In 1962 I was working in a Denver meat
packing plant for a magnificent salary
of $55 per week. Part of the job was making deliveries. One day I was sent to
an address just East of the Denver City Park off 17th Avenue with a
large order. The boss didn’t give me a name, only the address. This is an area
with older manor type houses, definitely high rent. There was a courtyard in
back with a detached carriage house. Knocking at the back door, a black lady
answered and requested I take the order downstairs to the basement. No problem.
After one trip, I was at the back of the
truck getting the second load when I heard a voice saying, “let me give you a
hand”. Two huge black hands reached past me. I about shit my pants; thought a
gorilla had escaped from the zoo. It was Sonny Liston, his house, and his wife
that had answered the door. The man had 15” fists.
The woman I married had a summer job at
the Denver Park/Zoo concession stand. She loved Sonny Liston. He would come
strolling up with two good looking women on his arms and buy a pickle for
himself and whatever the ladies wanted. Paid with a $5 or $10 bill and always
told her to keep the change.
My late buddy, Dirty Al Imhoff started
his military career in the Air Force and was on the boxing team. Al was about 6’3”
and had the chance to spar with Sonny Liston at Lowry. As Al told the story, he
was doing well until Sonny Liston did an overhand smack to the top of Al’s
head. Took Al down. He said Sonny Liston was very concerned, “Did I hurt you? I
didn’t mean to”.
Whatever faults Sonny Liston may have
had, he made a real effort to be a good citizen in Denver. Certain elements
within the Denver Police Department were determined to run him out of Denver
(Buster Snyder and Bob Wilkerson to name names). Sonny Liston moved to Las
Vegas. During that time 40 out of a sworn force of 720 or so Denver cops were
convicted of running a burglary ring and sent to prison.
While this may anger readers with LEO
backgrounds, I will say the Ferguson effect is an embedded part of DPD going
back to the start of the city. I personally know officers in nearby
jurisdiction that will not work any joint task forces with DPD, especially the
Narcotics details. Corruption in all areas of Denver government may not be at
Chicago levels but it isn’t a squeaky clean city many believe it to be.
Off track here, but I will always
remember meeting Sonny Liston and remember him as a gentleman.
