It was a hyper-local version of COPS, with some of the same ingredients. Following previous verbal and written requests made to the state police officials and after signing a liability release, I was approved to participate on a ride along with law enforcement officials from the Department of Natural Resources last night. But make no mistake about it, these guys are armed and not to be underestimated. The officer I was paired up with was ICO Patrick Heidenreich, a 6 Ft+ muscularly built and highly trained marshal arts expert, who carries loaded weapons, including a semi automatic 45 caliber Sigsauer pistol and rides an 18 foot Boston Whaler police boat with all the bells and whistles like lights, siren and outfitted with a 250 horsepower engine, which has the potential water speeds up to 60 mph.
Our evening patrol started off slowly by helping out some boaters, checking for fishing licenses and warning boaters piloting vehicles without the necessary warning lights, or the proper safety equipment. However, our night ended more like a local version of Miami Vice, with the boat headed to a nearby location, where a man was allegedly brandishing a hand gun. After all was said and done, an Angola male was arrested for pointing a gun at another individual. He was charged with drug related offenses on the shore of Lake James.
At approximately 11 p.m. public safety officers responded to a call of a man threatening someone with a firearm at a residence on Lane 105 Lake James. About a half dozen police officials responded from the state as well as the county. While investigating, deputies noticed evidence of drugs in plain view in the residence. After serving a search warrant, deputies located one long gun, a handgun, a quantity of marijuana a scale and other drug related paraphernalia. Cops arrested 57 year old Joseph E. Norris for felony intimidation, pointing a firearm, common nuisance, dealing and, or possession of marijuana or hashish and paraphernalia.