Have you been enjoying the chance to spend some time getting to know people in our community? As you know, the best way to learn about someone is to ask questions. In this series we ask ten questions to different individuals so that we can know the folks who live with us here on Cape Cod.
Hello, My Name Is: Brian D. (David) Morrison
Occupation: Police (Peace) Officer, Town of Barnstable, MA
What was your first paying job?
My first ever paying job was a newspaper delivery boy for The Cape Cod Times. The route was inherited from my older brothers and sisters. We all had the same paper route. It was just handed down after one would work it for about two years or so. I think I had it the longest since I was the last one to have the route. I rode my bike and pulled a red radio flyer wagon full of newspapers as well as the old shoulder sling paper bag.
COURTESY OF BPD
When was the last time you laughed really hard?
This happened a long time ago, but we still laugh uncontrollably about it to this day – because nobody was seriously hurt in the end. One time, my partner and I sat down on a beautiful Sunday afternoon to enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. It was busy, as usual. So, we were at a table with several people around us who were all very nice. The only problem was the way our old duty belts were designed (thank goodness they have updated them). I sat down and the arm of the chair rested against the button to my pepper spray in it’s holster and activated the spray ‘just a little bit’. My partner at the time looked up, with a horrified expression when he heard a little hissing sound.
At that very moment we were still okay, but the arm of the chair was stuck in my duty belt on top of the pepper spray button. We were hoping to free the arm without further incident or alarming anyone as to what was happening.
Just when I thought I had it freed, there was a longer more distinct hissing noise. And I thought, “Oh boy.” Still, nobody really knew what was going on. Then the little boy sitting at the table behind me coughed once, then twice and then a third time and then continuously, stating to his mother, “ Mommy it burns.” At that point I knew it was going to be a long evening.
Shortly after the boy coughed, his sister started then the parents then table by table began to cough. A waiter walked into the pepper spray cloud and instinctively opened the door to outside, allowing a gust of wind to come in, swoop up the pepper spray cloud and pushed it through the central ac system! Now instead of two or three tables affected the entire restaurant becomes a bio dome of hazardous vapors.
Of course it was a buffet (I will not give the name) so all the food is now contaminated along with employees and customers. Ambulances were called (all the people involved made full recoveries). The food in the buffet, on the other hand, all had to be thrown away. Thankfully they were able to seal off the kitchen!
The real funny part was when the sergeant at the time arrived. I tried to explain what happened and he said “Oh YOU caused this.” The window on his cruiser promptly went up and he simply shook his head as if I did things like that all the time.
Even still to this day some of the employees at the restaurant are still there! I walk in they say “Please leave your pepper spray in the car. “
Did you grow up on the Cape?
Yes! I was born and raised on the Cape. I did spend a total of seven years over seas in the United States Navy. I’ve seen a many wonderful places and met a many wonderful and different types of people all over the world. Simply amazing. Yet I ended up back here on Cape Cod. Home is where family is and I have a great family and very fond memories of Cape Cod, which is why I came back to stay.
What is your “go-to” spot for a scoop of ice cream?
Hmmm! My go to spot for ice cream? Well this is about the hardest question ever! I love my ice cream and I have many places I love to go. It’s just to hard to pick one, so here are a few (in no particular order): Four Seas, Ben and Jerry’s, Cape Cod Creamery, Partee Freeze, Katie’s, Polar Cave, Sundae School and, in a pinch, Friendly’s. I will say my favorite flavor is a combination of Black Raspberry/Banana from Four Seas.
Do you have a favorite non-profit group here on the Cape?
Lol. I only laugh because I think I belong to just about every organization out there. Kiwanis, Elks, Masons, Shriners, The Moose, The YMCA Y-Achievers, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Toys-4-Tots, Barnstable Youth Commission, and People of Action, to name a few. I assist with so many others. They are all very wonderful, worthy organizations, and are all very important to this and other communities. But, for some reason, my Kiwanis club and all the Kiwanis clubs on Cape Cod are just so amazingly active. I have been involved with them the longest and all the clubs support each other in our joined efforts to change the world ‘One Community, One Child at a Time.’ This is the Kiwanis motto. I love and respect all the other organizations, which is why I belong to them.
What is the one thing you love to do that surprises people the most?
I would say the amount of charity work and community service I do. People are always saying “Wow, I can’t believe all the organizations you belong to, and all the community service and events and everyone you help.”
Most people know I love to help, but when they find out all the things I actually do day in and day out (on top of working 50-60 hours a week), they are usually like, “Man, how do you do it?” I try to stay as humble as apple pie, so I guess that’s why most people don’t know all that I do.
In a parallel universe, what would you be doing?
I always wanted to be a doctor and sometimes I pretend to be Batman, even though my nickname from my very first years on the police force is “The Brown Hornet,” who is pictured on my right arm as a tattoo. The Brown Hornet was the neighborhood hero in the Cosby cartoon that I would watch as a child. He was known for always trying to save the world. But I could also see myself being a teacher or counselor for juveniles or in a position where I have a chance to make a colossal, amazing change in the world. Being the world’s best ice hockey player would be great, too! Of course, I would use that somehow to help kids and the community and try to change the world.
What person had the greatest influence on you?
There have been several people over the years who have influenced me. Obviously, I get my hard work and determination from my father. I get my outgoing and happy and friendly disposition from my mother who, still today, at 86, is very influential in my life. I’m the youngest of seven (five boys and two girls) and I’ve learned something different from each one. My sister, Jeanne, is also highly motivating, hard working and very independent. My brother, Tony, is a very charismatic and caring person. My sister, Kathy, who passed away in her 30s, was also a hardworking and independent and caring person. My brother, Michael, who passed away at 50, was very smart and opinionated (but in a positive way). The little bit of artistic and creativity I have, and my love of sports came from my brother, Jon. And my brother, Paul, is just a good genuine person. And that is just family.
When I was growing up, the village actually raised the kids, just like the old saying: “It takes a village.” Indeed, it does. My family’s friends and the neighbors in the community were all very instrumental in how I grew up and who I became.
Professionally, there were many in the military and many here at the Barnstable Police station from my first three training officers, Rick Morse, Kurt Larivier and Jim Melia, to Sgt. Sean Sweeney and former Chief Paul MacDonald. The list is endless!
But I will narrow it down: My father, who went through a tremendous amount of adversity in Texas where he grew up, to all the struggles he faced here on Cape Cod. He always told me, “Don’t let hatred or negative people ever define who you are as a person or who you become.” And,; “Only worry about those things in which you have the ability to control.”
Finally, at the end of the day, my mother today keeps the torch lit.
If I looked in your refrigerator right now, what would I see?
I haven’t been shopping in forever. But if you were to open my refrigerator right now, you’d see the normal condiments, cheese, filtered water, eggs, butter, some fruits and vegetables… and Arm & Hammer baking soda to keep it fresh. Kind of boring compared to my girlfriend’s refrigerator. To be honest, my wonderful girlfriend does most my food shopping; I just give her my money. We are trying to be healthier so I’m not sure from day to day what I’ll get in my lunch bag, but it’s always great.
If you could go out on a boat fishing for a day, who would you bring?
My father, absolutely! Fishing was the thing I used to do almost daily with him and I miss it immensely. You just can’t go back in time but only in memory. Cherished times for sure. I would also bring my sister, Kathy, and brother, Michael, both who passed before their time and are truly missed.
John F. Kennedy, too. I think he was a pioneer of American history and a very influential person to many and I would like to talk to him. MLK, obviously – one of the country’s most influential people who changed black American history as well as American history for all.
My Uncle Levi, too, because he is just a laugh riot. And Matthew McConaughey and Denzel Washington, two of the coolest men on the planet. Finally, if I had a big enough boat, all my friends and family! Magical!
We are always looking for new people to feature in “Hello, My Name Is…”. If you know an interesting member of the Cape community, please send us their name: [email protected]. When possible, please include their contact information and a little about them.
Thank you!
Want to meet a few other folks? Click here:
Amanda Braga-Tipton, Chaplain Candidate United States Army
Betsy Siggins, Founder of New England Folk Alliance
Tracy Post, Town of Yarmouth Selectman
Joseph Ellia, Chef
Michelle Law, Cotuit Center For The Arts
Timothy Whelan, State Representative, First Barnstable District and Ret. Massachusetts State Police
Emma Dubner, Registered Nurse, Musician (The Ticks), Music Teacher, Junior Roller Derby Coach and Mom
About Cat Wilson
