The Islander newspaper was at the center of a media frenzy surrounding a bizarre but fascinating story, which brought national attention to Gulf Shores during this week in 1979.  The cast of characters and the plot were like a Grisham novel: a local football hero and star NFL quarterback . . .  a fiesty and controversial sports reporter . . .  a small-town south Alabama police chief . . . and an illegal drug possession conspiracy.  And a small-town news reporter was on the scene, too. 

The news stemmed from the arrest of California sports reporter Bob Padecky, who was in Gulf Shores to interview Oakland Raiders quarterback -- and Foley native -- Ken Stabler.  Upon concluding the Stabler interview location and driving just a matter of yards away from his parking spot, Padecky's car was cornered by Gulf Shores police vehicles.  After slapping on the cuffs, officers pulled a magnetic keyholder box from beneath the wheel well of the reporter's car . . . which appeared to contain a quantity of cocaine.  Were the police were tipped off of possible illegal drug possession by the California "stranger"?  Answers to that question and many others surrounding this incident remain unclear to this day.

Padecky was arrested and jailed.  Upon hearing his full story, Police Chief James Maples agreed the incident smelled of a setup.  Padecky was released from jail, though according to him, remained in custody and eventually escorted back to the Pensacola airport under armed guard, to assure he boarded his plane out of town.  The investigation continued, though no formal charges were ever brought. Padecky levied charges of Federal civil rights violations for his treatment by local police.  The national media descended on the sleepy resort town on the Gulf beaches.  Along with the FBI, of course, and its investigation of a potential federal civil rights case.

Speculation arose, and many questions were asked, about Stabler's possible involvement.  He told the Islander at the time -- and has maintained his account through the years -- that he played no role and had no knowledge of the incident, nor has he ever been legally implicated.

The story has been covered by newspapers around the world, as well as Sports Illustrated's 30th anniversary follow-up feature.  And it all started with the Gulf Shores Islander at the epicenter of a national media event.  Our reporter Jesse Winder happened to be at the police station when Padecky was in "custody".  He had the initial and most first-hand news access in the media (besides Padecky himself), and his photos appeared as you see accompanying this 'Throwback' article.  Winder is also quoted in the Sports Illustrated article.

Following is the full text of our local article about the FBI's arrival, from February 7, 1979.  Also in that edition, ads appeared for portable Am radios for $3.88.  Five pound of bananas cost a dollar.  A 10-pound bag of Russet potatoes, 98 cents.  Gulf Coast White Knight Seafoods of Gulf Shores advertised 'The Finest Seafood in America', with flounder for 35 cents a pound. 

(Throwback Thursday is a weekly feature on GulfCoastNewsToday.com featuring local news events, as covered during the same week in history by Gulf Coast Newspapers)

FBI investigates police action (The Islander -- Gulf Shores AL)

FBI agents were in Gulf Shores last week trying to determine if Sacramento Bee sportswriter Bob Padecky's civil rights were violated when he was arrested by Gulf Shores police Jan. 22 (1979).

The investigation, performed as a matter of routine by the FBI, arose after a first-person article written by Padecky circulated over the national wire services.  In that article, Pacecky complained he had been confined in a smelly cell, then being used as "bait" in a police stakeout which included five police cars and an eight-man guard.  He said Gulf Shores police told him his "life could be in danger" if he told what happened.

Padecky concluded his account by saying that he was escorted "under armed guard" to the Pensacola Airport by Chief James Maples, who carried a "machine gun" and a .357 magnum.

Maple said the article was "totally blown out of proportion."  He pulled out his standard .38 pistol and asked, "Does this look like a 357 magnum?"

Possession of machine guns by the police department would be a violation of Federal law, according to Maples.  The closest thing the police possess is standard semi-automatic rifles.

Following regulations, the Mobile FBI office already has dispatched a civil rights report to Washington, which in turn will be forwarded to the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department for review.

If further action is indicated, it will be handled from Washington in conjunction with U.S. Attorney William Kimbrough.