Memories Of Michael

4-07-09) Roberto Alfaro, 52, was a Police Officer with the Hartford, CT (USA) Police Department when he was assigned to Jackson’s security detail a few months after the release of the “Bad” album and at the height of Jackson’s career.

Speaking about Jackson's death, Alfaro says:

“The guy is a musical genius, there aren’t too many people that are like him.”

Alfaro was one of four officers assigned to escort Jackson back and forth from the dressing room to the stage. He says that Jackson was really shy when he first met him off-stage but that he seemed to transform while getting ready for the show.

It was like somebody switched a button on in Michael Jackson, and all of a sudden you could see the intensity in his face. He was so focused on what he was going to do.”

Alfaro remembers the excitement of the crowd and the noise as they chanted "Michael! Michael!"

I felt like I was such a part of this because my adrenaline was pumping also. As we got closer to the entrance, the noise got louder and louder.”

After the show, Jackson thanked the officers as they waited with him until a van picked him up.

Alfaro asked Jackson to autograph two ticket stubs he had saved for his two children. One of those tickets is still intact and provides a peek into the 1980's when a fan could see “Michael Jackson Live in Concert,” presented by Pepsi, for $22.50.

The next day, Alfaro was part of the mounted patrol that escorted Jackson to the venue for his second show. And a year later, Alfaro saw footage of himself and the mounted patrol on a television special.

Alfaro, who retired from the Police Force in 2000, has been writing a memoir that includes details of his experience with Jackson. He says the memoir will be finished soon.

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will share with my kids and my grandkids. I will never get tired of telling this story.”

Source: MJFC / nhregister.com