This is just a quick story of the last time I saw Chuck Haist.
On Monday February 14, 2005, I was ending my tour as Sergeant of North End Evening Watch, and was at the precinct when Chuick came in for something. We used to pal around a lot, but when I recieved my promotion, our scehdules did not allow us to see each other as much. We talked for a few minutes, and he asked me how I liked the Sergeant gig. I told him it was a good job, but I missed working in the Detective Division.
Chuck worked out of the South Precinct, which houses that precinct, along with Head Quarters, and the Detective Division. Chuck told me that he would speak to the Detective Captain when he saw him in the morning, and tell him that I should be transfered back to the Division. Chuck worked from 10:00 pm, until 8:00 am, and usually saw all the brass when they came in for work in the morning. I said, "Yeah, like you have pull with the Captain". Chuck laughed and said, "No, not like that, but I do see him sometimes in the morning, and I'll tell him that if they ever have an opening in Detectives for a Sergeant, I think you would be a good one." I laughed it off, and said, "o.k., thanks" Chuck then left, and I went home.
Some time around 4:30 on Wednesday morning, Sgt. Nebel called me at home and told me that Chuck had been killed. I could not believe that it happened again, less than a year from Sgt. Gilbert's death. I went to the Office, and just hung around with the men and women for a while. After some time had passed, The Detective Captain pulled me aside, and said, "I know the timing is not good, but I need to know if you would be interested in running the Evening Watch Detective Squad?" I have never had my throat so tight trying to hold back tears in my life, and I choaked out, "yes, sir." I was told on the day of Chuck's funeral that I would report to Detectives on the Following Monday.
I am a fairly religious man, and always had a certain hope that there is an afterlife. Now, I am certain without a doubt.
Officer Name: Officer Chuck Haist
Officer Department: Henry County Police Department (GA)
Date Death: February 16, 2005
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