As Steve Womack stood there, gun drawn, he didnt have much time to think about how choosing a career in law comes with distinct risks. And here he was, just weeks from retirement.
It wasnt until afterward, that Womack reflected on how a successful arrest could have ended in much different circumstances.
Womack, who stepped down Thursday after working 40 years at the Iola Police Department, put an abrupt end to the car chase the afternoon of June 9, a pursuit that started in downtown Iola and ended up at an intersection in the middle of Allen County.
He was listening on the radio as officers and deputies pursued the driver as they traveled south of Iola, east past the Allen County Airport and then north on 2200.
Womack happened to be near 2200 and Nebraska in his unit.
It was lucky for me, unlucky for them, he said.
Womack parked his car near the intersection and laid out spike strips with the hopes of flattening the suspects tires.
He then drew his sidearm, aimed at the approaching vehicle and waited.
The driver had no idea I was there until he saw me, Womack said.
Because Womacks car was too far from the middle of the intersection, he had little protection if the driver veered his way. He easily could have run me over, Womack admitted.
But upon seeing Womack, the driver stopped instantly, surrendering without a fight. A passenger in the car later admitted the driver thought Womack was going to shoot.
I didnt think about it until afterward that I only had eight or nine work days to go and Im doing stuff like that, he chuckled.
Turns out it was the last time Womack drew his gun in the line of duty. As a token of the citys appreciation for his long career with IPD, Womack was allowed to keep his badge and gun upon retirement.
WOMACK, whose career included two brief stints as Iola police chief, spoke to the Register this week, just before he hung up his holster.
An Iola native, Womack knew early on he wanted to be a cop, in part because of a high school program that allowed him to ride along with local officers.
Womack spent several days tagging along both with sheriffs deputies and Iola police officers.
