FORREST RIPPEY

Forrest Rippey, (Rip), is a Jack-of-all trades. Retired from 45 years of public and private criminal investigations, I was sitting in the recent social isolation at my home in Morgan’s Point, Texas, and decided to take the book that’s been rattling around in my head for years, and spill it in ink (pixels). I have a teaching degree from Texas A & M University, ’74, so I’m what’s referred to in these parts as an Ol’ Ag. It’s a rowdy, homespun, and faithful breed that I’m proud of.

I confess to a lifetime of athletics in all sports, although not the best at any. Three sports in high school, contributing to my B academic average, and springboard diving at A&M. I fell into the company of other divers, and joined them as a member of the Great American High Diving Team, showing off at places like Great Adventure in New Jersey, Frontierland in Cherokee, N.C., various Six Flags parks, and the cliffs at Acapulco. It’s a young man’s game jumping off 100 ft. ladders, and when I came to my senses, I began looking for work in Police service. I was initially too small, at 5’5, 140 lbs., but the height requirements for Cops was stricken when females made a good case for their gender, and the height requirements were dissolved.

There were years of service in the City of Alexandria, Virginia, near my hometown, as a Police Officer, and I was fortunate to have the opportunity to change roles there fairly often. I did stints in Patrol, a Recruit Trainer, an Academy instructor specialist in Pursuit Driving, a member of the department SWAT team, and a Detective.

I spent some years in the tasks of Security Director and Investigations for several large banks, and lost most of what I had in several restaurant ventures. Although, I had a great time as a Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Franchisee in Bowie, Maryland. So it was back to Police work, this time in Houston, Texas, with the HPD.

These two Police careers are the primary subjects of my first recorded record, Baby Blues, but the underlying theme in my heart, is the unintentional legacy that I passed down to my kids. Without the slightest urging, both of my sons are now Houston Police Sergeants, with impeccable records, and pride in what they do. They manage tactical teams, work under cover in the Vice division, and have both been seen carrying elderly citizens in their arms, through the chest-deep flooding provided by Hurricane Harvey.

My little girl works with special needs kids in an elementary school, and is the first volunteer in any activity her two sons undertake.

Where did they get these ideas? I take the position that In part, the way in which I lived, bled into their personas as subtle and consistent good instincts. When I am gone, it’s not an inheritance or property left that they will cherish. It’s the waffles on Saturday mornings, the ZZ Top music, the canoe adventures, the fearless defense of the less fortunate or unlucky, reverence for honesty, integrity, and relentless pursuit of happiness, never at the expense of others.

The book talks about race issues in policing, gun issues, police training, and life lessons. And war stories. I worked hard to bring this volume to market quickly, so the other people now experiencing the social isolation of this virus pandemic, will have something to read, and enjoy, while they are at home.

Find me at forrestrippey@yahoo.com