Walker, Texas Ranger (1993–2001): Season 6, Episode 17 - In God's Hands - full transcript
A 6-year-old boy is mortally wounded during a late-night shootout in a residential neighborhood between the Rangers and two criminals; Trivette was involved in the shootout when the boy became caught in the crossfire. Initial findings implicate a woefully remorseful Trivette, who is suspended as the whole incident is being investigated. As he suffers greatly, he must contend with an overzealous investigating officer who wants to convict Trivette and have him removed from the Rangers (the officer had been passed over in favor of Trivette when both were up for being named Ranger) and a careless TV news reporter who constantly and errantly states on the air that the boy was shot as the result of carelessness on Trivette's part. As Walker seeks to uncover the truth, he and Alex help comfort the parents of the boy and pray for a miracle.
( light rock action
theme playing)
(sports buzzer
buzzes, crowd cheers)
(crowd cheering)
Yeah. Yeah! Oh, I love
it. I love it. I love hockey.
Is this great or what?
Get him, Modano!
(whistle blows)
Oh, my gosh.
Man, those guys are rough.
You're one to talk.
(scoffs)
Another goal. Yeah.
They're trailing by six goals.
Eight minutes to go.
No way they can win. Let's go.
No. No, no, no. We gotta stay.
We gotta stay.
( action theme playing)
I'm going. Are you coming?
What?
I'm going.
They can't win. There's
no way they can win.
But... Well... Well...
What choice do I have?
I can't think of any unless
you want to walk home.
Let's go. You...
(grunts)
(buzzer goes off)
You see? That's what I
get for coming with you.
Am I gonna hear about
this all the way home?
Yes. Next time we're
gonna bring my car.
Jeez.
Complain, complain.
Oh, watch it.
(gunshots)
MAN: Get in. Get in.
Let's go. Let's go.
WALKER: Now.
Let's go.
TRIVETTE: This is Trivette.
I got an armored-car
robbery. Reunion Arena.
Two guards down.
Send an ambulance.
(tires squeal)
(horn honking)
(men shouting)
I got that one.
( suspenseful theme playing)
(gunshots)
(police siren blaring distantly)
(people chattering)
TRIVETTE: Texas
Rangers. Get inside.
MAN: Come on. Come on.
WOMAN: Oh, my gosh.
Where the hell are you going?
(grunts)
(growling)
(barks) Go.
(barks)
Cuff him.
Turn over. Hands
behind your head.
Come on, come on.
Oh... Oh, my God.
Walker, I shot him.
I'll get an ambulance.
( dramatic theme playing)
( light rock action
theme playing)
♪ In the eyes of a Ranger ♪
♪ The unsuspecting stranger ♪
♪ Had better know the truth ♪
♪ Of wrong from right ♪
♪ 'Cause the eyes
Of the Ranger ♪
♪ Are upon you ♪
♪ Any wrong you
do He's gonna see ♪
♪ When you're in
Texas Look behind you ♪
♪ 'Cause that's where
The Ranger's gonna be ♪
(indistinct murmuring)
(sobbing)
WOMAN: Please save him.
Oh, dear God, please
save my little boy.
(ambulance doors shutting)
(ambulance starts)
(siren blare)
WOMAN (crying): It
was all my fault, Mike.
I didn't know that the
puppy was outside.
No, it's not your fault.
If I hadn't gone for coffee
after the union meeting,
this wouldn't have happened.
Danny must have gone
looking for his puppy.
My God, the last time I
saw him, he was in his bed.
It's all my fault.
No, no, it's not
your fault, Janet.
It's not your fault, sweetie.
Mom, Dad.
Where you been?
I was over at Sherry's.
When I got home the neighbors
said that a... A cop shot Danny.
Is he gonna be all right?
We don't know yet.
(sobbing)
Mr. and Mrs. McGee,
I'm Ranger Walker.
This is my partner
Ranger Trivette.
We're very sorry about
what happened to your son.
Any word on his condition?
Just that he's critical.
They haven't been
able to stabilize him.
Look, I don't know... I'm...
It's just that, you know,
I didn't see him until
he was on the ground.
And it was dark
and... And I was diving.
I am so sorry.
MIKE: You shot him?
You're the one that shot him?
You shot Danny?
Yes,
and I know that there's
nothing that I would say
that would ease your pain.
All right? I'm just...
I'm truly sorry.
Well, you can take
your truly sorry...
JANET: Mike. Mike, please.
I'm sure that you are, Ranger,
but I think that the only
words which will help right now
are words of prayer.
Our son's life is
in God's hands.
Yes, ma'am.
If there's anything you need...
What I need is for you
to get him out of here.
Let's go.
Ranger Trivette,
Chip Webster, KFZA.
Is it true that you shot the
boy at point-blank range?
No, and I have no
further comment.
CHIP: Was he holding
a toy gun or something?
He said no comment.
The department will
make a statement later.
(shutter clicks)
Mr. McGee, excuse
me. Just a quick question.
Was your son a
member of any gang?
For crying out loud,
he's 6 years old.
Well, then what was he
doing out so late at night?
(crying): Oh, my
God. Oh, my God.
This is all my fault.
Get this.
Mrs. McGee.
Mrs. McGee,
do you normally let your son
out to play this late at night?
You get out of
this room right now.
Please?
Come on.
(sobbing)
Thanks.
C.D.: That's your
last one, Jimmy.
ALEX: C.D.'s right.
You need to be sharp for
the review board tomorrow.
Yeah, sharp.
C.D.: Jimmy, what happened
out in that courtyard?
What happened is I
should have seen that kid.
I know I followed Kroger
into that apartment complex,
and I heard a noise
at the other end
of the courtyard.
And it was dark,
but I saw Kroger rise
up from behind the wall.
I saw a muzzle flash
and I returned fire.
I got up and I
started after him,
but he was gone.
I didn't see the boy
until I came to the
middle of the courtyard.
Are you sure Kroger fired?
I only heard one shot.
Yes, I... I saw a muzzle flash.
Well, he must have
used a silencer.
Yeah, that's what it was.
As tragic as shooting
an innocent person is,
you were returning hostile fire.
She's right, Jimmy.
ALEX: And I'm sure
the review board
is gonna rule it as an
accidental shooting.
I don't care about
the review board.
I should have seen that kid.
I should have seen that kid.
C.D.: Hey, Jimmy.
How are you, son? I'm all right.
I didn't sleep much.
Any word on Danny?
ALEX: He's still listed
in critical condition.
They have him
on full life support,
but the doctors don't want to
operate to remove the bullet
until he stabilizes.
(door opens)
(clears throat)
Good morning.
This hearing can come to order.
You can take your seat, Jimmy.
Our purpose here
today is to, uh, determine
if sufficient evidence exists
to launch a formal investigation
into the shooting of Danny McGee
by Texas Ranger James Trivette.
A preliminary investigation
has been completed
by DPS internal affairs.
Uh, Lieutenant Moffett,
I believe you have the
results of that investigation.
MOFFETT: Yes, I do.
Would you us your
report please, sir?
My forensic people
spent the night
combing the courtyard
of the Maple Crest
apartment complex,
and my investigators
interviewed several eyewitnesses.
It's all in my
report, gentlemen,
but the bottom line is,
this shooting never
should have happened.
COMMANDER:
Thank you, lieutenant,
but, uh, maybe you could
be a little more specific.
MOFFETT: Yes, sir.
I've been able to piece
together a very accurate account
of last night's
unnecessary tragedy.
Ranger Trivette
had just participated
in a major shootout
and a high-speed pursuit.
Though he did not know
if his alleged quarry
was actually in there,
his adrenaline
had to be red-lining
as he entered the
Maple Crest courtyard.
Come on. (cries out)
Even before the tragic shooting,
Ranger Trivette ignored
departmental policy
by allowing his weapon to
traverse innocent bystanders
and in one instance,
actually took aim on and
almost fired at a young couple.
(barks)
Danny McGee was ten feet away
from Ranger
Trivette in plain sight.
Even a moment's hesitation
on Ranger Trivette's part,
and this never would
have happened.
Not one witness saw Kroger
enter or leave the courtyard.
It's doubtful he was even there.
There was only one shot fired.
Ranger Trivette fired it,
and due to his
reckless negligence,
a young boy's life
hangs in the balance.
It is my recommendation that
he be suspended without pay
pending a grand
jury investigation
and what is certain to
be a criminal indictment.
COMMANDER:
Thank you, lieutenant.
(clears throat)
(sighs)
Ranger Trivette,
do you have anything
to say here today
on your own behalf?
Sir, I know I followed
Kroger into that courtyard,
and I know he fired first.
That's all I have to say.
Thank you.
Uh, Ranger Walker,
you were there.
Do you have anything to add
before we adjourn to
deliberate this matter?
Yes, sir.
Ranger Trivette
is one of the finest law
enforcement officers
I've had the honor to work with.
If he said Kroger fired first,
I believe him.
Fair enough.
Cordell, how many
shots did you hear?
I heard one, commander.
That means that Kroger
had a silencer on his weapon.
COMMANDER: Thank
you, Ranger Walker.
And I thank you,
Lieutenant Moffett,
uh, for your preliminary report.
Any questions?
All right. We'll adjourn
now to, uh, deliberate.
Lieutenant Moffett.
Of all people to lead
this investigation.
Why? Who is he?
He's got a grudge against Jimmy.
Jimmy made the Rangers.
Moffett didn't.
WALKER: That's right.
While we cannot agree
with, uh, Lieutenant Moffett's
call for a full grand jury
investigation at this point,
we do believe that there are
enough unanswered questions
to warrant a formal
internal affairs investigation.
Lieutenant, I will expect
your report in six days.
Ranger Trivette, until that day,
you are suspended without pay.
I'm gonna need your
gun and your badge, son.
( melancholy theme playing)
( dramatic theme playing)
WALKER: I'm sorry, Trivette.
ALEX: Only two people
truly know what happened:
the little boy and Kroger.
And I'm gonna find
Kroger and make him talk.
It doesn't matter.
ALEX: Of course it does.
No.
What matters is I shot a kid.
He may die.
I should have seen him.
Finding Kroger's not
gonna bring my bullet back.
I'll see you guys.
(indistinct chattering)
WOMAN: Here he is, guys.
Officer! Officer, over here.
We have a couple
questions for you.
Mr. Trivette, have you
apologized to his family yet?
Is it true that you
didn't even see Kroger
when you entered the,
uh... The courtyard?
MAN: Do you load your own ammo?
Mr. Trivette, what are your
chances of reinstatement
at this point?
MAN: We hear you were suspended.
Is that true?
WOMAN: Do you
feel a lot of support
coming from the community?
Ranger Trivette,
how did you feel
when you realized that
you'd shot a 6-year-old boy?
How do you think I felt?
Why don't you get
the hell out of here?
(cameras clicking) (all
shouting indistinctly)
Get the hell out of here.
Leave me alone.
MAN: Mr. Trivette?
CHIP [ON TV]: And as this
family-provided home video suggests,
now all the McGees
have left to cling to
are images of happier times,
when their little boy
could still laugh and play.
Now with death waiting
just outside the window,
it may take more than a
mother's desperate prayers
to save little Danny McGee.
I'm Chip Webster with the vigil
at Mercy Children's Hospital.
WOMAN: Thanks, Chip.
In other news, the
city council voted
to approve the new
city subway today...
WALKER: Okay,
Floy, where's Kroger?
Laughing at you,
that's for sure.
You know, Walker, I
always get a real warm,
tremendous, deep
sense of justice
every time a cop falls,
but I got to tell you,
it's even sweeter when
he's a Texas Ranger.
(laughs)
Just as sweet as cherry pie.
Do you really believe
I'd rat out my own partner
just so you could save yours?
No way, José.
Got some bad news.
I ain't telling you nothing.
Oh, you will, Floy.
Trust me. You will.
KROGER: You're
part of the Kroger gang
because you're the best.
We train hard, we hit fast,
and take no prisoners.
This work is as wet as it gets.
Anyone have a problem with that?
Good.
Now, I've got a little op
set for a week from today.
Let's get busy.
You, come down this hallway.
You...
(police radio chattering)
(cameras clicking)
Found anything?
No, nothing.
MAN: Why don't you
check around the corner.
Let it go, Walker.
He shot the kid.
He even admits it.
He's a disgrace to the badge.
What are you doing here anyway?
Come to plant a bullet?
Get your buddy off the hook?
I'm not gonna dignify that
with an answer, Moffett.
Hello. Yes?
Hi. Um...
would it be all right if
I saw Danny McGee?
Sorry. Only family's allowed.
Yeah, I know.
Wait. You're, uh... Right.
Could you go ask them?
Just a minute.
I'll... I'll check.
It's okay. Tell them it's me.
Ranger Trivette would
like to see Danny.
No. No. You tell him no.
Okay.
Ted, what did the nurse want?
Oh, nothing, Mom.
She was just
checking Danny's chart.
I'm sorry. The family would
prefer if you'd stay away.
WALKER: What I've got to do
is get Trivette back
out to the scene.
Yeah. Recreate the shooting.
Right. I stopped by his
place, but he wasn't there.
Have you guys seen
him? No, he hasn't been in.
ALEX: No. I tried to
call him several times,
and there was no answer.
He didn't even
have his machine on.
Well, I'm gonna go
see if I can find him.
ALEX: All right.
WOMAN (on TV): Chip
Webster has been following
the Danny McGee story. Chip?
CHIP: This reporter
gave Ranger Trivette
a chance to explain his actions,
but apparently, there
is no explanation.
He remains
suspended without pay,
and that brings us up
to date on this story.
I'm Chip Webster with the vigil
at Mercy Children's Hospital.
WOMAN: And now to
the national forecast...
MAN: Hey.
You.
Aren't you that pig that
panicked and shot that kid?
Man, I'm surprised
you're still walking around.
If it was my kid, you'd be dead.
Hey, I'm talking to you.
Get lost.
"Get lost."
(chuckles)
The only thing's gonna
get lost is most of your teeth.
I'm outta here.
Break it up.
MAN 1: Back up, back
up. MAN 2: That's it.
What are you doing here?
Well, I came in to see
how you were doing.
I'm doing great.
Yeah, I can see that.
Come on. I'll take you home.
Come on.
Leave me alone.
Come on. Let's call it a ni...
Leave me alone!
MAN: That's gratitude for you.
(table rattles)
I told you to leave me alone.
( rock theme playing)
May I help you?
Yeah, um...
I'll, uh... I'll take that
one right there, the .357.
Oh, yeah?
And how old are you?
Eighteen.
Not on your best day, son.
Now, go on and get out of here.
And stay out of trouble.
CHIP: Any news on Danny?
No. Uh, still no change.
Um, my family and I want
to thank the people of Dallas
for their outpouring
of, uh... Of prayers
and best wishes for Danny.
I can't believe so many
people we've never met
could care so much
about our little boy,
and we're sure
that it's your prayers
that are keeping him alive.
CHIP: Are you gonna
make any statement
at Ranger Trivette's hearing?
Are you gonna demand
any severe punishment?
MIKE: No, no, no.
Ranger Trivette
knows what he did,
and, um...
He'll have to carry it with him
through the rest of his days.
Like Danny's life, Trivette's
punishment is in God's hands.
MOFFETT: Returning
to the scene of the crime?
Look at you.
I knew you were a wrong number
the day I laid eyes on you.
Worst thing the
Rangers ever did,
choose a broken-down
jock over a real cop.
The quota at work.
This comes as no surprise.
It was just a matter of time.
You got in a tight
spot, you panicked,
you shot a kid.
Leave it alone, Moffett.
REPORTER: Hey,
there he is. Come on.
(all shout indistinctly)
(engine starts)
REPORTER: Get
it... Get him leaving.
WOMAN: Did
you get it? All right.
( melancholy theme playing)
(beeping)
Thirty years, hard time.
Tell me, Floy, where's Kroger?
Where's Kroger?
Come on, Jimmy. We
know you're in there.
Come on.
Jimmy. (knocking)
Come on, Jimmy.
Open up the door.
For crying out loud,
open up the door, Jimmy.
(door buzzes)
TED: You shot Danny?
TRIVETTE: I should
have seen the kid.
MOFFETT: This shooting
never should have happened.
TRIVETTE: I should
have seen him.
BAR PATRON: If it was
my kid, you'd be dead.
MIKE: Yeah, well, you
can take your truly sorry...
JANET: Mike... Mike, please.
TRIVETTE: Walker, I shot him.
TED: You shot Danny?
TRIVETTE: Yes.
MIKE: Trivette's punishment
is in God's hands.
(sighs)
CHIP (on TV): You
gonna make any statement
at Ranger Trivette's hearing?
Demand any severe punishment?
No, no, no. Ranger
Trivette knows what he did.
He'll have to carry it with him
through the rest of his days.
Like Danny's life, uh,
Trivette's punishment
is in God's hands.
CHIP: Do you have anything
you'd like to say to Trivette?
Trivette.
Drink it.
Trivette, I said, drink it.
Drink it.
What is that?
Cherokee purge.
White Eagle brought
it down himself.
More like Cherokee sewage.
Well, you're getting your
sense of humor back.
Drink more of it.
(stomach gurgles)
(Trivette vomiting)
Well, it's working.
Guess I must have kicked
over the TV set or something.
I don't remember.
It's like I don't know anything.
I don't know.
I know it's been
tough on you, Trivette,
but I never figured
you for a quitter.
Did you ever figure
I'd shoot a kid?
I'd like to go back and
find out if you really did.
What do you mean?
Trivette, your
instincts are too good.
I can't believe that boy was
in your sights when you fired.
You saying Kroger shot him?
I'm saying let's go back
to the scene and find out.
(sighs): I don't know.
Right now I don't even know
if Kroger was in the courtyard.
Hey.
Do you really believe that?
He was there.
Then let's go back and prove it.
( dramatic theme playing)
All right. Let me go take a run.
Clear my head.
I'll meet you there.
(door buzzes)
( suspenseful theme playing)
CHIP: Little Danny
McGee's condition
took a turn for the
worse last night.
A toxic reaction set in,
caused by Ranger Trivette's
carelessly fired bullet,
which remains lodged
in the brave lad's chest.
If the doctors don't
remove it, he'll die,
but the chances of little Danny
surviving such an operation,
an operation that is scheduled
to begin in less than an hour,
are very slim.
( dramatic theme playing)
( suspenseful theme playing)
(gun cocks)
MAN: Trivette.
TRIVETTE: Yes.
I thought I recognized you.
I'm sergeant Ben Rodgers.
I just want you to know that
all of us down at the station
are behind you 100 percent.
What happened to
you and that little boy
is a cop's worst nightmare.
It could happen to any of us.
No matter how it turns
out at that hearing,
we're with you all the way.
That means a lot to me.
Thanks.
Good luck.
And the bullet was
successfully removed.
Now, Danny's condition
is still listed as critical,
but his vital signs are
beginning to improve.
Will he pull through?
We're expecting a full recovery.
What can you tell
us about the bullet?
Excuse me? Ranger
Trivette's bullet.
Was it a hollow-point,
notched, a dumdum, what?
Lieutenant Moffett
of internal affairs
took the slug into evidence.
You'll have to ask
him. Excuse me.
I came to here, I
saw the dog. Bam.
I fired.
Are you sure that's
exactly where you fired?
We've done it 20 times.
I've done it the same
way each time. Yes.
Okay. (motorcycle revving down)
Where are you going?
To find your bullet.
You're not gonna find it.
I'm gonna kill you.
I don't care what a court
and fancy lawyers say.
Easy, son.
You're gonna pay for
killing my kid brother.
Danny's not dead.
They operated on
him this afternoon.
You're lying. You're lying.
No. They said they
couldn't operate,
and the only thing
that's keeping him alive
are tubes and machines,
and nothing can stop
my mom from crying.
You did this.
You did this.
All right. You're gonna pay.
All right. I don't blame you.
If somebody shot a
member of my family,
I'd feel the same way.
You're not wrong for
feeling the way you do.
You're damn straight.
All right, then go ahead.
If you think it's
gonna ease the pain...
You take it from
someone who's been there.
Shooting the wrong
person's not the answer, Ted.
I can't take back the
bullet that hit Danny.
You're not gonna
be able to take back
the bullet that hits me.
(whimpering): I won't
want to take it back.
All right, then shoot.
At least you'll be making
the biggest mistake of your life
in broad daylight. I
didn't have that luxury.
All right?
Easy.
Easy.
Ted.
All right?
It was a good
call. I wasn't lying.
They operated on
him this afternoon.
What?
Your brother's gonna be fine.
He's telling you the truth, son.
And Trivette?
You didn't shoot the boy.
I found your bullet.
Kroger was hiding
behind the fence,
waiting for Trivette.
Both men fired,
but it was Kroger's
bullet that hit the boy.
(barks)
Go.
(barks)
(gasps)
COMMANDER: Thank
you, Ranger Walker.
Lieutenant Moffett,
it's my opinion, sir,
that your personal agenda
led to sloppy follow-up
and false assumptions.
You were so busy trying to
prove that Kroger wasn't there,
you just didn't bother to check
the far end of the courtyard.
If you had, you would have found
Trivette's bullet
lodged in that tree.
( triumphant theme playing)
That was great, Walker.
Did you see the
look on Moffett's face
when Commander Williams
made him apologize?
Hey. I don't know how
I'm gonna thank you.
You'd have done
the same thing for me.
Now that you've got your
badge and your gun back,
we have some
unfinished business.
What, Kroger?
Yep. Floy gave him up.
Let's do it.
How did you get him to talk?
Well, I just made him an
offer he couldn't refuse.
Is that right? Mm-hm.
Tomorrow the
sheriff's department
plans to make a media
show out of destroying
all weapons confiscated
in the last six months.
But by then, they'll
all be in Mexico.
Okay. Two vans, two
teams. Let's get moving.
Texas Rangers, Kroger.
Come on out.
You're under arrest.
KROGER: Time to
earn your keep, lads.
Let's see how
good you really are.
(guns cocking)
Let's go.
Kroger's mine.
(grunts)
You're under arrest, Kroger.
Ah!
(screams)
MAN: I give up.
Don't shoot. I give up.
COPS: Hold fire, hold fire.
All right. Let's move
in. Go, go, go, go, go.
Drop your weapon right now.
Okay.
I got him, I got him.
Hey, Walker, remember that
Stars hockey game we went to?
The one where you
made me leave early?
Yeah. What about it?
They won.
No kidding.
No, I'm not kidding. They won.
Scored seven goals in
the last seven minutes.
Said it was the
greatest comeback
in the history of
hockey they have seen.
I'll be danged.
Yeah, and you made me miss it.
Well, I'm sorry, Trivette.
Are you upset?
No, I wouldn't say I was upset.
Disappointed?
No. No.
Frustrated.
No.
Aggravated? Agitated?
Would you let me
tell you how I feel?
You're upset.
(engine starts)
( mellow theme playing)
( upbeat theme playing)
♪ 'Cause the eyes Of
the Ranger are upon you ♪
♪ Any wrong you
do He's gonna see ♪
♪ When you're in
Texas Look behind you ♪
♪ 'Cause that's where
The Ranger's gonna be ♪
theme playing)
(sports buzzer
buzzes, crowd cheers)
(crowd cheering)
Yeah. Yeah! Oh, I love
it. I love it. I love hockey.
Is this great or what?
Get him, Modano!
(whistle blows)
Oh, my gosh.
Man, those guys are rough.
You're one to talk.
(scoffs)
Another goal. Yeah.
They're trailing by six goals.
Eight minutes to go.
No way they can win. Let's go.
No. No, no, no. We gotta stay.
We gotta stay.
( action theme playing)
I'm going. Are you coming?
What?
I'm going.
They can't win. There's
no way they can win.
But... Well... Well...
What choice do I have?
I can't think of any unless
you want to walk home.
Let's go. You...
(grunts)
(buzzer goes off)
You see? That's what I
get for coming with you.
Am I gonna hear about
this all the way home?
Yes. Next time we're
gonna bring my car.
Jeez.
Complain, complain.
Oh, watch it.
(gunshots)
MAN: Get in. Get in.
Let's go. Let's go.
WALKER: Now.
Let's go.
TRIVETTE: This is Trivette.
I got an armored-car
robbery. Reunion Arena.
Two guards down.
Send an ambulance.
(tires squeal)
(horn honking)
(men shouting)
I got that one.
( suspenseful theme playing)
(gunshots)
(police siren blaring distantly)
(people chattering)
TRIVETTE: Texas
Rangers. Get inside.
MAN: Come on. Come on.
WOMAN: Oh, my gosh.
Where the hell are you going?
(grunts)
(growling)
(barks) Go.
(barks)
Cuff him.
Turn over. Hands
behind your head.
Come on, come on.
Oh... Oh, my God.
Walker, I shot him.
I'll get an ambulance.
( dramatic theme playing)
( light rock action
theme playing)
♪ In the eyes of a Ranger ♪
♪ The unsuspecting stranger ♪
♪ Had better know the truth ♪
♪ Of wrong from right ♪
♪ 'Cause the eyes
Of the Ranger ♪
♪ Are upon you ♪
♪ Any wrong you
do He's gonna see ♪
♪ When you're in
Texas Look behind you ♪
♪ 'Cause that's where
The Ranger's gonna be ♪
(indistinct murmuring)
(sobbing)
WOMAN: Please save him.
Oh, dear God, please
save my little boy.
(ambulance doors shutting)
(ambulance starts)
(siren blare)
WOMAN (crying): It
was all my fault, Mike.
I didn't know that the
puppy was outside.
No, it's not your fault.
If I hadn't gone for coffee
after the union meeting,
this wouldn't have happened.
Danny must have gone
looking for his puppy.
My God, the last time I
saw him, he was in his bed.
It's all my fault.
No, no, it's not
your fault, Janet.
It's not your fault, sweetie.
Mom, Dad.
Where you been?
I was over at Sherry's.
When I got home the neighbors
said that a... A cop shot Danny.
Is he gonna be all right?
We don't know yet.
(sobbing)
Mr. and Mrs. McGee,
I'm Ranger Walker.
This is my partner
Ranger Trivette.
We're very sorry about
what happened to your son.
Any word on his condition?
Just that he's critical.
They haven't been
able to stabilize him.
Look, I don't know... I'm...
It's just that, you know,
I didn't see him until
he was on the ground.
And it was dark
and... And I was diving.
I am so sorry.
MIKE: You shot him?
You're the one that shot him?
You shot Danny?
Yes,
and I know that there's
nothing that I would say
that would ease your pain.
All right? I'm just...
I'm truly sorry.
Well, you can take
your truly sorry...
JANET: Mike. Mike, please.
I'm sure that you are, Ranger,
but I think that the only
words which will help right now
are words of prayer.
Our son's life is
in God's hands.
Yes, ma'am.
If there's anything you need...
What I need is for you
to get him out of here.
Let's go.
Ranger Trivette,
Chip Webster, KFZA.
Is it true that you shot the
boy at point-blank range?
No, and I have no
further comment.
CHIP: Was he holding
a toy gun or something?
He said no comment.
The department will
make a statement later.
(shutter clicks)
Mr. McGee, excuse
me. Just a quick question.
Was your son a
member of any gang?
For crying out loud,
he's 6 years old.
Well, then what was he
doing out so late at night?
(crying): Oh, my
God. Oh, my God.
This is all my fault.
Get this.
Mrs. McGee.
Mrs. McGee,
do you normally let your son
out to play this late at night?
You get out of
this room right now.
Please?
Come on.
(sobbing)
Thanks.
C.D.: That's your
last one, Jimmy.
ALEX: C.D.'s right.
You need to be sharp for
the review board tomorrow.
Yeah, sharp.
C.D.: Jimmy, what happened
out in that courtyard?
What happened is I
should have seen that kid.
I know I followed Kroger
into that apartment complex,
and I heard a noise
at the other end
of the courtyard.
And it was dark,
but I saw Kroger rise
up from behind the wall.
I saw a muzzle flash
and I returned fire.
I got up and I
started after him,
but he was gone.
I didn't see the boy
until I came to the
middle of the courtyard.
Are you sure Kroger fired?
I only heard one shot.
Yes, I... I saw a muzzle flash.
Well, he must have
used a silencer.
Yeah, that's what it was.
As tragic as shooting
an innocent person is,
you were returning hostile fire.
She's right, Jimmy.
ALEX: And I'm sure
the review board
is gonna rule it as an
accidental shooting.
I don't care about
the review board.
I should have seen that kid.
I should have seen that kid.
C.D.: Hey, Jimmy.
How are you, son? I'm all right.
I didn't sleep much.
Any word on Danny?
ALEX: He's still listed
in critical condition.
They have him
on full life support,
but the doctors don't want to
operate to remove the bullet
until he stabilizes.
(door opens)
(clears throat)
Good morning.
This hearing can come to order.
You can take your seat, Jimmy.
Our purpose here
today is to, uh, determine
if sufficient evidence exists
to launch a formal investigation
into the shooting of Danny McGee
by Texas Ranger James Trivette.
A preliminary investigation
has been completed
by DPS internal affairs.
Uh, Lieutenant Moffett,
I believe you have the
results of that investigation.
MOFFETT: Yes, I do.
Would you us your
report please, sir?
My forensic people
spent the night
combing the courtyard
of the Maple Crest
apartment complex,
and my investigators
interviewed several eyewitnesses.
It's all in my
report, gentlemen,
but the bottom line is,
this shooting never
should have happened.
COMMANDER:
Thank you, lieutenant,
but, uh, maybe you could
be a little more specific.
MOFFETT: Yes, sir.
I've been able to piece
together a very accurate account
of last night's
unnecessary tragedy.
Ranger Trivette
had just participated
in a major shootout
and a high-speed pursuit.
Though he did not know
if his alleged quarry
was actually in there,
his adrenaline
had to be red-lining
as he entered the
Maple Crest courtyard.
Come on. (cries out)
Even before the tragic shooting,
Ranger Trivette ignored
departmental policy
by allowing his weapon to
traverse innocent bystanders
and in one instance,
actually took aim on and
almost fired at a young couple.
(barks)
Danny McGee was ten feet away
from Ranger
Trivette in plain sight.
Even a moment's hesitation
on Ranger Trivette's part,
and this never would
have happened.
Not one witness saw Kroger
enter or leave the courtyard.
It's doubtful he was even there.
There was only one shot fired.
Ranger Trivette fired it,
and due to his
reckless negligence,
a young boy's life
hangs in the balance.
It is my recommendation that
he be suspended without pay
pending a grand
jury investigation
and what is certain to
be a criminal indictment.
COMMANDER:
Thank you, lieutenant.
(clears throat)
(sighs)
Ranger Trivette,
do you have anything
to say here today
on your own behalf?
Sir, I know I followed
Kroger into that courtyard,
and I know he fired first.
That's all I have to say.
Thank you.
Uh, Ranger Walker,
you were there.
Do you have anything to add
before we adjourn to
deliberate this matter?
Yes, sir.
Ranger Trivette
is one of the finest law
enforcement officers
I've had the honor to work with.
If he said Kroger fired first,
I believe him.
Fair enough.
Cordell, how many
shots did you hear?
I heard one, commander.
That means that Kroger
had a silencer on his weapon.
COMMANDER: Thank
you, Ranger Walker.
And I thank you,
Lieutenant Moffett,
uh, for your preliminary report.
Any questions?
All right. We'll adjourn
now to, uh, deliberate.
Lieutenant Moffett.
Of all people to lead
this investigation.
Why? Who is he?
He's got a grudge against Jimmy.
Jimmy made the Rangers.
Moffett didn't.
WALKER: That's right.
While we cannot agree
with, uh, Lieutenant Moffett's
call for a full grand jury
investigation at this point,
we do believe that there are
enough unanswered questions
to warrant a formal
internal affairs investigation.
Lieutenant, I will expect
your report in six days.
Ranger Trivette, until that day,
you are suspended without pay.
I'm gonna need your
gun and your badge, son.
( melancholy theme playing)
( dramatic theme playing)
WALKER: I'm sorry, Trivette.
ALEX: Only two people
truly know what happened:
the little boy and Kroger.
And I'm gonna find
Kroger and make him talk.
It doesn't matter.
ALEX: Of course it does.
No.
What matters is I shot a kid.
He may die.
I should have seen him.
Finding Kroger's not
gonna bring my bullet back.
I'll see you guys.
(indistinct chattering)
WOMAN: Here he is, guys.
Officer! Officer, over here.
We have a couple
questions for you.
Mr. Trivette, have you
apologized to his family yet?
Is it true that you
didn't even see Kroger
when you entered the,
uh... The courtyard?
MAN: Do you load your own ammo?
Mr. Trivette, what are your
chances of reinstatement
at this point?
MAN: We hear you were suspended.
Is that true?
WOMAN: Do you
feel a lot of support
coming from the community?
Ranger Trivette,
how did you feel
when you realized that
you'd shot a 6-year-old boy?
How do you think I felt?
Why don't you get
the hell out of here?
(cameras clicking) (all
shouting indistinctly)
Get the hell out of here.
Leave me alone.
MAN: Mr. Trivette?
CHIP [ON TV]: And as this
family-provided home video suggests,
now all the McGees
have left to cling to
are images of happier times,
when their little boy
could still laugh and play.
Now with death waiting
just outside the window,
it may take more than a
mother's desperate prayers
to save little Danny McGee.
I'm Chip Webster with the vigil
at Mercy Children's Hospital.
WOMAN: Thanks, Chip.
In other news, the
city council voted
to approve the new
city subway today...
WALKER: Okay,
Floy, where's Kroger?
Laughing at you,
that's for sure.
You know, Walker, I
always get a real warm,
tremendous, deep
sense of justice
every time a cop falls,
but I got to tell you,
it's even sweeter when
he's a Texas Ranger.
(laughs)
Just as sweet as cherry pie.
Do you really believe
I'd rat out my own partner
just so you could save yours?
No way, José.
Got some bad news.
I ain't telling you nothing.
Oh, you will, Floy.
Trust me. You will.
KROGER: You're
part of the Kroger gang
because you're the best.
We train hard, we hit fast,
and take no prisoners.
This work is as wet as it gets.
Anyone have a problem with that?
Good.
Now, I've got a little op
set for a week from today.
Let's get busy.
You, come down this hallway.
You...
(police radio chattering)
(cameras clicking)
Found anything?
No, nothing.
MAN: Why don't you
check around the corner.
Let it go, Walker.
He shot the kid.
He even admits it.
He's a disgrace to the badge.
What are you doing here anyway?
Come to plant a bullet?
Get your buddy off the hook?
I'm not gonna dignify that
with an answer, Moffett.
Hello. Yes?
Hi. Um...
would it be all right if
I saw Danny McGee?
Sorry. Only family's allowed.
Yeah, I know.
Wait. You're, uh... Right.
Could you go ask them?
Just a minute.
I'll... I'll check.
It's okay. Tell them it's me.
Ranger Trivette would
like to see Danny.
No. No. You tell him no.
Okay.
Ted, what did the nurse want?
Oh, nothing, Mom.
She was just
checking Danny's chart.
I'm sorry. The family would
prefer if you'd stay away.
WALKER: What I've got to do
is get Trivette back
out to the scene.
Yeah. Recreate the shooting.
Right. I stopped by his
place, but he wasn't there.
Have you guys seen
him? No, he hasn't been in.
ALEX: No. I tried to
call him several times,
and there was no answer.
He didn't even
have his machine on.
Well, I'm gonna go
see if I can find him.
ALEX: All right.
WOMAN (on TV): Chip
Webster has been following
the Danny McGee story. Chip?
CHIP: This reporter
gave Ranger Trivette
a chance to explain his actions,
but apparently, there
is no explanation.
He remains
suspended without pay,
and that brings us up
to date on this story.
I'm Chip Webster with the vigil
at Mercy Children's Hospital.
WOMAN: And now to
the national forecast...
MAN: Hey.
You.
Aren't you that pig that
panicked and shot that kid?
Man, I'm surprised
you're still walking around.
If it was my kid, you'd be dead.
Hey, I'm talking to you.
Get lost.
"Get lost."
(chuckles)
The only thing's gonna
get lost is most of your teeth.
I'm outta here.
Break it up.
MAN 1: Back up, back
up. MAN 2: That's it.
What are you doing here?
Well, I came in to see
how you were doing.
I'm doing great.
Yeah, I can see that.
Come on. I'll take you home.
Come on.
Leave me alone.
Come on. Let's call it a ni...
Leave me alone!
MAN: That's gratitude for you.
(table rattles)
I told you to leave me alone.
( rock theme playing)
May I help you?
Yeah, um...
I'll, uh... I'll take that
one right there, the .357.
Oh, yeah?
And how old are you?
Eighteen.
Not on your best day, son.
Now, go on and get out of here.
And stay out of trouble.
CHIP: Any news on Danny?
No. Uh, still no change.
Um, my family and I want
to thank the people of Dallas
for their outpouring
of, uh... Of prayers
and best wishes for Danny.
I can't believe so many
people we've never met
could care so much
about our little boy,
and we're sure
that it's your prayers
that are keeping him alive.
CHIP: Are you gonna
make any statement
at Ranger Trivette's hearing?
Are you gonna demand
any severe punishment?
MIKE: No, no, no.
Ranger Trivette
knows what he did,
and, um...
He'll have to carry it with him
through the rest of his days.
Like Danny's life, Trivette's
punishment is in God's hands.
MOFFETT: Returning
to the scene of the crime?
Look at you.
I knew you were a wrong number
the day I laid eyes on you.
Worst thing the
Rangers ever did,
choose a broken-down
jock over a real cop.
The quota at work.
This comes as no surprise.
It was just a matter of time.
You got in a tight
spot, you panicked,
you shot a kid.
Leave it alone, Moffett.
REPORTER: Hey,
there he is. Come on.
(all shout indistinctly)
(engine starts)
REPORTER: Get
it... Get him leaving.
WOMAN: Did
you get it? All right.
( melancholy theme playing)
(beeping)
Thirty years, hard time.
Tell me, Floy, where's Kroger?
Where's Kroger?
Come on, Jimmy. We
know you're in there.
Come on.
Jimmy. (knocking)
Come on, Jimmy.
Open up the door.
For crying out loud,
open up the door, Jimmy.
(door buzzes)
TED: You shot Danny?
TRIVETTE: I should
have seen the kid.
MOFFETT: This shooting
never should have happened.
TRIVETTE: I should
have seen him.
BAR PATRON: If it was
my kid, you'd be dead.
MIKE: Yeah, well, you
can take your truly sorry...
JANET: Mike... Mike, please.
TRIVETTE: Walker, I shot him.
TED: You shot Danny?
TRIVETTE: Yes.
MIKE: Trivette's punishment
is in God's hands.
(sighs)
CHIP (on TV): You
gonna make any statement
at Ranger Trivette's hearing?
Demand any severe punishment?
No, no, no. Ranger
Trivette knows what he did.
He'll have to carry it with him
through the rest of his days.
Like Danny's life, uh,
Trivette's punishment
is in God's hands.
CHIP: Do you have anything
you'd like to say to Trivette?
Trivette.
Drink it.
Trivette, I said, drink it.
Drink it.
What is that?
Cherokee purge.
White Eagle brought
it down himself.
More like Cherokee sewage.
Well, you're getting your
sense of humor back.
Drink more of it.
(stomach gurgles)
(Trivette vomiting)
Well, it's working.
Guess I must have kicked
over the TV set or something.
I don't remember.
It's like I don't know anything.
I don't know.
I know it's been
tough on you, Trivette,
but I never figured
you for a quitter.
Did you ever figure
I'd shoot a kid?
I'd like to go back and
find out if you really did.
What do you mean?
Trivette, your
instincts are too good.
I can't believe that boy was
in your sights when you fired.
You saying Kroger shot him?
I'm saying let's go back
to the scene and find out.
(sighs): I don't know.
Right now I don't even know
if Kroger was in the courtyard.
Hey.
Do you really believe that?
He was there.
Then let's go back and prove it.
( dramatic theme playing)
All right. Let me go take a run.
Clear my head.
I'll meet you there.
(door buzzes)
( suspenseful theme playing)
CHIP: Little Danny
McGee's condition
took a turn for the
worse last night.
A toxic reaction set in,
caused by Ranger Trivette's
carelessly fired bullet,
which remains lodged
in the brave lad's chest.
If the doctors don't
remove it, he'll die,
but the chances of little Danny
surviving such an operation,
an operation that is scheduled
to begin in less than an hour,
are very slim.
( dramatic theme playing)
( suspenseful theme playing)
(gun cocks)
MAN: Trivette.
TRIVETTE: Yes.
I thought I recognized you.
I'm sergeant Ben Rodgers.
I just want you to know that
all of us down at the station
are behind you 100 percent.
What happened to
you and that little boy
is a cop's worst nightmare.
It could happen to any of us.
No matter how it turns
out at that hearing,
we're with you all the way.
That means a lot to me.
Thanks.
Good luck.
And the bullet was
successfully removed.
Now, Danny's condition
is still listed as critical,
but his vital signs are
beginning to improve.
Will he pull through?
We're expecting a full recovery.
What can you tell
us about the bullet?
Excuse me? Ranger
Trivette's bullet.
Was it a hollow-point,
notched, a dumdum, what?
Lieutenant Moffett
of internal affairs
took the slug into evidence.
You'll have to ask
him. Excuse me.
I came to here, I
saw the dog. Bam.
I fired.
Are you sure that's
exactly where you fired?
We've done it 20 times.
I've done it the same
way each time. Yes.
Okay. (motorcycle revving down)
Where are you going?
To find your bullet.
You're not gonna find it.
I'm gonna kill you.
I don't care what a court
and fancy lawyers say.
Easy, son.
You're gonna pay for
killing my kid brother.
Danny's not dead.
They operated on
him this afternoon.
You're lying. You're lying.
No. They said they
couldn't operate,
and the only thing
that's keeping him alive
are tubes and machines,
and nothing can stop
my mom from crying.
You did this.
You did this.
All right. You're gonna pay.
All right. I don't blame you.
If somebody shot a
member of my family,
I'd feel the same way.
You're not wrong for
feeling the way you do.
You're damn straight.
All right, then go ahead.
If you think it's
gonna ease the pain...
You take it from
someone who's been there.
Shooting the wrong
person's not the answer, Ted.
I can't take back the
bullet that hit Danny.
You're not gonna
be able to take back
the bullet that hits me.
(whimpering): I won't
want to take it back.
All right, then shoot.
At least you'll be making
the biggest mistake of your life
in broad daylight. I
didn't have that luxury.
All right?
Easy.
Easy.
Ted.
All right?
It was a good
call. I wasn't lying.
They operated on
him this afternoon.
What?
Your brother's gonna be fine.
He's telling you the truth, son.
And Trivette?
You didn't shoot the boy.
I found your bullet.
Kroger was hiding
behind the fence,
waiting for Trivette.
Both men fired,
but it was Kroger's
bullet that hit the boy.
(barks)
Go.
(barks)
(gasps)
COMMANDER: Thank
you, Ranger Walker.
Lieutenant Moffett,
it's my opinion, sir,
that your personal agenda
led to sloppy follow-up
and false assumptions.
You were so busy trying to
prove that Kroger wasn't there,
you just didn't bother to check
the far end of the courtyard.
If you had, you would have found
Trivette's bullet
lodged in that tree.
( triumphant theme playing)
That was great, Walker.
Did you see the
look on Moffett's face
when Commander Williams
made him apologize?
Hey. I don't know how
I'm gonna thank you.
You'd have done
the same thing for me.
Now that you've got your
badge and your gun back,
we have some
unfinished business.
What, Kroger?
Yep. Floy gave him up.
Let's do it.
How did you get him to talk?
Well, I just made him an
offer he couldn't refuse.
Is that right? Mm-hm.
Tomorrow the
sheriff's department
plans to make a media
show out of destroying
all weapons confiscated
in the last six months.
But by then, they'll
all be in Mexico.
Okay. Two vans, two
teams. Let's get moving.
Texas Rangers, Kroger.
Come on out.
You're under arrest.
KROGER: Time to
earn your keep, lads.
Let's see how
good you really are.
(guns cocking)
Let's go.
Kroger's mine.
(grunts)
You're under arrest, Kroger.
Ah!
(screams)
MAN: I give up.
Don't shoot. I give up.
COPS: Hold fire, hold fire.
All right. Let's move
in. Go, go, go, go, go.
Drop your weapon right now.
Okay.
I got him, I got him.
Hey, Walker, remember that
Stars hockey game we went to?
The one where you
made me leave early?
Yeah. What about it?
They won.
No kidding.
No, I'm not kidding. They won.
Scored seven goals in
the last seven minutes.
Said it was the
greatest comeback
in the history of
hockey they have seen.
I'll be danged.
Yeah, and you made me miss it.
Well, I'm sorry, Trivette.
Are you upset?
No, I wouldn't say I was upset.
Disappointed?
No. No.
Frustrated.
No.
Aggravated? Agitated?
Would you let me
tell you how I feel?
You're upset.
(engine starts)
( mellow theme playing)
( upbeat theme playing)
♪ 'Cause the eyes Of
the Ranger are upon you ♪
♪ Any wrong you
do He's gonna see ♪
♪ When you're in
Texas Look behind you ♪
♪ 'Cause that's where
The Ranger's gonna be ♪