The Big Cowboy

Originally Aired: June 1, 1954 Dragnet #250, "The Big Cowboy," Sergeants Joe Friday and Frank Smith respond to a Code 3 call for unknown trouble at an apartment court on La Miranda Street. When they arrive, they find nothing apparently wrong until a gunshot rings out from one of the units. The manager, Marshal Rice, nervously explains that tenant Dudley Gray has barricaded himself inside his apartment and started shooting. Rice reveals that Gray, who lost his job two months ago and is six weeks behind on rent, has become increasingly unstable and paranoid, convinced that Rice is having an affair with Gray's wife Charlotte. According to Rice, the situation erupted that morning during a discussion about remodeling work. Gray flew into a rage, threw his coffee cup against the wall, and ordered Rice out of the house with threats of violence. Charlotte and the children fled the apartment shortly after without taking any luggage, suggesting she plans to return once her husband calms down. Now Friday and Smith must figure out how to safely extract the armed and emotionally volatile man from his apartment, while Rice pessimistically insists the only solution is deadly force.