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EDITORS NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with expanded coverage of Washita County sports, Michael Palmer will be helping the Beacon by taking photos and reporting on sporting events. We are glad to have him and hope the community will give him a warm welcome when you see him out and about.
I was born in Portsmouth Virginia, and raised in Jacksonville Florida. I lived in Jacksonville from the age of six months to my early 20’s. I moved from Jacksonville to Hollis, Oklahoma for the promise of a better paying job. While the job didn’t pan out, I met my wife and future daughter. After getting married I eventually adopted her daughter making her my own. I started college at Western Oklahoma State University taking criminal justice classes, and after a few semesters of college I decided to live my childhood dream and become a police officer. I joined the Hollis Police Department. In an effort to better support my family, I started looking for a police job in big cities, such as Dallas and even back in my home state of Florida. Most big city police departments at that time were only accepting rookie cadets with a completed college degree or military experience. Since I had neither, I had to choose which path I wanted to go. I chose to join the army.
My first duty station was Mannheim, Germany where I served just under four years. During the four years in Germany I deployed to Taji, Iraq for 15 months. When I returned back to Germany my little family had grown from three to four as my wife gave birth to my daughter. My orders for Germany were only three years; however, I was told that if I waited and went to El Paso, Texas as my next duty station that I would be non-deployable for the next two years, so I agreed. Well, after arriving in El Paso it wasn’t very long until I got new orders to go back to Iraq. I deployed to Kuwait for 6 months moving equipment out of Iraq to Kuwait. When I returned back to Texas I decided to get out of the army and continue with my poli ce career.
I ended up as a police officer in Prairie Grove, Arkansas and served over five years with the PGPD. I was made Corporal but unfortunately had to retire due to illness. A few years later, my wife and youngest daughter and I moved to Cordell to be near family, and this is where we intend to remain.
As a police officer I have written many reports. As a sports person I love watching sports. I have never written reports about sports so it should be an experience.
I really do love Cordell and plan to make it my forever home. This job is fun as it allows me to go to the games and take a few pictures. I hope to see you at Washita County sporting events, and around town.