Everyone just called him, "Pink." Pink was his last name. I feel sure that I once knew his given name, but it has long since faded deep into the recesses of my ever failing memory. Pink was a black man, a good dedicated, hard working part of the Abilene Police Department. He was the janitor, city jail cook, and all around handy man at the Abilene Police Department. There were no kitchen facilities at the Police Department. Pink cooked the food at his home and brought it to the jail. Prisoners were fed twice per day. Pink also raised and lowered the Flag each day on the flagpole in front of the City Hall. At the time I joined the Department in 1954, he had already been there for a number of years.
When jail trustees were assigned to perform work in and around the City Hall, Pink was their Supervisor. Other than supervising jail trustees, pink did not work in the City Hall. His duties were otherwise limited to the Police Department. A janitorial staff was assigned to the City Hall.
Pink wanted to be and was recognized as part of the Abilene Police Department. At some point in time someone had given him a navy blue APD uniform cap to wear. He wore it with pride without insignia. Every time Police Officers received new uniforms, Pink received a new cap. In cold weather, he often wore a wool navy blue uniform shirt without badge or insignia.
As best as I can remember, Pink retired about the time we moved to the new City Hall facilities on Walnut Street. I do not remember him ever working in the new facilities. I also do not remember the janitorial situation in the new facilities. Pink was an important part of the Abilene Police Department.
When jail trustees were assigned to perform work in and around the City Hall, Pink was their Supervisor. Other than supervising jail trustees, pink did not work in the City Hall. His duties were otherwise limited to the Police Department. A janitorial staff was assigned to the City Hall.
Pink wanted to be and was recognized as part of the Abilene Police Department. At some point in time someone had given him a navy blue APD uniform cap to wear. He wore it with pride without insignia. Every time Police Officers received new uniforms, Pink received a new cap. In cold weather, he often wore a wool navy blue uniform shirt without badge or insignia.
As best as I can remember, Pink retired about the time we moved to the new City Hall facilities on Walnut Street. I do not remember him ever working in the new facilities. I also do not remember the janitorial situation in the new facilities. Pink was an important part of the Abilene Police Department.
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