It was 1982 or 83 and I was a rookie assigned to JJ Jackson while
my T/O Preston Harris was off. Jasper's locker was next to mine and we were both in early for work in the locker room.
JJ asked, "SOSS, you ever been in the military?" I told him I was a paratrooper in the 1970's. JJ's eyes lit up
(as he was a former airborne troop) and he pulled his nickel plated, 6" Colt Python and yelled "AIRBORNE!!!"
In his excitement, he pulled the trigger and fired a 357 round somewhere
into the locker room. Once the noise and smoke cleared, and I changed my shorts, we tried to find the round, but could
not. Being the good trainee, I told him that I did not see or hear anything unless he said so. We started the
shift as any other, nothing more said.
A couple of days later, Lt. Roller came to roll call/inspection
and announced someone had fired a round into his locker, hitting his Malox bottle, which had leaked profusely all over his
uniforms. For some reason, he came directly to me and said, "Sossaman, you know anything about this?" Being a
rookie probationary officer and dedicated, I had to tell the truth. He repeated his questions several times, with the
same response. "No sir", I responded. That was the end of that. It was a personal secret between JJ and
I.
Those of you dispatchers around at that time probably will remember
the stink around that one! I recently heard JJ passed away. He'll be missed.
And to Lt. Roller, if we run into each other, I owe you a drink
and reimbursement for 2 new uniforms (at 1982 prices) courtesy of Jasper and I.
Dave Sossaman
The Hub 1982
(Dave, be advised, Lt. Roller of CPD is now Captain Roller at LASD - Congratulations Steve on your promotion) - webmistress
