I recently found out that Steven Seagal who was born in Lansing, Michigan on April 10, 1952 has been a reserve sheriff’s deputy in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana for 20 years. The Los Angeles Times questions whether he has served with them for 20 years.
Regardless of how long he has been with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Department he is now an active member of the force according to Steven Seagal: Lawmen series on A&E Network. The premiere show attracted 3.6 million viewers a record for any original A&E show ever showing the drawing power of Siegel.
Last night I watched three episodes of the show and Seagal is in the middle of the action in some of the toughest neighborhoods in Jefferson Parish.
Bystanders Ask For Autograph
When he arrived at some of the crime scenes some of the bystanders recognized him and asked for his autograph. The show gives the viewers a glimpse into what it is like for a police officer to face criminals with guns and how their life could end at any moment. They never know when a criminal who is walking down the street ahead of them and asked to stop may spin around and start shooting at them.
One of the episodes showed Seagal helping another member of the force prepare for his shooting test and it was amazing how much better Seagal did at hitting the target than his student. The student needed a 96 on the test and scored a 97 but without the help of Seagal would have been relegated to desk duty as he noticeably improved after the teaching session with Seagal.
Seagal assisted his fellow deputies in learning how to defend themselves on the street by teaching classes giving them the techniques they needed to learn to defned themselves.
Another show featured his two German shepherds being trained to attack anyone breaking into his own home. At first the two canines did not work together well but eventually listened to commands and reacted much better after another training session.
Five Movie Projects in 2010
Seagal still finds time to make movies as he appeared in three movies made in 2009 and has five movies that will be released or starting production in 2010.
Also a Recording Artist
Seagal has released two albums as a guitarist and his music has been featured in some of his films. His Songs From the Crystal Cave album features a duet with Stevie Wonder.
Active in Animal Protection
Seagal is very active in animal protection and the rights of those animals. He has even written to the Prime Minister of India to ask for legal protection for cows. He also wrote a letter to the Thai governement in Thailand in behalf of protecting baby elephants.
Multi-Faceted Career
It is interesting how Seagal finds time to be involved in so many activities. He is an actor, recording artist, reserve sheriff’s deputy, entrepreneur who sells his own energy drink, animal protection activist and aikido instructor.
One thing for certain is that when he hits the streets on patrol at night he is at much risk as any of the other deputies serving with him since his aikido expertise doesn’t matter when a gun is being pulled on him several feet away.
The show is similar to COPS in that it follows the deputies on a typical night on the street as they encounter criminals who are so belligerent that they sometimes kick out the windows of the police unit.
Nostalgia and Now 