Story Archive

Father of the Year

Samuel L. Wilson, 22, of Connersville, Ind., drove his young son over to a neighbor’s house on his riding lawn mower — Scott McPheeters was out doing yard work. Wilson was “obviously intoxicated,” McPheeters says, and asked to be towed back home. McPheeters instead offered to get Wilson a ride home, which made Wilson “vulgar and belligerent.” McPheeters ushered his children into his house and called for police, and went back outside to “try to calm” Wilson. That’s when Wilson allegedly pulled a knife. McPheeters knew well how to handle that: he’s not only an Indiana State Police trooper, but the police arrived about then. Wilson went on the defensive: he “attempted to use his 5-year-old son as a shield,” a State Police spokesman says. “Officers were able to get the boy free from the man and take him into custody.” Wilson is charged with intimidation, operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a passenger under age 18, and resisting law enforcement. His blood alcohol measured “more than” .16 percent. (RC/Indianapolis Star) ...And his I.Q. measured “less than” 80.