175/100 Officer Joseph Stubbs
We were having lunch in a well respected Vicksburg restaurant when a rather unruly customer took a seat near us. We quietly discussed whether he was intoxicated, a bit short of a full deck or simply deaf. The customer settled down and we went back to our lunch. Shortly afterwards, I noted that a police officer had arrived and was talking to several employees around the corner. I also took note that the previously unruly customer was between myself and the long arm of the law.
Not wanting to be on the wrong end of a misfired Taser or even worse, a 40S&W, I decided to meet Johnny Law. That's when I introduced myself to Officer Joseph Stubbs.
Officer Stubbs explained the patron was well known to him, and simply hard of hearing and a little "touched." That's a Southern euphemism for blessed in a way that others are not. At any rate, Officer Stubbs was there simply to visit the girlfriend of his best friend, our waitress.
I learned that Joseph had grown up in Vicksburg and knew the area and it's history well. He patrolled the historic district and provides both the duties of a peace officer and a tour guide. He told us of several unusual hauntings, and out of the beaten path excursions to try some time. He also gave me unfailing directions to Margaret's Grocery.
I asked him to be a part of 100 Strangers, knowing that our meeting would make a good story. I photographed him inside the restaurant, next to where the noon sun filtered through the antique windows. I almost did not write down his name, knowing that it was on his name badge. Thankfully, however, I did make a note of it, because the sun obliterated it in the photograph.
Officer Joseph Stubbs is the 175th stranger in my 100 Strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the flickr group page.
175/100 Officer Joseph Stubbs
We were having lunch in a well respected Vicksburg restaurant when a rather unruly customer took a seat near us. We quietly discussed whether he was intoxicated, a bit short of a full deck or simply deaf. The customer settled down and we went back to our lunch. Shortly afterwards, I noted that a police officer had arrived and was talking to several employees around the corner. I also took note that the previously unruly customer was between myself and the long arm of the law.
Not wanting to be on the wrong end of a misfired Taser or even worse, a 40S&W, I decided to meet Johnny Law. That's when I introduced myself to Officer Joseph Stubbs.
Officer Stubbs explained the patron was well known to him, and simply hard of hearing and a little "touched." That's a Southern euphemism for blessed in a way that others are not. At any rate, Officer Stubbs was there simply to visit the girlfriend of his best friend, our waitress.
I learned that Joseph had grown up in Vicksburg and knew the area and it's history well. He patrolled the historic district and provides both the duties of a peace officer and a tour guide. He told us of several unusual hauntings, and out of the beaten path excursions to try some time. He also gave me unfailing directions to Margaret's Grocery.
I asked him to be a part of 100 Strangers, knowing that our meeting would make a good story. I photographed him inside the restaurant, next to where the noon sun filtered through the antique windows. I almost did not write down his name, knowing that it was on his name badge. Thankfully, however, I did make a note of it, because the sun obliterated it in the photograph.
Officer Joseph Stubbs is the 175th stranger in my 100 Strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the flickr group page.