Part 4 - And The Nightmare Continued...

After My Daughter and her family had left. I went as I said and woke my children. I tried as best as I could to explain what was going on. Which really wasn't easy because I really wasn't sure myself. But I wanted them awake because I knew from what this sarcastic officer had said and not said. Our house was about to be raided. Raided. I had seen such things on TV shows and the News, but never first hand.

In my whole life I had never been in trouble with the law. A traffic ticket was my worst offense. And here I was about to be raided. I actually went and made sure my house was straightened. Now as I sit here and I think back on it. I remember thinking I would never be good at having a house keeper or maid because I'd want the house straightened before they came to work. Strange the things you think of when you are under stress isn't it? So I did the few dishes that were there, and made our bed.


I then sat with my family and waited for what seemed to be like forever. It was about 5:30 - 6:00am. Then they came. That knock on the door, that horrible knock. Let me tell you it's a knock I'll never forget. A very distinct knock, loud and purposeful. Anyone who has had the police come to their door, knows exactly what I'm talking about. I went to the door and opened it to several men clad in black. Some I had recognized, some I did not. This is a small town. The Officer in charge handed me a paper. It was a warrant to search my home for a murder weapon.


By this time it was getting light outside and I was able to look past these men. I was in awe. The amount of Police Officers, Sheriff's Deputies, AFT, and FBI vehicles and men, that were outside my home. We live on a pretty busy main road and they had it blocked off. I believe I heard a helicopter overhead as well. Then I saw several News vans and reporters all looking at us. I couldn't believe it. As my stomach began to roll and a few tears ran down my cheek, I turned and handed my husband the paper, the warrant. Then I went to sit with my family again. As I sat there I wondered where was my son? What was happening to him? Was he with them?

I can't say now what exactly was said to us, but it was instructions my family was to follow while we were there corralled in our small living room. They asked us who each of us were. My daughter had a friend staying with us. Her friend's mother had moved and she had wanted to finish her school year here, so she was staying with us. I asked the officer if it would be possible for me to call her mother and let her come and pick her up. That she didn't need to be here she was afraid. He actually let me. I wish I could've sent my children with her. But we were not allowed to leave. He handed me the phone and shaking I called her mother. He watched me the whole time and listened. I then quickly called both my sisters and husband's brother to let them know what was happening and that we were alright. I knew they would see the news and be worried. I then handed the phone back to the officer.

Then an another officer asked if there was any firearms on the premises? My husband who is an avid hunter, answered them honestly, with a simple .."yes". What happened next would've been comical had it been a TV show. Being it was Real life and our lives, it was frightening. At the moment my husband had said yes. We heard what seemed to be every officer in the room's holsters unsnap, and their hands went to their guns. The officer then asked why, and my husband answered.."because I can". They then asked to be shown the firearms.

So now my house had men all over it. Every room. Every nook and cranny. Our personal things all gone through. To total strangers our life became an open book in just minutes. So many things go through your mind. I felt so awful for my children. I could only imagine what would happen when they went back to school. My oldest daughter who still lived at home, had sung at the young man's funeral the night before. My younger daughter had attend the funeral. I sat with my arm around my 11 year old son. We all sat there quietly. I can't imagine what was going through their young minds. I know so much was going through mine. Mainly, where was my son? Was he alright?

My husband on other hand wasn't so quiet. He kept asking questions. And wanted to know where my son was at, what was going on, and if he was alright? At one point my husband was told very sternly to ..."Shut Up". That if he kept asking questions he would be arrested for "Obstruction of Justice" for interfering with the investigation. Then the officer led him out to the garage.

By this time the mother of the young girl staying with us had come, and been allowed to take her daughter. Also my brother in law had come and they allowed him to come inside with us. I found that odd but I was so grateful he was there. And I'll always have a special spot for him in my heart for never turning away from us and supporting us from the very start. Because we did eventually lose friends and family over this.

This was really just the beginning of a long and horrible nightmare. That no matter how I tried to wake up from, I just couldn't.....