My Uncle Mike - The Christmas Season Arrest

With the Christmas season approaching, I wanted to share this great story written by my uncle, Michael Frye, when he was working as a police officer some years ago. This actually happened, and I am sure the man involved was not expecting it!

The Christmas Season Arrest

Michael Frye
August 2002

It was December 2004 when I arrested a man at his home on an outstanding warrant for a misdemeanor offense (a less serious or minor crime). He lamented that he had no money for the bail, let alone Christmas gifts for his wife and son. I could not help but notice that his small home was sparsely furnished. In one corner of the living room was the most pitiful Christmas tree I had ever seen with only one little package under its naked boughs.

I apologized for the arrest so close to the holiday and asked the man’s wife about their Christmas plans. She tearfully admitted it was a difficult time for her family. Her husband had been out of work for a while, and they would now have no money for gifts. Her husband’s arrest would make it impossible to have anything for Christmas. I asked what her son wished for Christmas. She mentioned a bicycle helmet.

When I returned home that evening, I told my wife about the situation and asked if we could provide a Christmas meal and gifts for the family. She was happy to agree. We bought them the same as we did for ourselves, a turkey, potatoes and gravy, vegetables, and a pie for dessert. For under the tree, we provided small gifts for each of the family members, including a helmet for their son.

About a week later and when the man had been released, I took the items to the home of the man I had arrested. He met me at his front door and grumbled something, “What do you want now?”

I told him I wasn’t there on official police business but had something in my patrol car for him and his family. I then presented him with the items my wife and I had purchased for his Christmas and asked if he could hide them somewhere his son wouldn’t discover.

He was both shocked and appreciative. I wished him a merry Christmas and went on my way.

I never heard back from him or his wife, but that didn’t matter. Darlene and I were satisfied with the giving.

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Notes:

The name of the law enforcement agency where Officer Frye was employed was purposely omitted for privacy and confidentiality reasons.

Story was adapted by Thomas Hartley, nephew to Michael Frye, November 17, 2020, from the Autobiography of Michael Frye.

Christmas tree image source:

https://www.ripleys.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/dry-xmas-tree.jpg