John,

I wholeheartedly agree. The hat was part of your uniform and on my shift (Ed Prieber was the Lt.) you better damn sure be wearing yours when you were out of your car. It became second nature to me throughout my career (when in uniform), especially on traffic stops, calls for service and really anytime you were just in public view. But common sense prevailed in those situations where the hat was a detriment in performing your duties.

Grover Stinchcomb did not like me very much. As careful as I was, the straw hats had a short life expectancy, especially in summer. Just add a little moisture and the brims curled up like a lasagna noodle. When the “Sarge in Supply” heard me asking for a new hat, I often got the “we are out” excuse. Then I would get chastised for not using a hat condom to keep it dry. Which I did… just the hats did not like any moisture or severe heat on the rear seat ledge.

I would simply wait for him to leave for the day, and stop back before Supply closed. Then left with a new hat in hand.

The hats the PD have today….not my thing. I would not likely were those hats. I’m sure they were carry overs from P.G. County command staff that emigrated to our Department.

Too bad.