Opie & Cleigh

A Lifetime of Love, War, School, and Murder in 92 Hours Gary Nine Opie & Cleigh @ Copyright 2022 Gary Nine Copyright notice: All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Any mistakes are entirely the authors. Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. For more information, email [email protected] DEDICATIONS To the students, teachers, staff, counselors, assistant principals, district staff, assistant superintendents, superintendents, and school board members who are on the front lines everyday and who truly make the difference for your school communities when tragedy strikes. To Lt. Colonel John Sears, Retired, a great Marine and one of the best humans ever, without John’s encouragement “Opie & Cleigh” would never have been completed. Oorah! To John Schoenauer, Lon McAdam, and Florence and Tom Kirchner; humble, yet shining examples of how to live life when it is really not fair. Hang tough! To my wife, Debra and our children and their families; Jodi and Jeff, and Kyra Ehrlich, Scott and Hollie, Kristopher, KD, and Ellie Nine, Brynn and Shane, Daleigh, KK, Hatcher, and Savanna Ebert, and Amy Hatcher and her children, Mackenzie, and Taytum. Contents DEDICATIONS PREVIEW Cleigh Opie Wonkie Suzie Jasper Rebecca Jasper and Rebecca Suzie Wonkie Suzie Wonkie Opie and Cleigh The Wonk and Suzie Opie and Cleigh The Wonk and Suzie The Wonk Tim Crosley and Dena Huston Jasper and Rebecca Tim and Dena Jasper and Rebecca The Wonk Tim and Dena Jasper and Rebecca The Wonk Opie and Cleigh Dena and Tim Kyle Higgins The Wonk Kyle Opie and Cleigh Kyle and Rebecca Vladdie Jasper and George Opie and Cleigh George Ralston and Chad Knightly Chad Knightly and Cleigh Cooper Chad Knightly and George Ralston The Wonk Bill Mann, Superintendent Rebecca, Jasper, Kyle, and George Opie Cleigh Bill Mann Rebecca, Jasper, Kyle and George Opie George, Jasper, and Becca Vladdie Opie and Cleigh Opie and Cleigh Chad and Debra Bill Mann Rebecca and Jasper Bill Mann at ATM Bill, George, Jasper, and Rebecca Chad and Joanie Opie and Football Team Cleigh and Cheerleaders Sharon Pickett and Student Council Chad at Faculty Meeting Kyle and Student Council Chad`s Video Announcement to Princeton High Students WW and Tomas Chad, Bill, and George Bill Mann and Chief Perry Chad Knightly Vladdie and Tomas OPIE & CLEIGH OPIE & CLEIGH is the story of how a small town responds to the tragic death of a beloved young lady. Police, fire, school, and community are all intimately involved. Thus, there are necessarily many characters; the following cast of characters is provided to assist the reader until they get to know them. (C:= Cast Of Characters (By affiliation or family after Opie and Cleigh) John (Opie) Howard aka “Ope” rhymes with Hope Teacher/Football Coach Cleigh Cooper aka “CC”; Cleigh pronounced “Clay” Teacher/Cheer Coach Princeton School District+ Bill Mann aka “Old Wise Mann” Superintendent Connie Jerek Mann’s Secretary George Ralston Assistant Superintendent Lara Ralston George’s Wife Chad Knightly Princeton HS Principal Debra Knightly Chad’s Wife Joanie Chad’s Secretary Larry Oster aka “Sir Lawrence” Director of Public Relations Veronica Casey Director of Special Services Jon Bradstock Middle School Principal Princeton High School Coaches/Staff Jasper Williamson aka “Jazz” Head Football Coach Sharon Pickett Student Council Sponsor Biggie John JV Football Coach Jenni Isola JV Cheer Coach Ann Tyler Media Center Specialist Williamson Family + Rebecca Clarkin-Williamson aka “Becca” Jasper’s Wife Suzie Williamson Jasper & Becca’s Daughter Helen Williamson Jasper’s