‘Roll in the dirt’ cops

The Poplar Bluff Museum tells many unknown tales of our community. I want to tell you some of those hidden tales found within the museum walls.

Mike Elliott was a Poplar Bluff police officer for 25 years. He began his career as a rookie in 1978. He later described himself as “the best darn roll in the dirt, take it in the gourd, split your head and spit in your eye Copper that ever lived.” Mike’s Law was “It’s not about right and wrong, it’s about legal and illegal and I’m the one writing the report!” He freely admitted that they would never hire a cop like him today. He was a modern day Wild Bill Hickok in Deadwood.

In 2003, narcotic detective Elliott wrote a book. It was titled “Jake and Bob: Stories of the Poplar Bluff Police Department.” It was about three fictitious police officers named Jake, Bob and Marvin. Jake was the burned-out veteran cop. Bob was the arrogant and mouthy SOB who knew everything, and Marvin was the dumb rookie cop. Elliott stated that at one time he was all three characters. As Jack Webb stated in his television series “Dragnet,” “The stories are real, the names were changed to protect the innocent.”

Elliott’s book is 32 short stories of true grit. It is not for the faint at heart. The language is rough and vulgar. It is written in the voice of real cops. The stories will surprise you in what our small town heroes had to do to enforce the law in your defense. These were rough, gentle, loud, hard. soft, profane and pious men.

“Jake and Bob” is on display in the First Responders exhibit of the Poplar Bluff Museum. The book is available on eBay, Amazon and available in the local authors bookcase in the People Room.

The museum is open free of charge and handicap accessible. It is open 1-4 p.m. Sunday at 1010 Main Street. Tell them Mike (Shane) sent you.