TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE

Tony Bowling has spent the last 20 years protecting the staff teachers and students who attend Montgomery Central High School. Up before dawn he is among the first to arrive and the last to leave. He is dedicated and prepared, and in a position where failure is not an option, fully committed. He also loves all things Ford.
Story and Photographs by Jack Cheasty

Deputy Sheriff and School Resource Officer Tony Bowling's assigned Ford Police Interceptor is parked in the entrance to Montgomery Central High School announcing police presence to all approaching the entrance. It is presence that is the first level of the Force Contiuum.

It’s before dawn on Monday when Tony Bowling enters his police vehicle, a late model Ford SUV, for the 15-minute drive from his home to the Montgomery Central High School complex. This has been his routine for the last 20 years where, as a Deputy in the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, he has been assigned as the school’s SRO or School Resource Officer. He is charged with keeping the children, their teachers, and the school staff safe. He parks his marked police cruiser in front of the main entrance to the high school, where he makes his presence clearly evident. Armed and in uniform, he is both friendly and observant as he greets the arriving students at 0700. His day has begun.

Standing watch over the arriving students s they enter the front lobby of Montgomery Central High School at 7AM. A second school staff member is posted at the door.

In his office located in the center of the building, he monitors closed circuit TV screens covering every door and hall in the school complex. “Visibility is key to a fast interception in the event of an intrusion” he comments. Although all exits doors are locked, they can be opened from the inside for safety.

In the center of the high school's main building, equi-distant to all points of entry, Deputy Bowling, a non- coffee drinker, has his first can of the many Mountain Dews he will drink during the day. of the morning, The closed circuit TV monitor bank covers all points in and out of the school. All but the designated entrances are locked from the inside and are alarmed to alert staff whenever they are opened.

Standing watch over a Junior Varsity baseball game, the first of two he attended on Monday evening Bowling is always the last person to leave the athletic field. On game days his tour of duty lasts 14 1/2 hours.

10-12 hours are common tours of duty in a school where classes are followed by sports and extracurricular activities. His day extends from the first bus arrival to the last fan leaving the bleachers after the school’s baseball diamonds and football field empty in the evenings.

Bowling shares information with Senior, Lilly Fisher about the education programs available for Dental Hygiene Lilly has been considering Dental Hygiene or Dental Assistant after graduation. Stacy Bowling has been a Dental Hygienist for 18 years.

Like all deputies, Tony is well trained in the application of the force continuum that governs the application of necessary force from verbal command to firearms. “In 20 years, I’ve had to draw my pistol only once in this school parking lot, when an unauthorized visitor brought a gun onto the school property.” The individual was arrested without further incident.

Wade Greene a senior and varsity football player speaks with Tony Bowling about his plans for the coming year. He is currently working part time in his uncle's diesel repair facility and he expects he will continue this after graduation.

Tony accompanies Zeus, the family's 2 year old German Shepherd, outside for his morning exercise on the Bowling's six acre farm in Montgomery County.

Married to his high school sweetheart for 28 years, he and Stacy raised their two children here in Montogomery County where Tony’s father spent a career as a detective on the Clarksville Police Department. Both their children graduated from the Montgomery Central School where Tony works. Outside of his career as an SRO, Tony and Stacy are long-term members of Yellow Creek Baptist Church.

Shelly Hanna and her mother Stacy enjoy a Sunday visit in Shelly's home where the family has gathered for Sunday dinner.

Stacy and Tony Bowling stand for the blessing before the family sits down for their meal. In the foreground are Logan Hanna, Tony's son-in-law (left) and their son Wyatt.

Gathering for Sunday dinner is a Bowling tradition which has carried forward to daughter Shelly Hanna's home. From the left are Tony, son Wyatt, Wyatt's girlfriend, Bailey Vining, Logan Hanna, and Stacy Bowling. Not pictured, but present was Shelly.

Palm Sunday at the Yellow Creek Baptist Church in Montgomery County. Pictured In the back (3d) row, seated, are Toy Bowling, his wife Stacy, Tony's mother Carolin Fewless and Tony's stepdad, Danny Fewless. Tony's father David Bowling, passed away when Tony was in middle school.

Tony fits a new rear fender over the wheel of his camper, a converted 1956 Ford bread delivery truck. The fenders had to be cut down to fit. He fabricated an interior camper conversion and painted the vehicle. "The paint still has to be buffed out and clear coat applied" he explained, referring to a meticulous list of tasks which he keeps on all of his restorations.

The family shares a passion for restoring antique Ford cars and trucks to showroom condition. In his lifetime he has completed over 20 full restorations to include a Model T, a 1932 Ford pickup, and a 1964 ½ Ford Mustang, the first edition of the iconic car. When asked if they all run, Tony remarked “I don’t own anything that doesn’t work as it is supposed to.”

Tony's 1920 Model T Ford, an early project which he completely restored to full working order. "They are fun to drive but have no turn signals." A complete wood tool chest containing period tools for this car sits on the driver's side running board.

A 1932 Ford pickup completely restored to include the upholstery. A seatbelt has been installed, although not original equipment. "This model has only one drive's side windshield wiper and a single taillight. For air conditioning, a scoop vent in the hood and the windshield are opened by a mechanical linkage on the dashboard." Tony explained.

"Can you guess my favorite color is blue? Ford blue!" exclaimed Tony as he conducted a tour of his collection. His 1956 Ford Pickup and 1964 1/2 Mustang, (the first year the iconic car was produced) sit side by side in a four-bay garage he built himself to house part of his collection. Nosing out from between them is a toy replica of the '56 pickup he built. "I save by doing everything myself." he commented.