When Gallup Police Department Capt. Rick White used to sit through interviews with the media, it was in his role as public information officer – answering questions about the myriad of crimes and deaths that occur in Gallup. The kind of stuff that swirls in an officer’s mind each day at the office, and can be talked about with some ease.

For about 27 years, the streets of Gallup have been White’s office. Investigating homicides, drug busts, and chasing down slippery criminals are all in a days work. But, when it became White’s turn to be the focus of a story, his approach was humble.

“It has been a pleasure to serve our citizens,” he said.

It seems most of the men and women that wear the badge don’t like being the center of attention, even when it’s well deserved after years of service, like in White’s case.

But, he doesn’t mind sharing a joke and his passion for mentoring his peers.

“Police work is the best job in the whole world,” he said, adding that he’s enjoyed working with other officers and detectives over the years, which includes training and working together on cases.

After graduating from UNM-Gallup in 1989 with a degree in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement, White entered the GPD police force. He started as a patrolman, then over the years he advanced to corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, and to his current position of captain in 2009.

After so many years on the force, he’s developed areas he’s passionate about pursuing. One of his favorite jobs is overseeing the narcotics division.

“I love investigating the crimes and getting the drugs off the streets,” he said.

And getting those drugs off the streets can be dangerous and unpredictable, especially raids on homes.

“There’s always something that you didn’t plan for,” he said.

It’s not a career for everyone, he said, but it’s full of adrenaline-pumping excitement, such as catching a criminal in the act. White anticipated catching crooks back in his patrol days, whether it was pursuit on foot or by car.

“I enjoyed looking for people breaking into commercial businesses and homes … hoping to catch them,” he said.

But not all of the work feels rewarding at times. As first responders, cops all too often encounter horrific injuries and death.

“There’s a lot of death,” he said.

Whether it’s an exposure-related death, or the death of a baby, it’s never easy. But nothing is tougher than having to tell families their loved one has died.

“Having to notify families, now that’s hard,” he said.

When asked if any death scene stands out above the others, White replied, “All of them.”

So what comes post-retirement for White? Spending time with his grandchildren comes to the top of his mind, next in line is fishing. His wife, an administrator for the department, has less than two years of work left before she can retire, so they can enjoy some fishing and camping trips together.

With White’s retirement looming, Lt. Roseanne Morrissette said she’ll miss the captain, who she said mentored and trained her. She credits his leadership for helping her to reach her current position as lieutenant.

She explained that what contributes to making him a great mentor is his family values and sincerity.

“Very few people have a heart like his; he truly cares about people,” she said.

She said that she’ll miss his morale boosting, morning briefings, where the upbeat White tells everyone: “You guys are doing a great job. Keep it up!”

His last day of work is May 31.

By Babette Herrmann

Sun Editor

Signature Gallup summer event kicks off

The start of July means summer is in full bloom and crowds become hungry for events where they can gather and have a good time. For residents of Gallup and the Four Corners region, there is one event that is high on that list: WildThing Championship Bullriding.

Each year, crowds gather in Red Rock Park to watch the number one open bull riding in the southwest, where some of the top bull riders in the country and beyond match up against some of the best bucking bulls in the country, as WildThing Coordinator Larry Peterson told the Sun.

“We have a lot of really good riders coming to Red Rock Park, some of the top Navajo riders, riders from the [Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association] and [Professional Bull Riding], and two Brazilian riders on July 8,” Peterson said. “We’ve got a lot of good riders lined up for both nights.”

RAMPING UP

WildThing runs July 8-9 this year, where Peterson said they want to build on the success the show had in 2021 following its cancellation in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The show is going to be big and strong just like last year. Everyone was really missing it the previous year, and they all turned out really heavy last year,” Peterson said. “We want to make it a strong, electric show that’ll be fun for everyone.”

Some of the entertainment on tap for WildThing include the crowd favorite wooly riding, where six young champion riders compete for the top honor; Cowboy Poker, where a group of daring card players play a few hands while a bull circles them; and a big pyrotechnics show each night, which Peterson said will provide the show that the City of Gallup was unable to hold this year for the Fourth of July.

But, as is tradition, Peterson also tells WildThing visitors to expect the unexpected.

“There are always surprises at WildThing and we can already feel the energy in town building up. We welcome a heavy crowd due to our great sponsors. There will be prizes for visitors to win and great new clothes for them to view,” Peterson continued.

The increase in crowds is welcome in part to overcoming several logistical challenges WildThing faced last year, Peterson noted. As previously reported by the Sun, WildThing 2021 was the first major event held in Gallup following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and the show could have been limited due to occupancy and distancing guidelines.

“It’s tough putting on a big show like this [with those challenges],” Peterson said. “If they had enforced all the protocols it would have been tough for us to do what we want to do. But with the current guidelines, we can carry on and rock and roll as normal.”

As part of the guidelines, Peterson said each visitor can choose to wear a mask or not.

FOR THE COMMUNITY

The cancellation of WildThing in 2020 was not just a blow to a community seeking entertainment and fun when there seemed to be little of either, it was a blow to Manuelito Children’s Home, which coordinates and runs the parking and concessions for WildThing, making it the home’s largest single fundraiser of each year.

“The Children’s Home puts on great concessions for our visitors each year, and last year they broke their own record for the funds they raised for those services,” Peterson said.

With current world events unfolding and bringing uncertainty to many people, Peterson agreed WildThing is a prime opportunity for people to come and have fun to help them face those challenges.

“If you haven’t gone to WildThing, you’re missing out. We have a fun, exciting show ready for everyone. We invite them all to come out, support the children’s home while they’re here, and have a good time,” Peterson said.

It was noted by Peterson afterwards that folding lawn chairs cannot be brought into the premises this year, as they could be inconvenient for visitors and staff.

For more information on WildThing, including ticket sales and where to purchase them, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/wildthing.bullriding/.

By Cody Begaye
Contributing Editor

Curley Taylor, Zydeco Trouble introduce music genre to Gallup

According to Louisanatravels.com, the early Zydeco music genre is a blend of Louisiana-French accordion music and Afro-Caribbean beats. It takes influence from Creole, Cajun, gospel and the blues, along with other genres. It almost always includes an accordion.

And now, Gallup citizens will be able to witness this style of music on July 2 at the Levitt Amp Concert Series, when Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble come to town.

Louisiana native Taylor has been around music all his life. In an interview with the Sun, he explained that he was born into a musical family and that the drums was his first instrument. He began playing the drums in his dad’s band, Jude Taylor and the Burning Flames, at 16 years old.

“Music was always around me,” Taylor said.

Taylor was able to tour with some of Louisiana’s musical legends, including CC Adcock, Steve Riley, John Hart, and CJ Chenier. While he was touring with Chenier’s band, he picked up the accordion.

In 2003, Taylor launched his own band, Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble. Now, almost 20 years and three albums later, Taylor said he’s excited to introduce the zydeco genre to Gallup.

“I’m looking forward to making new fans and making new friends,” he said.

Taylor said his favorite part of being a musician is introducing people to a genre they may have never heard before.

“Some people may not know what they’re about to experience. They’re waiting to see what’s going to happen, and I get a lot of joy out of putting a smile on their face,” Taylor said. “They didn’t know what they were going to get, but [then] they love it.”

The band will be performing as a part of the Levitt Amp Concert Series on July 2. The concert starts at 6 pm at the Courthouse Square. The event is free to the public.

“We’re looking forward to the whole city coming out and having a good time. Put your dancing shoes on, we’re gonna have a great time.”

By Molly Ann Howell
Sun Correspondent

Gallup Reads is just one of the educational programs that work well, though it is not included in the general curricula of Gallup McKinley County Schools. The concept was passed through the local Gallup-McKinely Chamber of Commerce after several board members had visited Albuquerque’s chamber and heard about the program set up in New Mexico’s most populous school district.

When the chamber decided to pursue this system in Gallup, the name was altered for local flavor and board member Linda Murphy picked up the original banner to get the program started and helped to handle the $10,000 donation from the chamber to purchase books.

Formerly in the banking business, Murphy recruited volunteers from the community to offer their time in reading to Kindergarten-aged students. The readings are mostly one-on-one, and the need for more volunteers is constant.

“We need volunteers more than money,” Murphy said.

Working only three days per week – Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday – the volunteers are able to provide and impart their love of reading, which leads very naturally to a love of learning. Teachers throughout every school system agree that a student who reads well and who loves to read, will do much better in school and in life.

“My students have really benefitted from their experiences with the volunteers (Reading Buddies),” Keegan Mackenzie-Chavez says in a letter of appreciation from Stagecoach Elementary, where she teaches. “My kiddos love their Reading Buddies! They look forward to their time with them!”

One of those Reading Buddies is Eric Pena, who is quick to point out that his love is more for mathematics than reading, despite the fact of his mother, Sharon is an English teacher at Gallup Mid-School.

“We see a change in the kids throughout the year,” Pena said during an interview April 18 at Grandpa’s Grill, where he is the manager. “Many are shy and reserved to start but become more outgoing as the year stretches out. My mom always wanted me to be a teacher, even though I would never have thought of teaching reading. We try to provide exposure to books and get them to discover the joys of reading. Many do.”

Handling four kids in an hour (about 15 minutes for each) seems like a small start, but in today’s society many of these children come from either single parent homes or both parents must work to provide for the family, leaving little time for the closeness needed by children for learning the love of education.

“Number one is the kids,” Pena continued. “We are trying to give them more tools for success in life through this program.”

Interested volunteers may sign up at the Gallup-McKinley Chamber of Commerce, and they don’t have to have a background in education; just a willingness and the time to spend with these youngest of students as they begin a lifelong of learning.

Applicants must also obtain a background check through the police department before they are allowed to enter the classroom. The cost of this check is $40.

By Tom Hartsock

Sun Correspondent