Back when there were highway patrolmen, there was Curly Long.

“And, if Curly Long got after you, you were caught,” said John Dillard. “There was nobody that Curly Long chased that he didn’t catch. He was like a hound dog after a rabbit. He would stay with you until he got you.”

Long was patrolling the highways in and around Pike County from the mid-1970s until the early 1950s.

“Curly probably worked Pike County more than any other county,” Dillard said. “At least, it seemed like he did.”

Few people, who were speeding up and down the county’s highways and byways during those days, didn’t know about Curly Long, the legendary lawman. And, those who dared exceed the speed limit with Long lurking got his autograph and a chance to tell it to the judge.

“You heard about Curly Long and hoped you never came face-to-face with him,” Dillard said, laughing.

Those who did get “pulled over” by Curly Long, and there were many, have stories to tell. They will have the opportunity to share their Curly Long stories at a reception in his honor at 2 p.m. Friday in the main courtroom at the Pike County Courthouse.

“Curly Long just turned 95 years old and he is the oldest, living state trooper in Alabama,” Dillard said. “That’s quite a distinction. We wanted to honor him and let him know how much he is appreciated.”

Dillard said those who know Long will want to share this time with him. Those who don’t know him personally will want to meet this legendary man.