Published: May 09, 2008 09:01 pm            

Palos honored Friday at retirement party

In a tribute to a 41-year Corsicana Police Department veteran, Lewis Palos was given a sleek black western hat, a revolver, a scrapbook of his decades with the department, a plaque, a watch, and a great deal of good-natured ribbing at his official retirement party Friday from the city.

Assistant Chief LaDena Baggett related his attempt to stop a runaway fire truck by riddling it with bullets, and Sheriff Les Cotten related the time Palos shot himself in the knee with one of Eddie Foreman’s customized guns.

Palos even made fun of himself a bit before offering his thanks.

“I don’t want to think of this reception as a farewell reception, I want it to be a Thanksgiving celebration,” he said. “I look back and I can see how God has guided me through the obstacles of my career.”

As an example of how he’s been protected, Palos told of a day when he and Jeff Schafer were at the stables to see a new horse for the mounted unit. The horse had been described as a “good horse, a kid horse,” Palos said.

Palos said he had one foot in the stirrup for mounting when his cell phone rang. Backing away, he answered his phone, allowing Schaeffer to step up and take the saddle.

“Jeff got on and that horse went to bucking and he hit the ground with a thud,” Palos described.

God’s hand in the event was that there was no one on the phone when he answered it, Palos said. “The Supreme Being has been taking care of me.”

About 70 people, cops, deputies, city officials and residents, were at the event which took place at city hall Friday afternoon.

Palos thanked the city and the lawmen with whom he’s served.

“They helped set the tone, because I wanted to be like them,” he said.

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Janet Jacobs may be reached via e-mail at jacobs@corsicanadailysun.com

        

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