Jerry Arrowood

I must have been 5 or 6 years old when I met "State Highway Patrol Trooper" Jerry Arrowood. He used to eat at my father's restaurant in Lenoir and always allowed me to sit with him while he ate, and patiently answered the thousands of questions I must have asked. Influenced by him, and dozens like him, I went on to a lifelong career in law enforcement. When he went to License and Theft, I largely lost contact with him, however I did have occasion to talk with him once at the Hudson office, regarding a case I was working. I was just recently thinking about that and all the years that had passed since as a youngster I had filled his mealtime with questions, only for decades later while working a case, to once again "corner him" - and how he remained just as patient with me. Not long after that I saw him at his wife's florist, for what would be the last time. I had gone in "very late" in the day, requesting a bouquet of roses to be delivered that afternoon if possible. Jerry apparently was making the deliveries and when he was summoned to inquire if he would be able to make one more delivery that day, he came from the back, saw me standing there, and with that grin of his, assured me he would take care of it. To Jerry's family, thanks for sharing him with the rest of us all the years he served his community. And to Jerry: whether it was tolerating me through your meals or giving me guidance on an investigation - or seeing my roses got delivered - thanks for always "having time" for me.