Cordmaker made two badges for me. They are the two men who were my Chiefs of police while I was an elected official. They are fine men.
Johnny Vance and his wife.
Tom Suoy and his wife.
Below is part of the private message that I sent to Cordmaker describing the two policemen.
Johnny Vance is a native of Barren County, Kentucky. Johnny’s uncle was Van Vance who did the UL radio and TV broadcasts. When he was our Chief he got an FBI top ten wanted man arrested because he knew the area better than anyone.
He was followed as chief by Tom Souy, a native of Cambodia.
Tom is the story that is important. A Smith Grove church sponsored his family after Pol Pot's thugs killed his father with a machete and his mother and brother escaped Cambodia and made it to Thailand. Tom had never seen a TV until he got on a plane going from Thailand to the Philippines.
These two men took care of me when I was Commissioner and Mayor. Police are special. I love them both and they love me.
In my little town all the Chiefs of Police have the same badge number "701". Here are the badges that Cordmaker made.
That is a great Christmas present to two good men.