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PLACERVILLE POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION PRESS RELEASE 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2008 

MEDIA CONTACT: Bill Sullivan ([email protected]) 

WEBSITE: www.hangtowncops.org 

“Tackleberry” Wilson and “Blaze” Lockwood have deep ties to annual Derby 

Contributors to annual charity enjoy giving back to the event where they once competed 

By Bill Sullivan

PLACERVILLE, CA – This Sunday afternoon the Placerville Police Officers Association will present the 35^th annual Hangtown Destruction Derby at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. As many derby veterans as well as new faces are expected to grace the roster, their will be many volunteers working to present the event that were once masters of destruction themselves.  

Among the former drivers that will be lending a hand, will be well known Placerville resident and pastor Don Wilson and former Placerville officer Rich Lockwood. In present times, Wilson is the associate pastor for ColdSpringsCommunityChurch, the track chaplain for Placerville Speedway and a chaplain for the El Dorado County Sheriffs Office. Lockwood is enjoying retirement, but returns annually to act as the flagman for one of El DoradoCounty’s oldest and largest charitable events. 

Today, Wilson and Lockwood both have their important roles when it comes to the annual Hangtown Destruction Derby. However, back in the day, these two gentlemen were behind the wheel, mastering mechanical mayhem when they were both acting law enforcement officers. Lockwood was known as “Blaze” to his feared counterparts. Wilson was apparently the more “silent but deadly type” and never donned an intimidating knickname that is somewhat of a destruction derby trademark. 

Lockwood is icon of the Hangtown Destruction Derby, always wearing his bright red firesuit with his knickname “Blaze” embroidered across it, visible to the drivers and fans as he flags each event from start to finish, watching each competitor like a mother bear spying her cubs to insure all are safe during the competition. Wilson can be found in the pit area of the derby, talking with drivers, performing a prayer during the drivers meeting and kicking off the opening ceremonies with a invocation. Although they hold important roles in the derby today, both men take great pride as once being derby daredevils. 

“Rich ran the derby much more than I did. I have known him since 1988,” said Wilson. “He was the chief of the Jackson Police Department and I was an officer for AmadorCounty. Our departments worked very closely so I got to know him well.” Lockwood also worked with Wilson’s father in law, Buddy Trumbo who was the Police Chief in nearby Plymouth and the two were known to play jazz together before they retired from law enforcement. 

Back in the early days, the Hangtown Destruction Derby was open to only law enforcement officers. If you were an officer and you were aquainted with Lockwood, there was little doubt you were destined to be in the destruction derby at least once in your career. 

“I did the derby in 1986 and 1987 when I worked for the Woodland Police Department,” said Wilson. “I paid $300 for a Dodge Monaco from and old man that had to give it up because of his eyesight. I drove it for two years and later decided to derby it. I placed third in the super main and got $100 in silver dollars. The next year my car was donated by a local dealership so I didn’t have anything invested in it, yet I didn’t win anything either.” 

Although it was over two decades ago, Wilson vividly remembers the days he drove in the derby, from the waving of the green flag to the checkered. He explained how this event is one of great camaraderie among law enforcement officers. 

“Back in those days they ran separate heats for the Chrysler Imperials because they were tanks and always won,” Wilson explained. “The Super Main included everyone including the Imperials. When I took third place it was just three Imperials and myself left running and they disqualified one of them for going out on the dry dirt and getting a full head of steam before plowing into me. When it was all over the first place driver and myself were the only ones that were able to drive our cars away, everyone else was towed. It was a lot of fun and camaraderie for me as I was a young cop only out of the academy by two years.” 

Like Wilson, Lockwood too is a destruction derby junkie and can go on for hours describing each hit he made in his days behind the wheel. Additionally, he knows the details of nearly every derby that has taken place in Placerville. Lockwood has only missed one Hangtown Destruction Derby during his life when his late wife became ill a few years ago. Prior to moving back to California, he would fly in all the way from Arkansas to continue his tradition of flagging the event. 

“There is nothing that gives you more of an adrenaline rush that driving in a destruction derby,” said Lockwood, following the 2007 event. “You’re are out there trying to eliminate the others and trying to protect yourself. It’s not as easy as it looks but it’s a whole lot of fun even if you don’t win. I’ve only missed one of these derbies. I can remember back when there were so many cars they circled the entire track for the super main.” 

This Sunday afternoon, Wilson and Lockwood will reunite at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds for the 35^th running of this classic fundraiser that benefits various charities including youth sports groups, children;s charities and the annual Placerville Police Department’s Christmas Party for underprivileged children. The event is fun for the entire family and all residents of El DoradoCounty are encouraged to come out and show their support. 

The grandstands at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds will open at 1 p.m. on Sunday and the first heat race of the derby is set to begin at 3:00 p.m. following opening ceremonies and the popular parade of entrants. An early arrival to the speedway is suggested as last year the grandstands were nearly filled to capacity prior to the opening event. Adult tickets to the derby are just $10 at the gate. Children 12 and under are $4, unless they attend the auto races the night before and receive a complimentary ticket to the derby. For further information on the event, the official website of Placerville Police Officers Association can be viewed at www.hangtowncops.org and information can also be found on the speedway’s website at www.placervillespeedway.com. 

PHOTO ATTACHED, Photo by Bill Sullivan 

Don Wilson, chaplain for Placerville Speedway and the Hangtown Destruction reflects on the days he once competed in the Hangtown Destruction Derby. Known as “Tackleberry” to his counterparts, Wilson placed as high as third in the Super Main in his day and continues to be involved as the chaplain for the event and area law enforcement.