DEPUTY DOG

My Dad served with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department from about 1975 to the early 1980s. Most of the time he was in charge of the boat patrol and some school resourcing, although he did stints on the road and in the jail (for a year, I think). 1976 seems to early for him to have been on the boat, but it is possible. He was the oldest member of his class, and the best shot in the class.

Forgive the slightly stained photograph here of my Dad in his HCS whites from 1980.

BOAT PATROL

After Dad decided to get out of professional Scouting, somewhere around 1974, he joined as a deputy the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department. Along with stints in the county jail and on the road, he served (and liked best) his tenure on water patrol. This picture was taken in 1977. For many years this boat would be parked in our driveway, hauled around by a white Explorer. I think the bridge in the background may be the Sunshine Skyway, before it was knocked down. Dad is driving. Standing next to him is Tommy Bopp. The picture was taken by Dad's friend Cliff Smither.