A thunderstorm rolled into Odessa Saturday evening, though evidence of rain could not be seen or felt until Monday. Satan and his demons pounced upon a small West Texas neighborhood and prepared for what many Odessan's describe as the city's darkest day.
On Saturday, September 8th 2007, Cpl. Arlie Jones, Officer Abel Marquez, and Officer Scott Gardner dressed in their navy blue police uniform in preparation for another day of patrol in the city known for its oil production and high school football.
Of course, they all knew when they joined the police force that there was always the possibility of a shooting...with one of them shooting a suspect or the worse case scenario; An officer being shot. They vigorously trained in the preparation of a shoot-out with a gun wielding offender, but they thought...we all thought it would not happen here. Not in the hard-working, blue collar town of Odessa , Texas .
Both of the officers did not know when they answered a call of a domestic disturbance in the 2900 block of Ventura on Saturday at approx. 6:00pm, that in a half hour they would be meeting their Creator. When Cpl. Jones and Officer Gardner arrived, they met with the victim (the wife of Larry White) who told them that she was assaulted by Mr. White and that since the front door to their residence was locked the officers could enter through an unlocked back door to interview Mr. White.
As Cpl. Jones and Officer Gardner approached the backdoor with their duty weapons pulled, Larry White massacred both officers with a shotgun by shooting each in the head. A third officer (who volunteered for an extra shift due to the shortage of officers) heard the gunshots; Officer Abel Marquez jumped the fence of the backyard and exchanged gunfire with the suspect. Officer Marquez had to retreat bleeding profusely from his neck, arms, and hands into the waiting arms of his brother, Sgt. Pete Marquez (who had just arrived at the scene). He had to leave his fallen officers' bodies behind for four hours while the S.W.A.T. team negotiated with the demonic suspect.
Neighbors reported that Larry White was a quiet man and a hunter who drank once in awhile. If this story was not any more clichd I would not be surprised. The victim (Mrs. Larry White) stated that at one point she was in fear for her life and locked all of her husband's guns in the trunk of her vehicle. I guess she forgot about one. It was later reported that the suspect acted as though nothing happened. After he surrendered, he was placed in the back of an ambulance due to sustaining one
gun shot to the stomach from one of the killed or injured officers. Officials reported that Mr. White behaved as if he was not injured, for he was not in pain, and later asked for his reading glasses while being strapped to a gurney inside the ambulance.
Wow! This...this piece of humanity massacres two officers in cold blood and has one officer clinging for his life, has a bullet wound in his stomach, and ASKS FOR HIS READING GLASSES! What is it that is so important that he has to read while in the ambulance? I hope he was preparing his last will and testament.
While most of the community is law abiding, once in awhile Odessa becomes a rough town. At one time it had the highest murder rate in the nation in the early 1980's. The town occasionally had a shooting or stabbing, between irate relatives or neighbors, but never an officer killed by gunfire. The city's angels just did not allow that to occur within this blue collar community.
I knew and worked with Cpl. Arlie Jones personally and I knew he was a God fearing man. He was a police officer's officer. I would have wanted him for my back-up any day. Like the newspaper articles I have read recently, Arlie always had a smile on his face...this was true. He was always smiling, but he was always ready for work. He took care of business and was dedicated to his job.
I did not know Officer Gardner or Officer Abel Marquez, but I do know what it takes to put on the uniform and go on patrol day in and day out. There are many days that an officer works when nothing exciting occurs, but then out of the blue you may get in a car chase or a physical altercation with a suspect, or you might feel the gut wrenching in your stomach of having to answer a domestic disturbance call and having to arrest the offender of the assault and have the victim turn against you (the officer) when you make the arrest.
I can imagine that Arlie and Scott woke up Saturday night after the shooting and found themselves in a place quite different than the dusty, humid backyard where their human bodies fell. I know their uniforms have been replaced with robes of righteousness and the pain they felt has been replaced by overwhelming joy in a bright city with streets of gold where there is never any darkness.
I am sure that Arlie may have corrected Scott at first (because Arlie was a training officer), "Uh, Officer Gardner....you appear to be out of uniform." I am sure Scott turned around and said, "Cpl. Jones, you also appear to be out of uniform. And...where are our patrol cars? In fact, where is my radio, gun,..?." When Arch-Angel Michael appears and takes both of their hands and tells them that they need to stand vigil around Officer Marquez, it all starts to make sense in their minds.... and they know. They know that their duty is complete, their assignment is finished, and 10-42 (police ten code for end of assignment, or assignment completed). The protectors are now protected by their Creator.
**After note: Abel Marquez passed away September 12, 2007 while the funerals of Arlie Jones and Scott Gardner were being conducted. His funeral was conducted September 17th, 2007. May God bless the Marquez, Jones, and Gardner families while allowing citizens and officers of Odessa to heal, also. I really miss my co-workers.
George "Chris" Cole experienced life as a law enforcement officer with a tour of duty lasting over ten years in law enforcement. He is the survivor of two marriages, and continues to meet new people that provide inspiration for many of his articles and short stories. Many of his articles have appeared in national and local publications.
In 2008, Chris abandoned West Texas and its' "Wal-Mart Trees" (Mesquite bushes that grow plastic bags) to move to the green pastures and real trees of Fredericksburg, Texas. Chris continues to work and hone his writing skills while breathing the fresh air of the hill country.
» left by Jo Walker from Midland, Texas (2 years 38 days ago.)
Great article Chris! God Bless You! Respond to this comment
» left by Josh Williams from Crane, Tx (2 years 34 days ago.)
Very Moving and emotionally felt! I can sense your pain in your writing. Keep up the good work! Respond to this comment
» left by Naomi Rankin from Dallas, Tx (2 years 34 days ago.)
I am in deep sympathy for your town and its officers. May God bless you for writing such an emotive article. Respond to this comment
» left by Stacy Greenfield from Lubbock, Tx (2 years 34 days ago.)
You and your town will be in my prayers. I do not know what would possess a person to commit such a horrific crime, but I do know that God will dispense justice as he sees fit. Thank you for writing such a hear-felt and needed article. Respond to this comment
» left by Margaret Boyer from Midland, Tx (2 years 33 days ago.)
While reading your article, I was overcome with grief and I received goosebumps of awe! I read your biography and I know why you left police work. You have to write! My heart goes out to you and the officers and citizens of Odessa. This is a trajedy that you all will overcome throught the grace of God. Your article was very moving! Respond to this comment
» left by MD Froman from Tulsa OK (2 years 2 days ago.)
"How can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man?"
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
"As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths"
We have lost sight of right and wrong and death and ruin are the result,we make laws in contradiction to the word of God and call them right and then send young boys to oppress grown men in their homes?
The power of judgment belongs to Messiah only and Larry White may not be the one thrown into the lake of fire when judgment comes but you and I might be so speak of the dead and the condemned with equal solemnity or risk the fire of hell yourself.
» left by Chris Cole(920) (1 year 361 days ago.)
While Larry White may not be an evil person, he was influenced by an evil entity to commit such a horrible act on our police officers. I am not sitting in judgement, I am just voicing my opinion after living life as a police officer myself. God Bless and Thank You for your comments.
Chris C.
» left by Anonymous (1 year 298 days ago.)
Live by the sword, die by the sword. Respond to this comment
» left by Stacey Jones from Andrews, Tx (1 year 279 days ago.)
Wow oh WOW! This is a sad, yet inspiring article. I can feel your emotion with each sentence and each and every paragraph! Thank You so very much! Respond to this comment
» left by Anonymous (1 year 199 days ago.)
nobody made them fill out the application they chose the job lets drop this Respond to this comment
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