How I Evaded The Police and Graduated High School

There's an old friend of mine in the hospital right now on life support after being sideswiped, riding his motorcycle without a helmet. They have a tube in his skull to keep the pressure down from his brain swelling, his breathing is assisted by a machine, and he isn't allowed visitors at this time. This is one hell of a fight going on right now. That said, Tom Griffes is one of the toughest guys I know. He's also one of the most loyal friends I've ever had. Tom ranks high on the top ten list of friends I've ever had in my lifetime. Some of my most memorable times have been with my friend and brother Tom Griffes. I've decided to share some stories with you.

"Anything happens, if you have any kind of incident at all, or your name is involved, you will not walk across that stage [referring to graduation]."   

- High School Principal

Tom's a great Mekhi Phifer.

When we were in High School, a group of us were in a police chase. I was the driver, Tom was riding passenger, and we had three other friends in the back. (As an urban youth, it was less Superbad and more Eminem and crew in 8 Mile. Pass whatever judgements you want; I had/still have bars.)

Initially, we were running away from the VP of a high school whose property we were trespassing on over lunch; the VP was chasing us in his jeep - running stop signs I might add (tsk tsk). I had already been suspended once for trespassing at my old high school (after an ALMOST fight), and more recently had an 'altercation' with one of our own school's security guards; after the latter incident, our H.S. Principal pulled me aside one day to tell me, "Anything happens, if you have any kind of incident at all, or your name is involved, you will not walk across that stage [referring to graduation]" (I'm paraphrasing of course; it's been a while, but that's pretty accurate). So initially, I hit the gas pedal because I really wanted to graduate High School - a rare achievement in my eyes, and you gotta admire the drive (pun-less). After a quick pass (around a van) on a two lane road downhill, we lost the VP of this other school, but in a quick glance down a side street, I saw one or two police cruisers; they were parked at a house. I was just hoping they didn't see US. I figured I only had a few options, one was park behind a small gas station for a moment and wait for them to pass, IF they saw us. They might have found us. Another was to pull the reigns on my speed and hope for just another speeding ticket, but then I thought the VP might pull up and get our names - which meant no graduation for me. Similar for the first option. So somehow in my head, the only 'logical' option was to keep going, speed up, and don't stop.

Slowly, we started gaining a tail of police cruisers. At first it was one, without lights or sirens - then two. Three began with the lights, and by the end of our pursuit, we had four cruisers behind us with the full light and siren combo. 

By the time I stopped, there were five - they boxed us in and approached the car. Tom never said a word, or panicked, or questioned what the plan was. He was my right hand guy, and by all means had every right and authority to say, "I don't want to go to jail - pullover." However, as urban youth, the jail system (which was right down the street from our alternative high school) didn't scare us. Dat trust tho.

Random photo. Tom on far left. I'm in the back.

Two officers approached the vehicle. I was told the officer to our right had his weapon drawn, while the one on the left approached cautiously. The other officer kept the perimeter. In case you're wondering, yes, he did ask if I knew why he pulled me over. We both knew it was speeding of course. Realizing this was less a life threatening drive-by vehicle and more of the 'Eminem with degenerate friends, possibly driving by with a paintball gun' vehicle, the officers became more lax - rightfully so. We were just...well...I was just dumb. To prove how dumb I was, when the officer asked why I was speeding, my witty response was, "We were racing." See, in my head, it was meant to explain that we were racing to get away from this principal, but to no one in proximity (including myself) did it mean that. So when the cop asked, "Well who do you think won?" Of course I switched gears and just ran with it. "Them. You stopped us." (Smart ass does not mean smart). The officer began lecturing us, which was actually quite good (if he's reading this).

While he checked up on my driver's license and registration + plus the licenses of my friends. I began thinking about whether I would graduate. I thought about how I would spend the next 5-10 years. I contemplated my childhood, when I was reminded (albeit due to my actions) that I would likely end up uneducated and in prison system. The only 'out' I saw was the military. I had all intention to join the Marines; I even put in three years in the High school JROTC program for it. I had taken the preliminary tests and was awaiting tests from my doctor around this time.

When the officer came back, I was thumbing over the marine recruiter card in my wallet. He was in the middle of going over what he found: speeding ticket, my minor in possession charge - then he abruptly cut himself off, "What's that? Let me see that!" He stared at it for what felt like forever, and without looking at me, said "I spent 4 years in the Marines; Marines don't make these kinds of decisions. I'm gonna let you off with a warning -" he was briefly interrupted by the gasps of the other officers. Then he respectfully hushed them. He explained that if he ever caught me speeding or doing anything illegal in that area in the future, that it would be my worst mistake. Then they moved their cars, and we drove off into the sunset (well, it was lunch time, but I thought that created a better visual).

(Now I'm ignoring the part where an officer argued with my friend Demetrius about whether his last name was something else, and if he was actually this dude from Benton Harbor with a warrant for his arrest, but I think I just summarized all you needed to know about that.)

The point is, in those moments waiting for the officer to run my record, I decided that college was going to be the next stage of my life. I believe in signs, and felt the Marine thing had served it's purpose for me. I dated this Puerto Rican chick who talked about college, and had an aunt by marriage who went. I didn't really know anyone else going, so it seemed like this great mystery on the road ahead. I figured I'd give it a shot. So I put my application in and waited. Then one day I received a letter, informing me that I had been accepted. That day Me, Tom, and Demetrius had ourselves a little celebration. Sure it was only community college, but don't shit on the dreams of a young urban youth from a low income background. 

College graduation. Bachelor's level.

To the officer from Comstock Park, MI who let us go, I don't know your name, but thank you. You saved my life, and I'm indebted to you for letting us go after that whole ordeal. Also, there may or may not have been drugs in the vehicle that were disposed of promptly following our encounter. Regardless, I'm very much a changed man these days. I did have another legal situation after that, but I did the probation/community service and it's been so long that it's been expunged already - so cheers to that! Now I'm a quasi-respected member of society, whom only occasionally goes slightly faster than necessary.

Tom signs off on chase story.

Thanks for reading, and if you enjoyed this memory please consider giving to the GoFundMe setup for Tom Griffes. I have plenty of other stories, including the time we faced off in a brawl against 50-60 other people in the middle of the street, or the time we went incognito at a party for an elaborate revenge plot. Stay posted.

And as always, like the Facebook page and follow me on instagram @The_dejay

All jokes aside.