STORY BEHIND THE PLAQUE
Service Reflections of Sgt Max Reynolds, U.S. Air Force (1975-1981)

I graduated from high school on May 23, 1975, and I had originally planned to attend Vincennes University to become a Conservation Officer. My dream was to be a police officer, but I could not afford the tuition at the time. In June 1975, SSgt Terry Johnson, USAF Recruiter, called from his office in Logansport and asked me to come over and talk with him. He provided me with the option to join the USAF as a Security Police officer, with the guarantee that after Basic Training, if no SP positions were available, I could cross-train to another field or process out with an Honorable Discharge. I figured Uncle Sam would always need cops, so I headed to the AFEES at 141 S. Meridian in Indianapolis on July 10, 1975, for my physical and took an oath to serve, protect, and defend the United States as a member of the USAF Reserve. I went home to finish my work schedule and returned to Indianapolis on October 2, 1975, where I went on active duty in the USAF.

I flew from Indianapolis to Atlanta, GA, and then had another flight to San Antonio, TX. I arrived at Lackland AFB, TX, and began my Basic Training. I was assigned to the 3723rd Basic Military Training Squadron, Flight 141. My Training Instructors were TSgt Jessie Myrick and Sgt Peter Steele. I completed 6 weeks of Basic Training and graduated on November 14, 1975. I was reassigned to the Security Police Academy and had the weekend free until the academy began on November 17, 1975. I completed 5 weeks of the SP Academy and graduated on December 23, 1975, as an Honor Graduate. I was reassigned to Air Base Ground Defense training at Camp Bullis, TX, but since it didn’t begin until January 1, 1976, I went home on leave for Christmas. I returned to Camp Bullis, completed 4 weeks of ABGD training, and was given orders for Offutt AFB, NE (SAC HQ). I took another week’s leave, went home to pack, and reported to the 3902nd Security Police Squadron on February 9, 1976. I remained at Offutt for the rest of my Active Duty tour and was discharged from Active Duty on October 1, 1979.

I served during the Cold War era, so I never served in combat or overseas. At the time, I was on active duty at Offutt, and the SPs had three divisions: Security on the Flight Line, SAC Elite at the HQ building, and Law Enforcement, which handled Installation Entry Control and police duties on the base and in the housing areas. I was assigned to the LE side of the house (3902nd SPOL-C Security Police Operations Law Enforcement, “C” Flight) and started as an Entry Controller, also known as a “Gate Guard.” I was the first person visitors and staff saw as they entered the installation. We were always sharply dressed in pressed uniforms, bloused pants, and highly shined combat boots with a spider lace, white ascot, white gloves, and a white service cap (later, we went to the blue berets). I was assigned the duties of Desk Clerk and later Desk Sergeant, answering phones, dispatching patrols and assistance, taking information for reports, and providing directions and services. Other times, I was assigned to motor patrol in one of 6 patrol zones. The three divisions worked together to maintain our mission of force protection for Headquarters, Strategic Air Command.

My first fight involved a 16-year-old female with a cognitive disability. The young female was on base as part of an organization where disadvantaged youth had opportunities to experience and learn about various life events. I was on patrol that day and stopped by the LE Desk to meet with the Desk Sergeant. While on station, I answered a phone call for service, indicating two females were fighting. The situation was just down the street from the police station, and I told the Desk Sergeant to mark me out of service there, and I would check on the females fighting. As I approached the address in question, a petite blond female counselor approached me and asked, “Are you the only one?” I replied, “How many do you need?” She responded, “You better get some help!” What the caller had failed to mention was that this 16-year-old female was over six feet tall, weighed well over 170 lbs, and had already beaten up three counselors before the police were called. As I was radioing for additional units, the female burst out of the building onto the porch. A male counselor attempted to restrain her, and she caught him with a forearm and slung him into the wall, taking him out of commission. She then turned on me. I had always been taught not to hit women, but this woman had death in her eyes. As she lunged for me, I ducked around behind her and was able to engage a full Nelson hold on her. Keep in mind, this was a civilian who was not under the UCMJ, so I was limited as to what force I could use. I was trying to get her on the ground and use my weight to secure her until additional units arrived. However, she proceeded to bounce me up one side of the porch to the other. She would attempt to fling me off and smash me against the wall, railing, and posts. (I forgot to mention that I was 5’10”, 165 lbs.) My backup arrived, and it took 6 of us to get her under control. We did place her in handcuffs for her protection (and ours!!) and proceeded to escort her to the station, where we contacted her foster parent. Her foster father arrived a few minutes later and took custody of her. He did ask if he could keep her in handcuffs until he got her home, and she managed to kick out the glass of the back window of his Ford Pinto as they were leaving. I survived with bumps and bruises, and the Desk Sergeant received a commendation from the organization thanking him for his assistance on the night in question.

My four years of active duty put me first at Lackland for 10 weeks, second at Camp Bullis for 4 weeks, and the remainder of my tour at SAC HQ. When I joined the USAF, I wanted a SAC base as my hometown was in Peru, IN, where Bunker Hill AFB (later re-named Grissom AFB) was located. BHAFB was home to B-58 Backfire bombers when I was growing up, and I always liked the SAC emblem. I was blessed to be stationed at Offutt, which has a wealth of military history not only as an Army post but the place where B-26 Marauder’s were built during WWII (my father-in-law was a co-pilot on a B-26) and also the place where the Enola Gay & Bockscar were built. I have a piece of the wooden floor from the Martin Bomber plant.

“C” Flight, 3902nd Security Police Squadron

Offutt, AFB

This was my team.

I accomplished my dream of becoming a police officer by serving with one of the largest police departments in the country. I have never forgotten where my career started, and I am indebted to the many mentors I had during my short time in the military. Because of my time with the USAF, I later had an opportunity to be a detective for over 20 years and a Master Instructor from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. The crowning achievement of my career was a 10-year assignment with Indiana Homeland Security, working as a Task Force Officer for the Indiana Intelligence Fusion Center. I was given a Top Secret clearance and worked with many state, local, and federal agencies, maintaining a watch over the safety and security of Indiana and the USA.

Security Police Shield #J8779

Official ribbons and badges: Presidential Unit Citation; Outstanding Unit with 3 clusters; Longevity (4 years); Good Conduct; Small Arms Expert Marksman with 1 star; and Law Enforcement Force Protection badge.

Unofficial ribbon: USAF Training; Honor Graduate; Cold War Service; Honorable Discharge

Commemorative ribbons: Service in the Armed Forces; Service in the USAF

Of all the awards and ribbons, my first police shield has the most meaning to me. It is currently on display in a shadow box.

Great group to work with. Lost track of most of them after I left Nebraska.

My partner and friend, Doug DeLanoit, was an Iowa farm boy who could fix just about anything that broke. We roomed together in the police dorm and worked at the LE Desk, gates, and patrol. Our birthdays were two weeks apart. He was born on Pearl Harbor Day in 1955, and my birthday was 1 year and two weeks later in 1956. Doug left the USAF when his tour was up and joined the sheriff’s department back in his beloved Iowa. A drunk driver killed him on November 19, 1996; my heart is still broken.

I have so many!! I used to tell jokes before and during Guardmount. We had a new Flight Chief who called me out after we broke ranks one night to inform me that he would appreciate me not being a jokester during Guardmount. Guard mount was a formal process, and silliness and jokes had no part. I explained to him that when I told a joke and didn’t get a response, it was usually for one of two reasons. Either the joke wasn’t that funny, or the person hearing it had their mind on something else. Since we needed to rely on each other for the next 8 hours, I wanted to know the mindset of the other officers before we hit the streets. He said that he understood, but that I still was not to tell jokes at Guardmount. I complied and proceeded to rattle off those ditties after Guardmount while we were inspecting our patrol vehicles!

There was also the threat of Radio Class one morning after a midnight tour due to unauthorized radio traffic. We were very courteous on the air and would answer the dispatcher or comm/plotter with a “Tango Yankee” (Thank You). The “Yankee William” (You’re Welcome) didn’t sound that good, so (and I’m not sure who came up with it) we would respond with, “Wango Bango.”

After leaving the USAF active duty, I returned to my home state of Indiana, where I completed my Reserve Time and started attending classes at Indiana University (IUPUI). I started classes in January 1980 and joined the Indiana University Police Department – Indianapolis Division on January 8, 1980, as a Cadet. As a Cadet, I worked as a part-time safety/security officer patrolling campus and hospital buildings, writing parking tickets, providing escorts, and working as a police dispatcher. I also started a work-study program with the Dean of Students’ Office. In May of 1981, I achieved my Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice, and in June of 1981, I entered my second police academy at IU in Bloomington. I finished my USAF reserve time on July 9, 1981, and graduated from the Indiana University Police Academy, Class #9, on August 14, 1981, as a certified police officer for the State of Indiana. I worked part-time from 1981 to 1983 as a Cadet Officer for IUPD, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs in May 1983, and joined the IUPD full-time on October 9, 1983. I held the rank of Patrol Officer, Detective, Sergeant, and Lieutenant. I was an Evidence Technician, Field Training Officer, Police Instructor, and Master Instructor, and certified in Crisis Management, Crisis Intervention, Dignitary Protection, and Hostage Negotiations. I retired from IUPD on December 31, 2020, with the rank of Lieutenant.

USAF Security Forces Association – Joined in 1986 to stay reminded of where my LE career began

Indy Honor Flight – joined in 2015 as a Guardian for a WWII Navy Veteran to provide him with the flight of a lifetime. I have stayed active with IHF, providing support either as a Ground Crew member or a Guardian.

Indy Metropolitan Military Honor Guard – joined in 2021 to provide military honors to Veterans and their families.

I can honestly say that for 45 years in law enforcement, I was doing what God intended for me to do. I can trace a life of service back to even before my time with the USAF. I began taking on odd jobs around the neighborhood, picking up sticks, locating lost pets, mowing lawns, cleaning out basements and attics, and running errands for neighbors. At age 12, I took over the downtown paper route in my hometown of Peru, IN. The “A” route was along Broadway from the C&O railroad on the south to just past the N&W railroad trestle on the north, including some businesses on a few side streets. I served many business merchants 6 days a week. At age 15, I moved to Scott’s Food Center and served many of the citizens of Peru. I had about 6 years of service experience before I joined the USAF at age 18 and expanded my knowledge of service to the public from my USAF SP experience, which carried over to my LE career at Indiana University.

In Basic, keep your mouth shut and do what you’re told.

When you get to your duty station (even if it’s not one from your dream sheet), do your duty, accomplish your mission, and go home safely.

And don’t forget to embrace the local culture and learn new things.

Advance your education in whatever you feel you need to accomplish in life.

TWS has been outstanding in providing me with support and resources, allowing me to remember and save memories of my military time for my loved ones to read and remember after I’m gone.