Highway Patrol 19xx.xx.xx Highway Patrol

Summary

Summary of "Highway Patrol" Episode

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host/Author: Harolds Old Time Radio
Episode: Highway Patrol 19xx.xx.xx Highway Patrol
Release Date: January 29, 2025

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Introduction

In the "Highway Patrol" episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, listeners are transported to the suspenseful and action-packed world of mid-20th century law enforcement. This episode captures the essence of classic radio dramas, featuring dynamic characters, intense chases, and emotional depth. The story revolves around Officers Pete and Craig Hollister as they navigate the challenges of patrolling treacherous highways during a stormy night.

Main Characters

• Officer Pete: A relatively new patrolman, eager to prove himself and learning the ropes of highway patrol.
• Officer Craig Hollister: A seasoned and respected patrolman, known for his adherence to protocols and deep personal connections.

Plot Overview

Setting the Scene

The episode opens with a brief advertisement from Dr. Dennis Black promoting Ruff Greens for dogs, which serves as a nostalgic nod to the era's sponsorship-driven radio programming. By [01:11], the narrative shifts focus to Officer Pete meeting Officer Craig Hollister on his new beat.

Building Relationships and Setting Tensions

Officer Pete reflects on the complexities of forming relationships in law enforcement, noting, "Sometimes it takes you years to get to know a guy. Sometimes on the highway patrol, you learn all about a man in 10 minutes." [01:11] This introduces the dynamic between the two officers, highlighting Pete's curiosity and Hollister's enigmatic nature.

As they patrol the slick highways, Hollister shares insights about the treacherous roads, such as "Millie's Hairpin," and recounts personal anecdotes, including how he met his wife, Debbie, during a high-speed chase [04:05]. These stories not only develop Hollister's character but also set the stage for the night's ensuing drama.

The High-Speed Chase

The tension escalates when Hollister spots a speeding convertible driven by a young, blonde woman [08:19]. Despite the dangerous weather conditions—rain and sleet making the roads perilous—Hollister aggressively pursues the vehicle. Pete observes Hollister's determination, noting his expertise: "If you park off the road on the ridge, you can spot the speeders coming down." [04:05]

Near Miss and Moral Dilemmas

As the chase intensifies, Officers Pete and Hollister struggle to apprehend the driver without causing further accidents. Hollister attempts to gain control by cutting their own lights to manipulate the driver's behavior, stating, "Turn off your lights... When she doesn't see her, she slows down a little." [15:14] This risky maneuver underscores the split-second decisions officers must make in life-threatening situations.

Despite their efforts, the convertible loses control near the riverbed, leading to a dramatic collision [10:12]. Hollister's quick thinking prevents a total disaster, but the aftermath leaves both officers grappling with the consequences of their actions.

Resolution and Reflection

In the aftermath, it's revealed that the woman survived, but Hollister questions whether he "killed her" [18:23]. The sergeant arrives, and the emotional weight of the night's events becomes palpable. Hollister confesses, "I thought the girl was you," [20:21] indicating a deep personal connection or a metaphorical realization about identity and duty.

Officer Pete reflects on the lessons learned, stating, "Yeah, I learned something," [21:19] indicating personal growth and a deeper understanding of the complexities faced by law enforcement officers.

Notable Quotes

• Officer Pete: "Sometimes it takes you years to get to know a guy. Sometimes on the highway patrol, you learn all about a man in 10 minutes." [01:11]
• Officer Craig Hollister: "Go by the book." [02:03]
• Officer Craig Hollister: "She's going to roll that thing in. Be all. That'll be all." [08:54]
• Officer Pete: "I killed her." [18:23]
• Officer Craig Hollister: "You better skip it, Craig. No, no. Now, you ought to know, baby. I want you to know. I thought the girl was you." [20:21]
• Officer Pete: "Yeah, I learned something." [21:19]

Themes and Insights

Duty and Responsibility

The episode delves into the heavy responsibilities carried by law enforcement officers. The officers' unwavering commitment to their duty, even in the face of personal risk and emotional strain, is a central theme.

Moral Ambiguity

The officers grapple with moral dilemmas, especially when their actions inadvertently lead to life-threatening situations. Hollister's internal conflict about whether he "killed" the woman highlights the fine line between enforcing the law and preserving life.

Personal Connections

Hollister's backstory involving his wife Debbie adds emotional depth to his character, illustrating how personal relationships influence professional conduct. Pete's observations about Hollister reveal the mentorship and camaraderie inherent in their partnership.

High-Speed Pursuit Ethics

The episode explores the ethics and dangers of high-speed pursuits, emphasizing the balance between apprehending suspects and ensuring public safety. Hollister's strategic decisions showcase the tension between aggressive enforcement and cautious policing.

Conclusion

"Highway Patrol" is a masterfully crafted episode that captures the dramatic flair of old-time radio dramas while addressing timeless themes of duty, morality, and personal sacrifice. Through the intense portrayal of Officers Pete and Craig Hollister, listeners are invited to experience the high-stakes world of highway patrol, where split-second decisions can mean the difference between life and death. The episode not only entertains but also provokes thought about the complexities faced by those in law enforcement.

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This summary encapsulates the key elements of the "Highway Patrol" episode, providing a comprehensive overview that is both informative and engaging for those who haven't listened to the show.

Transcript

[Dr. Dennis Black]

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[Officer Pete]

Sometimes it takes you years to get to know a guy. Sometimes on the highway patrol, you learn all about a man in 10 minutes. Like the night Craig Hollister checked me out on my new beat.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Boss, over here.

[Officer Pete]

I didn't answer. I was too busy sweating the grades. The wheel was easy in my hands, too easy, like it always is on a slick highway. My headlights caught the rain, and sleet slanting down from the path was steamy. Inside the patrol car, Hollister wiped the mist off the windshield. I thought of loosening my collar, but I didn't want to make a bad impression on Hollister. He didn't look like a police academy officer, but he didn't talk much, so I couldn't tell. I knew he was a good patrolman. They told me at headquarters, good patrolman.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Go by the book.

[Officer Pete]

I decided I'd leave my collar button. I wiped my hands one at a time, changed my grip on the wheel.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Curve coming up.

[Officer Pete]

I don't see why they need us on this road. Driver would be nuts to go over.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

30 people's feet anywhere. This turn's called Millie's Hairpin. It's licking the rain. Found four kids here in a station wagon after the last storm over. The last of them.

[Officer Pete]

Who is Millie?

[Officer Craig Hollister]

She went over the cliff in a model C five years ago. She's 60 years old. Killer. Not a scratch. Devil's Curl coming up. We've had three fatalities here this winter.

[Officer Pete]

I don't know if I'm gonna Like this, Pete?

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Oh, it isn't bad once you get used to the plums.

[Officer Pete]

You actually catch speeders on this hour?

[Officer Craig Hollister]

So I met my wife. She was speeding here. Pardon me. That's. This is 3122. Thank you. Joe, will you call Debbie and tell her to pick me up at headquarters? Okay. You better get down here before she does not like her.

[Officer Pete]

It's a safe around me.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

You old relic. She could break your arms. Hey, Joe. Yeah? It's awful slick up here. Tell her to take it easy on the grave. Roger. Out. Wow. This was pretty good.

[Officer Pete]

You wanted your wife to meet you. You gave the dispatcher a call on the radio. That was something they hadn't taught me at the academy. I had a hunch it wasn't exactly standard either. Maybe working out here in the sixth at Habit's Point if you didn't end up at the bottom of a canyon some night chewing on a piston ring. Or if your wife didn't go nuts feeding the chipmunks.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Well, I sure hope she doesn't try to break the record getting to headquarters. Not tonight.

[Officer Pete]

You say you caught her spe.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

See that stretch at the bottom of the grade?

[Officer Pete]

Yeah, I remember it.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

If you park off the road on the ridge, you can spot the speeders coming down. I try to get them before they hit the real grade and clobber themselves.

[Officer Pete]

That's where you met your wife, huh?

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Yeah. She was roaring down the hill with a car full of ponies coming back from a party Schweitzer was giving on his estate. All of them, right to the eyeballs.

[Officer Pete]

Including your wife, I thought so.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

I wrote it up that way.

[Officer Pete]

Well, then what happened?

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Well, the county judge thought otherwise. Debbie cried. And her old man, he wanted to treat her just like anybody else. Even if he had just given the county a new library. So the Dutch decided she'd never had a drink in her life. Wasn't a dry eye in the courthouse.

[Officer Pete]

You married her, huh?

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Best thing I ever did, I think. You're married, aren't you? Your wife don't like the mountains.

[Officer Pete]

Wherever I am, she likes this white.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

It's kind of lonely for a woman, Debbie says. Well, here. Here's the place I was telling. Out. Pull over.

[Officer Pete]

Pull over?

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Yeah. So wait here and follow her down.

[Officer Pete]

Why?

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Well, she still drives this great too fast. With me back of her, she'll take it easy.

[Officer Pete]

So I pulled over. Of course, even if it was quitting time, he was the boss. And if he wanted to baby his wife down the grade, it was okay. With me. I was tired and I could have used a cup of coffee back at headquarters. And I was trying to get my wife moved into her cabin. But the man said, pull over and wait. So I pulled over and waited. I even offered him a cigarette to show there were no hard feelings. He shook his head. In the flare of my match, I could see he was squinting up the road. His face was tired. Some of the roughness was gone. Ms. Joker was worried. He caught me looking and seemed kind of ashamed.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

She'll be along in a minute.

[Officer Pete]

Sure, yeah. No worries. Can't follow her everywhere, you know.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

You're in a hurry or something?

[Officer Pete]

No, no. I just.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

I'm getting a transfer. Debbie and I'll be out of these mountains next week. She's a good driver, but it's split tonight, so if it's okay with you, we'll just.

[Officer Pete]

Sure. I'm sorry. What's the matter?

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Look at those headlights up there.

[Officer Pete]

I twisted around in my seat. Half a mile up the grade, a pair of headlights stabbed over the cliffs. Seemed to hang there. And they whipped back to the road. Jerky, like when somebody's really floorboarding the accelerator. Then there was a straight stretch where the light swayed like the guy was skidding. Hollister, grip my shoulder. And then the light straightened out. Got brighter and brighter and further apart. The guy was practically flying.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Holy smokes.

[Officer Pete]

That's not your wife, is this?

[Officer Craig Hollister]

No, no. She's still a little wild, but she's not crazy.

[Officer Pete]

Hollister was big and a little older than me. He didn't look like he could move very fast. But he was nothing but a blur jumping out of that car. He was around the hood and swinging a flashlight in circles. Before I could even turn on my red light, the crazy headlights seemed to reach out at him. Hey, you okay? Hollister?

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Yes. Let's take him.

[Officer Pete]

Holy cow.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

I thought you'd have folks, but no cigar. He must be sponsored over the years. Get his bag.

[Officer Pete]

But I think I just seen it.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Was a convertible, that's all. Convertible?

[Officer Pete]

Yeah. Aren't you going to call a dispatcher?

[Officer Craig Hollister]

No chance. They ought to be flat near halfway house. 2429. This is 312-224.

[Officer Pete]

Convertible. All right. And I caught flash of the driver. And my heart is slipping. With a woman driver. Young, blonde, with a crazy grin on her face. I felt sick. I picked up the pieces. After a few wrecks down in the Valley. It's bad enough when it's a man, but a young girl.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

24, 29. This is 3122 copy. Where's the suitable possible 502? Three miles north of Halfway House. Just about ran me down. She's weaving all over the road.

[Officer Pete]

Be careful.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Roger.

[Officer Pete]

I got second s not here.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Take this curve tight, buddy.

[Officer Pete]

What did you say Driver? The woman.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

A woman.

[Officer Pete]

I say so.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Okay, after this curve you can drop loose for about 800 yards. Try to get me close enough to spotlight her light.

[Officer Pete]

Hang on son. You get the number now?

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Maybe on the next we don't need the number.

[Officer Pete]

What do you mean?

[Officer Craig Hollister]

I know the number.

[Officer Pete]

You know it? How come it's Debbie's car? Why you must be. Why would she try to run you down? She doesn't know what she's doing. What do you mean? Brian Blaster.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

She's going to roll that thing in. Be all. That'll be all.

[Officer Pete]

This guy was shook. Sliding through a turn. I caught a glimpse of his face in the light from the dash. He was staring ahead and he had that thousand yard stare I'd seen in Korea before an attack. I shivered. Well, where do we go from here?

[Officer Craig Hollister]

I. I could see it coming. I. I could see it alone in that house all day. It's why we were zone A Muslima city. But now it'll be too late. Step it up, Bart.

[Officer Pete]

Step it up. If we had time to change.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

I can't do any better than you.

[Officer Pete]

Stick with it and try try to.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Get her to the gorgeller curve.

[Officer Pete]

Heavy car she's got Craig like it.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Was glued to the it hasn't glued to the road. It'll roll just like the rest of.

[Officer Pete]

It'Ll roll happy a flagger down. How is he going to do it? She didn't stop for us. Maybe she didn't even see us. You want me to try to take.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Her stop here off now she her if she speeds up anymore she isn't going to prayer until her curves hang back. Don't press her.

[Officer Pete]

Then he did something that wasn't in he reached over and cut our growler. He flicked off the red light. I started to turn it back on and felt his hand on my wrist wave it off.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Maybe we're panic at her art. If she doesn't slow down now, she'll never make it.

[Officer Pete]

Then she started to turn on Killer's curses. It was easy to say she wouldn't make it. The roughest turn on the grade washboard. No bank to it at all. 100 foot drop to the river bed below. Hard enough to make on a dry day. But on a wet night. Murder. The daylight hesitated for a second like there was make up their minds whether to run into the hill or over the side. The car slid sideways, reared toward the river. She was going over back.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Oh, no, no, babe. No, no.

[Officer Pete]

I would put my foot on the cach. Out of the tail of my eye I saw Hollister cover his face. And then I was fighting to stay on the road myself. Suddenly, the miracle happened. She made it.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Now we had to do it.2429, this is 3001. We're a mile north, still unable to catch the 502. She's doing 75, so guess you start up. Won't try to box her. But be careful of it. This is2429. This ain't her. Yes, Roger. Okay, I see her light. Shutting up now. Down the tail. We can just say this easier between us. This between us. Watch him.

[Officer Pete]

Light glance on this. I'll try to take her again.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

What's your speed now, Craig? 73. We're a half a mile behind you. She's weaving. No, no. She's swinging left with the heavy car tapping. Be careful, Roger.

[Officer Pete]

She's swinging right. Happy, Let her by. Let her by. Let her buy. How are you going to make an old time patrolman let a drunk pass him on the road? No. Pappy tried to fight it. He tried to ease her onto the shoulder. The block long convertible against the patrol car was like a good pro. Featherweight against an amateur. Heavy. All skill and no punch. For a second I thought he had to run off the road. The convertible lurched back. The two sets of taillights got closer. And then Pappy was off the road, over the shoulder, bouncing and rolling down the embankment. I eased my foot off the accelerator. Train. Then. It wasn't as bad as it looked. I wanted to use the brake, but on that highway it would have been too.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

What are you doing?

[Officer Pete]

Going back with Pappy. Call a distraction. They'll stop her. It's just off the road. First we gotta get back.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Stay on our sail.

[Officer Pete]

You off your rocket? They'll stop her.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

My wife and I don't want her killed. Stay on her sail.

[Officer Pete]

What about.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

I said stay with her. I'm still running this season.

[Officer Pete]

But Pappy.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Go. This is 3122amile south of Halfway House. That 502 just ran Pappy off the road. Send an ambulance. We're staying on her tail. This isn't Joe and Sergeant J. Py.

[Officer Pete]

Setting up a roadblock outside headquarters. She won't get through it. Go back and help Papy.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

What? What kind of roadblocks. The one just like shooting at a woman.

[Officer Pete]

If she tries to run this block.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

We'Ll shoot at her. Now get back to p. Sergeant.

[Officer Pete]

Sergeant, that girl is.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Don't worry about the girl.

[Officer Pete]

I'll take care of her.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

You get back to Pappy. It's Debbie. Yeah. I'm sorry.

[Officer Pete]

Hollister just run my best man off the road. Said she almost hit you.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Truck cars coming up the lower grade. You're one of them if we don't stop it. So we'll stop her if we have to. Blast her off the road.

[Officer Pete]

I felt sorry for the man beside me. I knew what was happening outside headquarters. A couple of patrol cars rolling into position. Spotlights pointed up the grade. Guys drawing automatic rifles, maybe shotguns. Flares set out further down the hill. A reception committee for Craig Hollister's wife. Not what he'd planned when he'd asked her to meet him at headquarters. But there was nothing I could do. I slowed carefully.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Keep going. Now, look. Keep going.

[Officer Pete]

You heard the sergeant. Pappy might be bleeding.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

He's only a quarter mile from Halfway House. They can do as much for him as we can. You stay on her tail. I can't run into this. And I said stay with her. You understand?

[Officer Pete]

Craig, I can't. They'll suspect me.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Don't make me pull my gun on you. Watch his next curtain.

[Officer Pete]

What can we do?

[Officer Craig Hollister]

We can't. If she tries to run the barricade, they'll blow her apart.

[Officer Pete]

If she. Hang on. If she doesn't slow down, she won't even get to the barricade. Turn off your lights. Turn off my lights? Right.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Turn off your lights. When she doesn't see her, she slows down a little.

[Officer Pete]

How am I going to see? Use her lights. Her life. Fine, great. But what if there was something coming up the grave? I wondered if Hollister had gone nuts. I shot a look at him. He was peering ahead and he seemed to have got a hold of himself. I didn't really think he'd pull a gun on me. But suddenly I knew I'd go along with whatever he was trying to do. Even if it cost me my bed. I flipped off the lights. It seemed to help. The car ahead lost some of its craz.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Fear for daning. Slow. Slow and easy. Bump it. Okay. Use this stretch here.

[Officer Pete]

Gaining. All right. So what good is it? She makes this turn, she's still only got a mile to the barricade.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

That a car coming?

[Officer Pete]

I trust that. Get over. Get over. Watch it. Get your lights on now. Catcher Every time I put on another mile an hour, we start to drive to get closer.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

I'll never do it from here.

[Officer Pete]

Close to the man says. I was already pushing 80. My arms and eyes ached from the strain. The range was still too far. Unless he was aiming for a lucky hit or an unlucky catcher.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

By that stretch in front of headquarters.

[Officer Pete]

Well, that made sense. Was the only level shoulder in the grade. If he was going to shoot out a tire, it'd have to be there. But that was where the barricade was. I would just have to get at the side of it. Hollister rolled down the window and I felt a spray of rain on my face. Suddenly I spotted the barricade spotlight.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

She's rolling, honey.

[Officer Pete]

Putting on speed. I can't wait any longer. The rains were just too great. It had to be her rear tire. If she went off the other way, she'd be killed. And if the ricochet got her, she'd be killed anyway. But she was just too far away. Suddenly, not really wanting to, I jammed down the accelerator. At least I could give him a last chance. The rear end swayed and lurched. My hands were sweaty with fear. And that did it. The heavy car began to burn, hesitated and headed for the shoulder. Asleep when it hit the dirt, half turned and went. I skid it all the way through the roadblock. It took me so long to get stopped and turned around as the guys from the barricade beat us back to the crash. But it was just as well, because without help I'd never been able to keep Hollister from the ruined convertible.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

On Hollister.

[Officer Pete]

Where do we get her out? Doc will be here in a minute. I killed her.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

I killed her.

[Officer Pete]

We don't know yet down there, Doc. Hey, how's Pappy?

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Broken leg. Not the car that ran him up the road.

[Officer Pete]

Yeah, that's seemed like an hour. But it was only a couple of minutes before the docs scrambled out of the ditch. A patrolman and an ambulance driver set a litter by the ambulance. Two other guys had Craig in their patrol car trying to calm him down. I walked over to the ambulance.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

The girl was hurt.

[Officer Pete]

Hurt bad. But she was alive. Sergeant walked up. She alive? Yeah. I tell Hollister okay to let him see her, Sergeant? Yeah. Yeah, I guess so. I started back to the patrol car and stepped back to let a convertible onto the shoulder. A girl got out. A pretty girl. And I thought of the kid by the ambulance who would never be pretty again. Then I felt the sergeant's hand in my arm. He was staring at her. This is Horace. Yes, Sergeant. What happened? Where's Craig? What's the matter with you? We thought he saw. Oh, look, he's just a kid.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Hey, Pete. Bring Hollister over here.

[Officer Pete]

I guess she figured she was old enough to get fried to the Guild and try to make that grade. On a rainy night, your husband saved her life. How? He and Art here almost broke their necks catching her. Kind of blasted her to pieces. Where is Craig? Is he all right? Craig, darling, what is it? It wasn't.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

You better skip it, Craig. No, no. Now, you ought to know, baby. I want you to know. I thought the girl was you.

[Officer Pete]

Me? But why me? Be. And it could have been, couldn't it?

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Long time ago, maybe. Long time ago.

[Officer Pete]

Well, his arm was around her when they walked away. But Debbie Hollister had a kind of thoughtful look in her eyes. You kind of wonder at a time like that what two people are thinking. I turn back to the sergeant. You okay? Oh, sure. Yeah. I say, Sergeant, about us not going back for Pappy. I was driving, you know. Yeah, I know. Well, forget it.

[Officer Craig Hollister]

Learn anything tonight?

[Officer Pete]

Yeah, I learned something.