DEC 2020 Blues Vol 36 No. 12 - 36TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

MICHAEL BARRON, BLUES

MICHAEL BARRON, BLUES FOUNDER REX EVANS, BLUES EDITOR In CHIEF Uh Huh, and what pray tell is that color BLUE that is so critical to your logo Mr. Simper? “I don’t actually know, but I’m sure Judy knows, ask her” And that’s the story of the how the first ad was sold in the BLUES and how Ray became the first unofficial editor and color selector of the BLUES. Over the years, Ray and Central Police Supply became one of our biggest supporters. And it was Ray that introduced me to Buddy Williams the editor of the Badge & Gun, who would later become the owner of the BLUES for almost 25 years. In fact, it was Ray’s idea (one of perhaps a thousand over the years) to change the name of the newspaper from County Blues to just the BLUES. Said I was too partial to Harris County and I needed to expand my horizons or something like that. Expand readership statewide, he says. I’m pretty sure this was his idea to get Central’s ad seen by more cops across the state and of course not pay more for said ad. About the time that Ray retired from HPD I had sold the newspaper to Buddy and it was rare that I ran into him at Central. But when I did, he and I had to catch-up and take note of ways to improve the BLUES. LOL Not sure how much advice he gave Buddy over the years, but I’m sure if he had stopped by, Ray would have imparted his knowledge of the publishing world to Buddy. Over the years, Central became a second home to hundreds if not thousands of officers. In the almost half of century that Central and F15 have been in business, they have outfitted officers with damn near everything they could ever need. When we relaunched the BLUES a year ago, I ran across a video that Greg Smith made about Ray and the history of Central Police Supply. (see attached link) It’s a great video that gives insight into Ray’s history as an HPD police officer and his involvement with F15 and later as the owner of Central Police Supply. I was out of town in August when a friend called me and said Ray had passed away. I was truly saddened by the news. Ray was always like an older brother to me and I wish that I had made it a point to visit him over the years. I am however thrilled to see his daughter Jacqueline running the family business. I know Ray was so proud when Jacqueline wanted to take over as manager and she is every bit as smart as her old man. Finally, I’d like to thank Jacqueline and the staff at Central Police Supply for once again placing their trust in the BLUES to promote a true legend in Houston. I think Ray would be proud of the ad in this issue and yes sir, we made sure the logo is in fact the right color of blue. I know Ray is riding his tractor in heaven and watching over all his family – both personal as well as BLUE. Can’t wait to see you again my friend and tell you all about the digital version of the BLUES and I’m sure you’ll have ways to improve it. God Bless you my friend. Ray or one of the girls would let ‘charge’ new pair until payday. It wasn’t often mind you, but the two or three times over 30 years I could charge something, kept me returning as a faithful and loyal customer. Not so much for the convenience, as the leniency and compassion they always had for their customers. No one there ever had to help me. They did so because they knew me and they knew I would always show up with cash and a dozen donuts. My way of saying “Thank you” for the grace given unto me when I needed it. Nowadays, such customer service isn’t really afforded anywhere on this planet! Which I understand. Times and people have changed. Hell, the whole world has changed. One thing that hasn’t changed, is the fact Central Police Supply remains open and active at the intersection of Houston and Washington Avenue. And Officers, Deputies, Troopers, Federal and State Agents are still walking in, getting whatever they need, buying the latest and greatest, and the whatchamacallits they just had to have! For a business in the City of Houston, that’s quite an accomplishment. When it comes to Law Enforcement, we haven’t exactly kept our rich, dedicated and oftentimes quite interesting history alive. Central Police Supply is a testament to over a half century of service to those who, Serve and Protect. In closing, on a very personal note, one day in a pouring thunderstorm, I stopped in for one of those long “Duster style” raincoats. I had just enough money for it. Ray was over attending to something else as the girl rang me up. But he stopped what he was doing and mentioned the holes in the sides of my boots where they had become separated. With the raging thunderstorm going on outside he said “What size boot do you wear?” I told him and within about a minute he walked back over with a brand new pair of boots in the box. He told me to take off my soaked, torn up boots and put on the new ones. I explained to him I only had enough money to get the coat, I didn’t have money for the boots. He went on to tell me he didn’t ask me about money, he simply couldn’t and wouldn’t let a cop come in with boots like that and walk out in a middle of thunderstorm with the same worn out boots on. He said “I know when payday is…just come back and see me then, ok?” I thank him, switched to new and dry boots and went back to work. I’ll never forgot his kindness and I’ll never shop anywhere else. Such moments are all but a rarity these days, locked away to history. Not all “Old School” was bad. Not at all…. 20 The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE The The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE 21 21