We have a couple memories of Brad that stand out. I (Robin) roped Ryan and Brad into speaking to my class about their careers in law enforcement; Brad graciously accepted. (From Ryan… Brad was the headliner; I was his opening act). It’s true. Brad just had that charism to keep my class hanging on his every word. He was informative and funny and oh so down-to-earth. His best joke out of the many he told was “if anyone trying to sell you drugs is wearing white shoes, run. Because that’s a cop.” Students loved him. He was a natural guest speaker. He connected with young people on their level and it was obvious how much they respected him for it.
Another good memory we have of Brad (aside from desperately trying to rope him and Jen into going to Hall & Oates with us without success since they were just moving to OR) is the night we all spent on the beach after Jimi’s wedding. Some Mendocino knuckleheads who were high out of their minds were wandering the beach making a bunch of noise in pitch darkness. Things felt a little sketchy. Later, separately, we shared how comforted we were by having Brad with us. Not just because he was a former cop but because he was just the guy who was cool and level-headed enough time get us out of a bind. He offered them some beer to essentially “get lost” (my words, not his; Brad was smoother than that). He just had that presence about him and we were grateful to know.
