FARMINGTON -- The career of a U.S. Marshal occasionally encounters unexpected perks.
On assignment protecting federal judges in New York City, Johnny Larkin was present at the home of New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani during the 2000 Major League Baseball World Series dubbed "the subway series" between cross-town rivals, New York Yankees and New York Mets.
The series opened Oct. 21 with the Yankees beating the Mets, 4-3, in a marathon game that lasted 12 innings and took nearly five hours to complete at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees won 6-5 the next day before the series shifted to Shea Stadium for three games. The Mets won game three, 4-2, then dropped game four, 3-2. The Yankees were positioned to win the series with a 3-1 series lead in game five on Oct. 26. On this night, Larkin was among those gathered at Giuliani's home and witnessed local reactions as the Yankees claimed a 4-2 victory to earn their third consecutive World Series championship.
Larkin enjoyed this working environment as a baseball fan. He was then in the fourth year of a 21-year career with the U.S. Marshal's Service following seven years as a state trooper with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Larkin retired this year, and has imprinted the value of the job upon incoming Farmington senior Caleb Williams.
Two years ago, Williams, then a sophomore, spent a half day with Larkin as a job-shadow. Larkin coached him and revealed the pros and cons of a U.S. Marshal's duties.
"Caleb is a good kid, I'm glad he's making that decision," Larkin said. "He spent about half a day down there. I showed him around. I showed him a video of our academy to give him an idea of some stuff he's got to do. It seems like he knows what he wants and how to get there."
Larkin said the No. 1 thing is to get a college degree and suggests pursuing a major that is related to law enforcement. Williams plans to attend college and major in Computer Sciences.
"He's the one that swayed me that way," Williams said. "It was very interesting. It was very cool."
Larkin has been on assignment in New York City numerous times and admits the downside is being away from home for an extended period.
"My daughter, Brooke, was only six weeks old when I had to leave, the hardest part was being separated from her," Larkin said. "One time I was gone five weeks. My son, Ryan, was only two-years-old and couldn't quite reach the light switch when I left. When I came back, he could reach the light switch. That makes you realize how long you've been gone."
Larkin acknowledges the requirements of passing a law enforcement academy are strenuous.
"The Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy is a real high-stress deal," Larkin said. "It's 24/7, it was really rough. After I went to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy, I didn't think I'd ever go to another academy."
Seven years later, Larkin completed the U.S. Marshal Service Academy and discovered a differing format from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with nights free and weekends off. There were physical demands to meet, something he is confident Williams can handle.
"They're going to hurt you, but if you're in good shape, you're going to recover," Larkin said. "If not, you won't recover and you'll just fall farther and farther behind."
Larkin is aware Williams plays football for the Farmington Cardinals and works out consistently and thinks he will maintain an active lifestyle. The U.S. Marshall Service Academy is 16 weeks. Cadets must pass a physical fitness test on day one including a 1.5 mile run and perform a certain number of sit-ups and push-ups for their age.
"I tell them the good and the bad," Larkin said. "I think Caleb has a good idea, but like anything you're not going to understand it until you get into it."
Williams tuned in, not only to Larkin, but also praising his parents, Paul and Melisa Williams, of Farmington, for training him. Even with the cultural display of aggressive disrespect and violent assaults toward law enforcement in recent years, Williams remains steadfast. His favorite Bible verse is 1 Corinthians 9:25 (NIV) -- Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
"I'm definitely willing to go into this field even though there's a lot of controversy behind it," Williams said. "The way I was raised, I do what I know is right. I feel like all of that came from my parents to be the man of God I'm called to be."
Sports on 06/21/2017