5 months ago
STOCKTON, CA - As a sergeant in the homicide division of Stockton police, it was not a typical assignment for Mel Greer.
"My assignment that day was to get him (Michael Jackson) in as quietly as possible. It was made very clear it was to be low-profile," said Greer.
He's retired now, but Greer clearly remembers Michael Jackson's visit to Stockton 20 years ago to comfort the survivors of the Cleveland School shooting.
"It was good for the kids, because everyone - school officials, police and fire - our primary concern was the children," said Greer.
But getting Jackson in and around Stockton without fanfare was a lot easier said than done.
"We could see cars in front and cars as they pass, they'd look and it was like they were saying 'oh my God, is that who I think it is?' Then their expression would change, like, 'no it can't be,'" Greer remembered.
At Cleveland School, a huge crowd had gathered anticipating Jackson's visit. Greer and other cops had a plan.
"We had the limo show up on one side of the school, which attracted most the people. Then in one of our detective units, drove him to the back, let him out and escorted him into the school," said Greer.
When Jackson finally met with kids at Cleveland, who'd seen so much tragedy just a few weeks before, Greer was impressed.
"Very nice guy, and quiet and unassuming. He spoke to them (children) on their level, not above them," said Greer.
News10/KXTV
