82-year-old tackles suspect, says he's OK
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LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — An 82-year-old Washington man said he was a little sore but otherwise OK after tackling and helping police catch a felon one-third his age.
Terry Miracle, of Longview, was weeding in his garden Friday when heard a commotion. It was police chasing a burglary suspect identified as 27-year-old Morgan Perry Bluehorse.
"You could even hear the pounding feet," said Miracle. "A bunch of shouting."
As officers chased him through yards and over fences, Miracle could hear them coming closer, The Daily News reported Sunday. Miracle told the newspaper that he got into position, remembering his high school football training from 65 years earlier, and the suspect came barreling around the house.
"He was looking back over his shoulder to see where they were, and he turned around the corner of the house and he was coming at me just like the runners used to do when I played football," Miracle said.
He ran toward the suspect, who halted and stumbled as Miracle launched a "cross-body block."
"I kicked out my knee, as I always did with a cross-body block, and caught his knee with my knee," Miracle said. "He went down and so did I."
The suspect got up and started running again, but the delay gave police time to catch up. An officer slammed into his chest: "It sounded like somebody hit the bass drum, and he went back down this time," Miracle recalled.
Miracle played second string center for the Puyallup High School football team.
Bluehorse, of Kelso, was booked for investigation of second-degree burglary related to an earlier investigation, third-degree theft, trespassing, resisting arrest, obstructing an officer, malicious mischief and methamphetamine possession. He also had a no-bail Department of Corrections warrant, Hallowell said.
Bluehorse has a long criminal history involving burglary. In 2004, he was sentenced to nine years in prison for burglarizing 14 Longview businesses
Longview Police Sgt. Mike Hallowell joked that it "it took a Miracle" to catch the bad guy.
KATU's Dan Cassuto contributed to this story.
The guy looks good for 82, good job Terry.
"Longview Police Sgt. Mike Hallowell joked that it "it took a Miracle" to catch the bad guy."
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Ha! Â Doesn't get more literal that that. Â He truly is a Miracle. Â They weren't wusses playing football back in the day either. Â They didn't use much padding or armor like we do today. Â
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Miracles Do Happen! Way to go Sir, thanks for getting a Tweeker off the streets.
Hats off to Mr. Miracle. When are these whipper-snappers gonna learn not to test the meddle of octogenarians?
Way to go Mr. Miracle! You guys aren't called the greatest generation for nothing!
Well done, sir...very well done...!!!
Good job, Terry; you may be an inspiration for the young folks out there!
Sounds like with his criminal history, Bluehorse should have been kept in the corral!
Another member of the "Greatest Generation" heard from...! Â Great work, Mr Miracle..! Â :-)
Good job! Somebody buy that man a beer!
 @Jim330rifle Beer, hell! I'll buy the guy a case of Bushmill's!
 @Jim330rifle  Or possibly Lafraig (or however it's spelled!)
This is just AWESOME!!! Way to go Mr. Miracle!!!
It would be interesting to hear his story about getting caught that he will be telling his fellow jail inmates!Â
 @jpk You can be certain it will include something like ". . . honest! A brick wall just appeared in front of me! Knocked me senseless and I have no idea wha' happen'!" . . ."Â
You get the idea. ];->
older people are not suckers. they are the sum total of all of their experiences and acquired wisdom and education. in this case, football tactics. outmaneuvering younger, more foolish and inexperienced opponents is what they do best. i am glad mr. miracle, so aptly named, put himself out there for his community. Â
@Wendy Maddy Reminds me of that old joke about the old rooster and young rooster. "Age and experience will beat youth and enthusiasm every time."
Great job Mr. Miracle!  I'm glad he was not hurt in doing this. Â
Now that is a story worth reading. Way to go Mr Miracle.
The police are so inept it took a miracle in the form of an 82 year old man to catch the suspect. Awesome! Hero of the week. I'd like to buy him a drink. Bluehorse should count himself lucky he didn't end up on the wrong end of a shovel or rake.
"The police are so inept it took a miracle in the form of an 82 year old man to catch the suspect."
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From the story, the police were chasing the criminal, which means he was ahead of them, however they would have caught him. It was fortunate Mr Miracle was in the path.
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 Why do people feel the need to put down the police? I for one admire and respect the majority of law enforcement, who do a job most are unwilling or unable to do.
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@Just Lookin "Why do people feel the need to put down the police?" Because a lot of people think they should be able to get away with anything and hate the fact that the cops are there to stop them. My grandfather told me the only time you need to worry about the cops is if you do something against the law. He was right; even the times I have screwed up they have always treated me well.
 @The Resistance It took one more person willing to help in the right place at the right time. Bet you'd have just stood there and watched and done nothing... unless, of course, you were cheering the guy on to get away!
@starshadow --- granted you are right about more than one person. You are wrong about me standing there and watching, I would have done what ever it took to stop the guy. You probably wouldn't even know this was happening unless your mom yelled to you over your videos games what was happening.
Finally, there is a good news for my New Year.
Good job at getting involved apprehending this suspect!
Too bad there wasn't video footage of this play! That would of been classic!!  Way to go, Mr. Miracle!! Bluehorse down!!
 @Justanother1 Dude, you're right about the video footage but iit's "That would HAVE been classic" not "That would of been classic."
@Jim @Justanother1
So, in the process of criticizing Justanother1's grammar, you spelled it with two i's. I guess that makes you special, huh? Why do you grammar police think you need to catch every little error when you can't spell yourselves?
 @Jim @iamtroglodite Oh, I don't care.  OF - HAVE - either way, Mr. Miracle is awesome and I think that was what the story was all about.  If Jim feels better having (or is that of? LOL) correcting me, then GREAT! Thank you, Trog, for standing up for me. You're awesome too!!!
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Awesome!
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that one less weed in society, good job
Good job! How much of a weeny does that guy feel like now? hahaha
Good job man!