Sunday Morning With The Duke

John Wayne lived in Newport Beach when I was a policeman in that city. He was a big-time supporter of Law Enforcement and a friend to all of us cops. He contributed to our association. I was fortunate to have a couple of encounters with him during that time.  Below is the true story of one of those experiences; a very fond memory.

Sunday Morning With The Duke

Sunday morning police work
Generally puts a cop to sleep
Ain't much going on
Quiet; no one's making a peep

My black 'n white Harley
Lopin' along 'tween m'legs
Northbound the coast highway
Shinin' Dehners on the pegs

Riding warm inside my leathers
Another blessed workday
Sittin' tall in the saddle
Happy to be me today

Folks are all behaving
Traffic's real sparse and slow
An urgent call for backup
Comes squawkin' on my radio

A stolen car'd been spied
By a brother cop just north
He was pulling them over at Dover
Doors flew and two teens sprang forth

I accelerated while keying the mic
"43461 I'm two away"
Adrenalin kicking in
Whoo! Gonna be a good day

One ran inland up the hill
I pursued one towards the bay
Had to find him quick
This thief needed to pay

I searched for twenty minutes
Fog made me give up the chase
I began making a "U" turn
In front of John Wayne's place

When out comes The Man himself
My hero comin' through the vapor
I stopped offering, "Mornin' Duke"
As he bent for his Sunday paper

"What's going on Officer?"
He asked in his iconic tone
While tossing me his signature salute
This man, this royalty sans throne

"Tryin' to catch a car thief
Who ran into the Bayshore"
"Well I hope you catch the dirty varmint"
He smiled though as he swore

I never did catch that crook
But that pursuit weren’t no fluke
Seein’ as how I got a great story
Of my morning with the Duke

by Rik Goodell

© 2021