Being a Cop in a Small Town in Minnesota

Overview of Small Town Life

• Population: ~10,000
• Location: Surrounded by farmland
• Nature of crimes: Minor (e.g., bar fights, vandalism, petty theft)
• Serious crimes: Rare (e.g., domestic violence, assault)
• General peace and safety

Introducing the Garrity Case

• Jerry and the narrator: Partners on patrol
• Dispatch: Karen (retired librarian)
• Police force: 5 officers

Incident at the Garrity House

• Call from Karen: Possible 1082 (burglary) at Garrity house
• Eileen Garrity: Elderly widow, eccentric, known for false alarms
• Description of town police procedure and previous visits to her house

Arrival at Garrity House

• Eileen’s appearance: Thin, frail, emaciated, dirty
• House condition: Messy, shotgun used, mirrors shattered, closet doors boarded

Inside the Garrity House

• Disturbing observations: Dirty dishes, unkept living conditions
• Jerry found shotgun recently fired
• Eileen’s story: Scratching sounds in closet, hearing husband’s voice, escalating disturbances
• Psychological state: Fear, possible dementia, PTSD-like symptoms

Ensuring Garrity's Safety

• Decision: Take Eileen to a motel for the night
• Promised to find a priest for exorcism
• Eileen’s relief: Momentary comfort at the motel

Tragedy Unfolds

• Early morning call: Eileen missing, motel room in disarray
• No signs of forced entry
• Blood trails end at an empty closet

Reflection and Conclusion

• Reality of mental health issues vs. supernatural elements
• Eileen’s children: Unresponsive to her condition
• Impact on officers: Shock, fear, unanswered questions

Follow-up Incident Three Years Later

• Young woman named Shirley McDougall
• Bizarre encounter: Shirley soaking wet, claimed to be from 1956
• Interaction details: Description of events, inconsistencies (e.g., movie references, obsolete stores, 1950s lifestyle)

Shirley’s Disappearance

• Sudden disappearance from restroom w/o logical explanation
• Connections to past: History of McDougall family, mysterious disappearance in 1956

Newspaper Revelation

• Discovery: 1953 Buick in lake, multiple skeletal remains (Serial killer from the 1950s)

Final Thoughts

• Intersection of past and present mysteries
• Psychological toll on officers