all the way to the end.

Deb Theis, LSCSW, clinical therapist/hypnotherapist

Jim Potter has done it again! After his book, Cop in the Classroom: Lessons I’ve Learned, Tales I’ve Told, Jim has written another great work. In Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, Jim Potter takes us on an insightful journey into the lives and relationships of numerous characters. Jim is such a talented storyteller… Read more “Deb Theis, LSCSW, clinical therapist/hypnotherapist”

Diana Dester

Good story line, building the characters along the way. Great job!

Wynona Winn, PhD, retired school superintendent

Three main characters walk different paths but with the same destination – each coping with his or her self-discovery, self-identity, and self-realization. Much like their earlier counterparts – Huck Finn and Holden Caulfield – their journeys are often joyous, often tedious and often tragic.

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. . . I was impressed with the Native American information as well as the depth of character development . . . .

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I enjoyed your book. When I am looking for a new read, I always read the first page, last page and choose a random page somewhere in the middle before I decide to buy it. You had me on all three pages. I also like reading a book where you can relate to the characters… Read more “John & Cindy Morrill, 20 years Air Force retired, 17 years law enforcement”

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I enjoyed the different stories of this book because Tom, James, and Suanna, the three main characters, represent in their own way the different struggles with themselves and society’s idea of what is normal.

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As a former law enforcement officer, I found the story very relatable as it details the life of a law enforcement officer and the struggles some face throughout their careers. . . Taking Back the Bullet is a journey of understanding, respect, and forgiveness . . .

Dennis Perrin, educator

Masterful storytelling, exquisite character development, so real as to HURT and HOPE, a real page turner. Begs for stage, screenwriters, and visual episodic development a.k.a. TV series . . . Thanks Jim Potter for telling it like it is AND providing us visions of how it could be. Well done!

Rebecca from Proud Police Wife

Taking Back the Bullet is an emotional, yet captivating novel. Jim Potter does a superb job of intertwining each character and putting their individual identities on display. All law enforcement storylines are a true reflection of Potter’s years as a police officer because they are realistic and relatable. This is a book I highly recommend.

Denise Low, author of Jackalope (Red Mountain Press)

Jim Potter is a cop, retired, but he brings deep understanding of this job to his novel Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery. This layered novel has literary dimensions as characters explore crisis situations. Congratulations to this fine writer for his debut novel.

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