Veteran officer refuses to give up his 1994 Chevy Lumina Squad car

Officer Clint Barton started on Patrol back in 1994. His first shift his FTO and him got assigned to squad car number 721. In the 20 year since that night Barton has drive squad 721 every shift except a few rare occasions.

“From the first moment I sat in that car I felt something special. We clicked. I knew that as long as I was in this car I would be safe. Seriously this car is my guardian angle. One night 721 was down for maintenance so I was in a CrownVic, had a crash. Had an Officer Involved Shooting, was driving some POS Dodge that night due to a tire rotation on 721. I can tell you if I had a bad night it was a night I was driving a squad that was not 721.”

Chief Duquesne had this to say about this one squad car. “When the engine hit 150K we were going to put it up for auction. Clint lobbied hard to keep the car. He actually paid out of his own pocket for a brand new engine and complete overhaul of the squad car’s suspension and electrical systems. He loves that car. Barton is one of the most productive officers we have here, so when he offered to keep that car running out of his own pocket I knew I had to allow it so he kept motivated.”

The chief told us that allowing Officer Barton to pay out of pocket has caused some minor issues. “The union filed a grievance against me for forcing an officer to pay like that. Clint actually had to show up in person at an arbitration meeting to say he made the offer and is happy to pay to keep his lucky car.”

Parts are getting a bit harder to find for the Lumina. Officer Barton is not worried. He is on a list for promotion from supervisor to an administrator role. “If I make Lt, I will still try to keep 721 in the fleet. I will ask to have the light bar removed and make it a cleantop admin squad. That way it will not get as many miles up on it and should last a few more years till I am ready to retire.”