Inspired by his father's example, Scott Magro also joined the military and then law enforcement as an officer with the Spring Hill (Tenn.) Police Department.
As a kid growing up in Philadelphia, Scott Magro used to take short rides on his father’s patrol motorcycle. His dad was a Philly cop. He was killed in the line of duty when Scott was just four.
Today, Scott Magro’s fondest memories of his father are those moments on his dad’s police bike. Maybe that’s why he has followed in his father’s footsteps, first into the military and then into law enforcement.
And like his father, Officer Scott Magro has faced a deadly confrontation with a bad guy.
Be On the Lookout
Twenty-six years after his father’s death, Magro sat in his own patrol car on the desolate back roads of Spring Hill, Tenn.
Magro’s duty for that November night was to monitor the radar gun, and it wasn't exactly his cup of tea. The late hour didn't help, with the cold keeping all but the most stalwart of locals inside their homes. Not that Magro was suffering the night alone. His sister car, driven by Officer Brant Pewitt, was out and about, as well.
Beep 34....Beep 33....Beep 35.
With the mind-numbing metronomic beeps of the radar gun keeping him abreast of each approaching car and its speed, Magro huddled against himself for warmth. He maintained a vigil for anything that would warrant his investigative attentions and justify freezing his ass off. It would come soon enough.
"Spring Hill to 220," the radio crackled. "Be on the lookout for a late-model beige four-door sedan operated by Ronald Brown, black male, 50 years old, wanted for attempted first-degree murder and aggravated domestic assault. Suspect is considered armed and dangerous.”
No sooner had Magro acknowledged the transmission than an update came over the radio.
"220, the suspect is said to be heading up to Spring Hill from Columbia on Highway 31.”
Putting his patrol car in gear, Magro turned onto Highway 31 and parked on one of the darker stretches of its median. His best bid to intercept the suspect’s car was to pick it up as it passed in the opposite direction. With each passing vehicle, Magro swiveled his head back and forth like a Wimbledon spectator. As he contemplated the danger approaching him, Magro felt adrenaline course through his system. Soon it felt as though his very heart might punch itself through his vest.
Could this be it? Was there finally going to be some action in this boring town?
Then he saw it. The distinct pattern of four headlights common to sedans of the 1980s approaching from the south.
As the vehicle neared, Magro saw that Officer Pewitt had already picked up the suspect vehicle and was following closely behind it. As the vehicles passed in front of his headlights, Magro saw that the sedan's driver was an older black male. No passengers were in view.
Pewitt called the license plate into dispatch as they passed Magro, who pulled out of the median and took up position behind Pewitt's car. The radio crackled again.