An excerpt from the book, “Some Gave All,” available on Amazon
By Mike Simmons
End of Watch: Tuesday, March 26, 1974
The town of Crestview, Florida sits on the crest between the Shoal and Yellow Rivers, which run parallel to each other in the panhandle. In 1883, it became a whistle stop for the Pensacola and Atlantic Railroad Company, which was laid along the Old Spanish Trail. From the small community located around the railroad tracks, businesses, stores, and homes began to spring up. Finally, in 1915, Okaloosa County was carved from Walton County to the east and Santa Rosa County to the west. The next year, Crestview incorporated and became the county seat. In 1974, it was a sleepy little southern town. It had a hospital and a courthouse, and the whole town came out when the high school football team, the Bulldogs, played.
Buster Adams grew up in Crestview and was a Crestview High Bulldog. After high school, he, along with many other young men, fought in the Vietnam War, where he was wounded and received a Purple Heart Medal. When he returned to his hometown, he got a job as a Crestview Police Officer.
His talent and ability soon revealed itself when he became an investigator. On March 26, 1974, Glenn and another officer responded to a call of a man with a gun at a bar. When they arrived, they approached the suspect – Foster Taylor – and asked to speak with him. Suddenly, he opened fire, shooting Adams three times and hitting a bystander! Although mortally wounded, Investigator Adams was able to return fire and strike the suspect. Other responding officers also returned fire, fatally wounding Taylor.
Investigator Adams was a Vietnam War veteran and had received the Purple Heart for injuries he sustained during the war. He served as an officer with the Crestview Police Department for four years before becoming an investigator.
On Tuesday, June 15th, 2010, Buster Adams was recognized for his honorable sacrifice for the citizens of the City of Crestview and was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
Rest in Peace, Sergeant
Buster was a great guy. I would call him a gentle bear. We graduated together in 1964. He was respectful, polite and kind. Served his country, came home only be murdered by a alcohol induced citizen. Very sad and we have had many more people killed as a direct results of alcohol consumption.
Thank you for that, Mr. English. I didn’t know Sergeant Adams, but it is good to hear from someone who has.