• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Sandhenge Publications

Jim Potter, Author

  • About the Author
  • Author Blog
    • Sign Up for Jim’s Posts
  • Contact the Author
  • Read the Behind the Books Blog
    • Listen to the Audio Blog
  • Check Book Reviews
  • Sign Up to Receive Blog Posts
  • All Books

Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “Is My Dad in Heaven?”

August 5, 2020 by Jim Potter 4 Comments

https://jimpotterauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Sheriff-Fay-F.-Browns-Badge-Episode-37.mp3

· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge:

“Is My Dad in Heaven?”·

It’s Wednesday, September 21, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Mary Adella Albrecht must tell her two girls that their father is dead.

*

“I need to collect Pearl and Jewel before they hear from someone else of their father’s death,” said Mary. “I need to leave right now.”

“Of course, thank you for your help,” said Detective Salmon. “Again, our condolences.”

“Mary, I’d be happy to drive you, if you wish,” said Reverend Luckett.

“Thank you,” said Mary. “Let me see if Cora has time to accompany us.”

“We’ve got the jail covered without her,” said Sheriff Fay Brown, Cora’s husband. He was referring to Cora’s responsibilities as the jail matron and cook.

Suddenly, the crowded house began to empty. Fay left first to speak with Cora, who was on the front porch. Deputy Sheriff Martin Jolliffe was ready to continue his paper route after a long delay. He had been the one who discovered Harvey’s body on the floor of the house while attempting to serve him a petition for divorce. Even Chief of Police George Duckworth took the opportunity to leave. Once outside, Duckworth extinguished his smoking pipe, and took a deep breath of fresh air.

Remaining behind, but not for long, was Detective Salmon and the Johnson and Son’s undertaker team, including co-owner William H. Johnson.

Before departing, Mary noticed Alto Stearman, her neighbor, in front of his house. She stopped for a minute to tell him of her husband’s death and that he had killed himself. Stearman shared his condolences, then said, “I’ll look after the house.”

Shortly, Reverend Luckett opened his car door for Cora, who climbed into the back seat. Mary joined Luckett in the front. They would stop at the Oxford Café to pick up Jewel, 18, who was a waitress, before driving to the high school to notify her sister, Pearl, 15.

*

“What’s wrong, mother?” asked Jewel, surprised to see her mother with Brother Luckett “What are you doing here? Is Pearl hurt?”

“Can you leave with us, now?” replied Mary.

“What’s wrong?” asked Jewel. “Is it Pearl? . . . It’s daddy!”

Mary confirmed her guess with a nod. “Can you leave with us, now?” she repeated. “We’re going to pick up Pearl at school.”

“Yes, give me a second,” said Jewel as she began to untie her apron, “let me tell my boss.”

*

“What’s going on?” asked Pearl, noting the presence of Reverend Luckett. Having had two bothers drown when she was younger, her next question didn’t seem out of place. “Did someone die? Is Jewel okay?”

“Let’s talk outside,” suggested Luckett.

Outdoors, Jewel and Cora watched from their automobile as Pearl learned of her father’s death.

“It wasn’t an accident,” Mary said, “It was suicide. Daddy took poison while at the house. He was afraid of going to the penitentiary.”

Pearl turned to Luckett and asked, “Is my dad in heaven?”

“Your mother suggested we go to the sheriff’s residence and talk as a family about what happened,” said Luckett.

“As a family?” asked Pearl. “Fine with me,” said Pearl, “but that’s my only question. Is my dad in heaven?”

At Luckett’s automobile, Jewel was waiting for Mary and Pearl as they approached. All three simultaneously opened their arms, welcoming one another, closing the circle with fear and love. One of the girls, it sounded like Jewel, said, “I’m sorry Mama.”

*

The Albrecht’s and Brother Luckett sat in the living room of the sheriff’s residence. Jailer Jess Blanpied was in his office, in charge of the prisoners. Occie Phares Hamilton, Cora’s sister, freed up Cora by taking on the duties of lead cook for the evening meal.

Cora and Fay were waiting in the wings, talking quietly in the kitchen with Occie. They wanted to be available and supportive to the Albrecht family they had grown to love, but they also wanted to give the Albrecht’s private time with their minister.

“Do you think he killed himself from fear of going to the penitentiary, like he said in the note?” asked Jewel.

“That’s what he wrote,” answered her mother. “If I hadn’t filed for divorce, he’d be alive today.”

If Cora had been in the room, she would have put that theory to rest. She had already told Mary that Harvey was the violent one, that he could have also hurt Pearl during the physical assault. Mary did what was necessary. She was protecting herself and her children.

“Brother Luckett,” said Mary, “in Corinthians it says that God will not let us be tested beyond what we can handle. Did I do the right thing by seeking a divorce? I didn’t see another choice.”

“The scripture you mention, 1 Corinthians: 10:13, is often viewed as God giving us trials and tribulations to strengthen us. Actually, the scripture written by Apostle Paul to the Christian church in Corinth is about temptation, not about adversity.

“As human beings, at some point we’ll face things that are more than we can handle. The promise of scripture is not that we won’t go through hard times. Scripture promises us that at all times, good or bad, God wants to be our help and our strength.

“It’s not that God won’t give you more than you can handle,” said Luckett, “but that God will help you handle all that you’ve been given.

“We all need help at various times in our lives and God wants us to ask for help. God wants us to cry out in prayer, but we are also here to help one another. We were created to help one another.”

Pearl, quiet since sitting down, asked Reverend Lockett: “Is my dad in Heaven?”

“Yes,” answered Luckett. “I believe he is. Romans 8:10 states: ‘But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.’ God loved Harvey even if everything he did wasn’t in keeping with what God would have wanted.”

Pearl was quiet. She had mixed feelings. She also had other questions, but they would wait.

Jewel said, “He chose suicide over possibly going to jail? He chose suicide over us?”

“Suicide is a sin. It’s murder,” said Luckett. “But the underlying sin is one we all struggle with—lack of faith. He couldn’t see himself coping with his life any longer. Like many before him, he didn’t necessarily want to die, he wanted the pain to stop.”

“My sadness is mixed with guilt and anger,” said Mary. “Like Jewel, I feel like Harvey chose death over family. It hurts that Harvey left us the way he did.”

*

Until next time, happy writing and reading.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Blog posts Tagged With: Alto Stearman, Brother Luckett, Church of the Brethren, Deputy Martin Jolliffe, Detective George Salmon, Fay Brown, Harvey Albrecht, Hutchinson Kansas, Jailer Jess Blanpied, Jewel Albrecht, Jim Potter, Kansas Authors Club, Mary Adella Albrecht, Mary Adella Phillips Albrecht, Pearl Albrecht, Police Chief George Duckworth, Reno County, Reno County Sheriff, Reverend Luckett, Sheriff Fay Brown, Sheriff Fay Brown's Badge, William H. Johnson, William Luckett

Sign Up for the Blog

You will never have to check this site for the latest blog post, and you’ll get the latest and the greatest first! You will receive a confirmation email that you must respond to in order to be officially subscribed. Check Junk and Spam folders as needed!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarAlex says

    August 5, 2020 at 8:48 am

    Well done!

    Reply
    • Jim PotterJim Potter says

      August 5, 2020 at 10:21 am

      Thank you, Alex!

      Reply
  2. AvatarNancy Julien Kopp says

    August 5, 2020 at 11:03 am

    Well done, brought emotion to this reader.

    Reply
    • Jim PotterJim Potter says

      August 5, 2020 at 1:08 pm

      Thank you, Nancy!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Jim Potter, Author

author

Follow Jim on Facebook

Follow Jim on Facebook

Recent Blog Posts

  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Randy Henderson April 7, 2021
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Larry Leslie March 31, 2021
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Jim Fountain March 24, 2021
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Charles Heidebrecht March 17, 2021
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Calvin Sheppard March 10, 2021

Post Archives

  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017

What People Are Saying

Sean McArdle

Retired police officer Potter’s novel centres 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 give enough detail to bring the characters to life, yet not too much so as to slow down the pace of the developing story. A climactic event affects the main characters and it is at this point Potter’s deep knowledge of people and police procedures really hits home; page by page we read how a seemingly simple, though terrible occurrence, can have huge consequences. To Potter’s credit the story does not have a completely conclusive or simplistic ending. Instead it leaves the reader thinking about how the events of a single minute can affect lives forever. I would whole heartedly recommend this book not as a crime novel or even as a novel about crime but as a beautiful and positive affirmation about what it is to be human and how ultimately it is relationships which matter more than events.

Sean McArdle, Winchester, England

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:24:22-06:00

Sean McArdle, Winchester, England

Retired police officer Potter’s novel centres 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 give enough detail to bring the characters to life, yet not too much so as to slow down the pace of the developing story. A climactic event affects the main characters and it is at this point Potter’s deep knowledge of people and police procedures really hits home; page by page we read how a seemingly simple, though terrible occurrence, can have huge consequences. To Potter’s credit the story does not have a completely conclusive or simplistic ending. Instead it leaves the reader thinking about how the events of a single minute can affect lives forever. I would whole heartedly recommend this book not as a crime novel or even as a novel about crime but as a beautiful and positive affirmation about what it is to be human and how ultimately it is relationships which matter more than events.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/sean-mcardle/

Rebecca

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.

Rebecca from Proud Police Wife

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T11:41:14-06:00

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.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/rebecca/

Wynona Winn

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.

Wynona Winn, PhD, retired school superintendent

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:18:33-06:00

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.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/wynona-winn/

Denise Low

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.

Denise Low, author of Jackalope (Red Mountain Press)

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T11:31:21-06:00

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.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/denise-low/

Larry Kruckman

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 jail, art fair, powwow, rehab center, courtroom, albinos, and even someone in the throes of postpartum depression. So detailed are the descriptions that they must be drawn from the author’s personal experience. Besides the artfully created characters such as the struggling jailer and husband Tom Jennings, local artist Jesse Thomas, and Native American Joe Morningcloud, there is a tight story line that grabs your attention and won’t let go. Human tensions, love, conflict, joys and sorrows are all there. Magically, all the many pieces come together in a final crescendo, giving hope that even when we find ourselves in big trouble we can survive. This is a novel I highly recommend!

Larry Kruckman, Anthropologist

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:27:15-06:00

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 jail, art fair, powwow, rehab center, courtroom, albinos, and even someone in the throes of postpartum depression. So detailed are the descriptions that they must be drawn from the author’s personal experience. Besides the artfully created characters such as the struggling jailer and husband Tom Jennings, local artist Jesse Thomas, and Native American Joe Morningcloud, there is a tight story line that grabs your attention and won’t let go. Human tensions, love, conflict, joys and sorrows are all there. Magically, all the many pieces come together in a final crescendo, giving hope that even when we find ourselves in big trouble we can survive. This is a novel I highly recommend!
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/larry-kruckman/

Deb Theis

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 that the reader quickly becomes immersed and has a ‘bonding experience’ with each of the characters, feeling their joy, fear, passion and pain. Jim’s novel speaks to the empowerment of persistence with the characters as they work through their trials. As a therapist, I appreciated the heartfelt struggles from each of the characters and their diversity. I also found value in the novel’s understanding of society’s misunderstanding of both mental health and other conditions in which people struggle. The novel contains rich exposure to various realities that many of us do not know about . . . but should. When I finished this captivating novel, I was wanting to read the sequel! It was an honor and a wonderful, mesmerizing experience reading this book. Congratulations, Jim!

Deb Theis, LSCSW, clinical therapist/hypnotherapist

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:20:29-06:00

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 that the reader quickly becomes immersed and has a ‘bonding experience’ with each of the characters, feeling their joy, fear, passion and pain. Jim’s novel speaks to the empowerment of persistence with the characters as they work through their trials. As a therapist, I appreciated the heartfelt struggles from each of the characters and their diversity. I also found value in the novel’s understanding of society’s misunderstanding of both mental health and other conditions in which people struggle. The novel contains rich exposure to various realities that many of us do not know about . . . but should. When I finished this captivating novel, I was wanting to read the sequel! It was an honor and a wonderful, mesmerizing experience reading this book. Congratulations, Jim!
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/deb-theis/

John & Cindy Morrill

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 and the settings in which they live and work. It makes a story more realistic if you can say, I am familiar with the area; I know where that town is or I have traveled that street. It was easy to relate to the characters. In one way or another, I have met them all somewhere in my journeys

John & Cindy Morrill, 20 years Air Force retired, 17 years law enforcement

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:14:56-06:00

John & Cindy Morrill, 20 years Air Force retired, 17 years law enforcement

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 and the settings in which they live and work. It makes a story more realistic if you can say, I am familiar with the area; I know where that town is or I have traveled that street. It was easy to relate to the characters. In one way or another, I have met them all somewhere in my journeys
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/john-cindy-morrill/

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 illness. One of my favorite quotes from Taking Back the Bullet is “We’re all just a critical moment from being disabled or mentally ill, and we don’t want to think about it.” The novel also provides the reader an opportunity to gain a better understanding of how mental illness impacts the individuals, their family, friends, and society. Taking Back the Bullet is a story of forgiveness and overcoming life’s struggles and tragedies.

Morgan Penner

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:25:35-06:00

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 illness. One of my favorite quotes from Taking Back the Bullet is “We’re all just a critical moment from being disabled or mentally ill, and we don’t want to think about it.” The novel also provides the reader an opportunity to gain a better understanding of how mental illness impacts the individuals, their family, friends, and society. Taking Back the Bullet is a story of forgiveness and overcoming life’s struggles and tragedies.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/morgan-penner/

Dennis Perrin

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!

Dennis Perrin, educator

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T11:44:55-06:00

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!
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/dennis-perrin/

Rebecca Schillaci

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 . . .

Rebecca Schillaci

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T11:46:40-06:00

Rebecca Schillaci

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 . . .
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/rebecca-schillaci/

Sheryl Remar

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.

Sheryl Remar

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T11:47:46-06:00

Sheryl Remar

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.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/sheryl-remar/

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.

Jane Holzrichter

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:21:41-06:00

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.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/jane-holzrichter/

Steve Becker

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

Steve Becker

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:26:21-06:00

Steve Becker

I’m impressed. It was an excellent read. . . . I hope you continue with more projects in the future.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/steve-becker/

Diana Dester

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

Diana Dester

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:19:23-06:00

Diana Dester

Good story line, building the characters along the way. Great job!
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/diana-dester/

Karleen Wilson-Moon

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

Karleen Wilson-Moon

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:44:26-06:00

Karleen Wilson-Moon

Terrific story relevant to today’s social issues . . . well written . . . likable characters . . . insightful perspective from an insider in law enforcement.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/karleen-wilson-moon/

Judy Hawk

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

Judy Hawk

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:15:48-06:00

Judy Hawk

. . . I was impressed with the Native American information as well as the depth of character development . . . .
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/judy-hawk/
16
Sandhenge Publications

Copyright © 2021 Sandhenge Publications · Website by Rosemary Miller

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.