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Farewell to a Friend
Farewell to a Friend
| Author | Message |
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| Scott Schroeder |
Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 4:51 pm
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Joined: 20 Dec 2007 Posts: 383 Location: Some where on the mountain |
Yesterday Jan 24, at 2:30 AM I walked out the front door of the grocery store I work at in Placerville, Ca. and started my half hour lunch. As I looked across the parking lot I noticed a bunch of police cars, one fire engine and a ambulance. It’s not unusual to see the cops in our parking lot late at night. Working the graveyard shift it’s very common to see our local cops harassing some homeless person or a few kids out on skate boards, but this night was different.
I estimate, at least what I was able to see to be 8 maybe 10 squad cars plus the fire department and the ambulance. As I sat in my truck eating my lunch I wondered what was up? Funny though none of the emergency vehicles had their lights flashing! That felt odd. Obviously something was going on but they didn’t seem to be wanting to attract much attention. I finished my lunch and went back to work. My shift ended at 6:00 AM and I headed home. As I was driving by the back of our store I noticed two cop cars still had the entrance to the back of our store blocked off. All I could figure was the cops were doing some kind of raid on the homeless camp that’s behind our store in the trees and brush. I could never imagine what I was about to find out when I showed later that night to start my next shift at 9:30 PM. As I walked in the front door to start my shift I was bombarded with the tragic news that a long time friend and respected customer of our store was murdered behind our store in the homeless camp somewhere between 12:00 AM and 2:30 AM on that early morning of the 24th. The man murdered was named Otto. He was allegedly shot in the head once and twice in the chest by another man who lived at the homeless camp who until yesterday was only known as the “goat man” because of the pet goat that followed him all over town. The story we’re hearing is Otto and the “goat man” got into some kind of scuffle when the “goat man” pulled a riffle and shot Otto. The allegations flying around the store is that the “goat man” was drunk and also possibly Bipolar. Otto himself was homeless and has been for many years. Otto was the “peace keeper” and “care taker” of the homeless camp. Otto always tried make sure things in the camp stayed on the down-low. He knew if things got out of control it would only attract heat and then the homeless that stayed at the camp would be run off with no place to go. To best describe Otto... if you were to blend the purist of the Hippie era and a mountain man you would have Otto. You could always recognize Otto by his colorful Rasta beret, long hair and fuzzy beard, but most of all by his loyal companion and best friend Otto’s wolf-husky mix dog. Otto and his dog were not only connected as friends but I believe were connected at the soul. Otto has shopped at our store for years! He was there during the Lucky days, the Albertson days and now the Save Mart days. Otto’s dog was like our store mascot, we watched her grow from a pup to a beautiful looking dog. You always knew if Otto was in the store shopping, his dog would patiently lay at the front door waiting for Otto to come out Early in the morning when we’d roll up the back doors to let the vendors in Otto’s dog would wander in our back room to say hello. No one ever seemed to mind, in fact visits from Otto’s dog for a lot of us was a highlight of our day! Otto was well liked and respected by most of all of us in the store. In all the years I never heard one person who worked in our store speak ill about Otto. Otto loved to read and was quite the conspiracy thinker. Myself and Otto had long conversations about conspiracy theories and our government. Conversations I will truly miss as I will truly miss you my brother. As of this morning there is many heavy hearts in our store as the news of the loss of a long time friend and good customer spreads like wild fire. I’m told Otto’s dog evaded capture yesterday as El Dorado County’s finest spent a good part of the daylight hours trying to catch her. Our store workers have committed to trying to get and care for Otto’s dog. Otto I will promise you this my brother, if a decent home can not be found for your dog myself and my wife will take her in and give her the best possible home for her remaining years. Personally I don’t see finding her a home will be much of a problem, she, as you did, have touched many hearts over the years! Thank you for that. Otto, rest in peace my brother. You may be gone but you will never be forgotten. _________________ I will believe corporations are people when Texas executes one! |
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| SharynS |
Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 5:38 pm
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Joined: 28 Jan 2006 Posts: 2883 Location: the 'puter |
Beautiful tribute Scott and a tragic all too familiar story. I'm guessing that many if not most have met and conversed with an "Otto". This story and the thousands like it are proof positive that the insane economic system we've dedicated our brains to, is humanely ill-equipped.
Those of us who still think these are the people who "fell through the cracks" need to give our heads a shake. To fall through a "system" crack you must first have a standing in it. Make no mistake, this isn't a story about people who fell through a crack, it's a story about a system with no room and no place for human diversity. If you don't fit and don't struggle an entire lifetime trying to fit then you're down, out and on your own. Fucking sad when the only system benefit or response for system misfits is body pick-up. _________________ Free speech is the whole thing, the whole ball game. Free speech is life itself. - Salman Rushdie |
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| atuuschaaw |
Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 11:57 pm
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Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 780 Location: an ahwangan |
Very nice Scott! Very nice indeed...and Sharyn is spot on with that system analysis. How sad! 
_________________ "Speaking the truth in times of universal deceit is a revolutionary act." George Orwell |
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| Bill Sable |
Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 12:25 am
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Joined: 14 Feb 2009 Posts: 259 |
Scott, as you know, we see this same sad situation in the City often, way too often.
The "cracks" in the system are more like the San Andreas Fault or the Grand Canyon despite all that city government has attempted to accomplish. I have to say, Brother, that my faith would be even more sorely tried were in not for great-hearted people like you. |
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| Scott Schroeder |
Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 4:50 am
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Joined: 20 Dec 2007 Posts: 383 Location: Some where on the mountain |
Today my wife and I showed up to the El Dorado County Animal Shelter where Otto’s wolf dog “Oya” is being held. We went in to make donations to make sure Otto’s dog wouldn’t go with out the best of what she needed.
We found out “Oya” can’t be released until the investigation by the police dept is completed. Any surviving family members of “Otto’s must be contacted and offered the dog(she is considered personal property) before anyone else could adopt her. We were surprised to find out by the lady at the shelter that the shelter had already received 25 plus phone calls and inquiries by people who knew Otto wanting to adopt or help out with “Oya”. The veterinarian that Otto took his dog to was also trying adopt Oya. We found out that Otto was always up on Oya’s shots, heart worm meds, rabies and her tags. Otto cared for his dog better than her cared for himself, now that’s love! While we were in the shelter checking on Otto’s dog another lady that works at my store came in to check on Oya. She was much closer to Otto than myself. We found out that she is trying to handle all of Otto’s affairs and possibly want to adopt Oya. We didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes that was closer to Otto than us so we’ve just offered financial help with Oya for food and vet bills if needed. We did tell this woman if all other plans fell through regarding finding a home for Oya that we would take her. The woman told us that Otto wanted to be cremated so now our next goal will be to try and raise the money for Otto’s cremation. The woman from my store has taken on a huge responsibility handling Otto’s affairs so we tried to assure her that she didn’t have to do it alone. It’s odd the things that unite people, I’ve worked with this women for quite a few years and never was very close to her but as I watched the tears run down her face as we discussed Otto all I could feel was compassion and a willingness to help. What we found out today is Otto and his companion Oya were much more loved and respected in the Placerville area then we ever imagined! Funny how a homeless man and grocery clerks become so close. Could it be that todays grocery clerks are much closer to Otto’s situation than they were 20 years ago? _________________ I will believe corporations are people when Texas executes one! |
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| GRUMPY |
Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 8:35 am
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Joined: 19 Feb 2006 Posts: 197 |
Nothing against all the fine wives out there, but as we all have heard before, "dogs are a man's best friend." Glad to hear about all the caring people out there. Great job Scott.
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| Scott Schroeder |
Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 3:04 pm
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Joined: 20 Dec 2007 Posts: 383 Location: Some where on the mountain |
Thanks Grumpy, but I just want to make one thing clear, many-many people who knew Otto are involved with trying to make things happen, especially the woman I was talking about in my earlier post. Heather and I are just offering our help at this point.
I come here to tell the story because I feel Otto deserved much more than just being referred to as “transient” or “homeless man”. He had a name, he treated people well and he was a human being! Another interesting story I heard about Otto yesterday, Otto had a degree in “gemology” (study of gems and stones). Our local news paper did a small story in yesterdays paper about Otto where people talked about what a giving and caring person Otto was. I will try and get it posted soon. _________________ I will believe corporations are people when Texas executes one! |
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| ross53 |
Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 12:41 am
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Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 1434 Location: california |
Scott Schroeder wrote: I come here to tell the story because I feel Otto deserved much more than just being referred to as “transient” or “homeless man”. He had a name, he treated people well and he was a human being! Scott, Very familiar and sad story, in San Diego we recently lost the “Man on the bench” homelss man, he collapsed on the street in late August and died at the age of 52. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/nov/01/man-bench/ Scott, perhaps you want to consider creating a lasting tribute to Otto. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/nov/21/memorial-plaque-honors-special-gentle-man/ _________________ " I always wondered why somebody doesn't do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody" Lilly Tomlin. |
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| Scott Schroeder |
Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 4:40 am
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Joined: 20 Dec 2007 Posts: 383 Location: Some where on the mountain |
ross53 wrote: Scott, perhaps you want to consider creating a lasting tribute to Otto. Ross thanks for sharing this story. It's funny you mention this, we were just talking last night about maybe trying to set up some kind of foundation to help homeless people with their pets and calling it the "Otto & Oya foundation". Not even sure where one would start to set up a foundation like that but I'd think it's worth checking out. If not, a plaque might be a nice idea. Thanks for the idea Ross. _________________ I will believe corporations are people when Texas executes one! |
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| ross53 |
Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:22 am
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Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 1434 Location: california |
Scott,
Start here; call Father Joe Carroll at (619) 446-2100 http://www.fatherjoesvillages.org/ I am sure Father Joe will help you and your friends. _________________ " I always wondered why somebody doesn't do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody" Lilly Tomlin. |
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| Scott Schroeder |
Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 4:23 am
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Joined: 20 Dec 2007 Posts: 383 Location: Some where on the mountain |
In the Jan 29, 2010 issue of the Mountain Democrat(our local newspaper) this article describes a little bit about who Otto was as a person.
A few of us from Save Mart have contacted Democrat staff writer Ken Paglia(the writer of the article) to let him know how close Otto was to us Save Mart workers. I received a phone call on my answering machine from Ken today, he wants to do another article on Otto. Funny, If your homeless in this society it takes getting murdered before anyone wants to know who you really were. I also contacted the animal shelter(again) today where Oya is being held, but she can't be released yet pending the on going investigation. _________________ I will believe corporations are people when Texas executes one! |
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