In 2004, a monument to the traffic police officer Grechikhin was erected in Belgorod. In his hometown, he worked at the post for more than 35 years, protecting the peace of the citizens and keeping the roads in order. Already more than 20 years ago Pavel Kirillovich passed away, but the inhabitants of his hometown remember "the most honest traffic cop" and, passing by the monument, slow down as a tribute.
Childhood and youth
Pavel Grechikhin was born in 1928. When he was 15 years old, he voluntarily went to the front and became the “son of the regiment”. Six months later, he returned to his native village of Pokrovka, learned to be a tractor driver and stayed here to work until he was drafted into the army.
After completing a long-term service in 1957, he joined the police, and in 1960 he was appointed to the post of inspector of the road patrol service. Local residents say that during the patrol of Pavel Kirillovich, there were no serious accidents in this area. And all because the drivers tried to drive past him carefully.
Traffic police inspector Grechikhin at work.
The strictest and fairest guard
Promotional video:
Everyone is equal before the law, thought Pavel Grechikhin, and strictly followed this rule. He could stop the grandmother, who was crossing the road with her granddaughter in the wrong place, write out a fine, and then strictly ask if she understands what example she is setting for the child. After such admonitions, adults tried not to break the rules, because they are an example to follow.
Grechikhin's principledness sometimes seemed excessive, even absurd. So, once he fined his wife for crossing the road in the wrong place. She brought him pies to the post where he was standing and crossed the road while there were no cars.
Pavel Kirillovich with his grandson.
He repeatedly wrote out fines to his son, which was very undesirable for him, because at that time he was the driver of the first secretary of the regional committee of Belgorod. And once he fined and brought himself to administrative responsibility. As Grechikhin later admitted, he got distracted and drove through a red light. He did everything as it should be: he drew up the protocol, got himself a ticket to the rights.
This story could be attributed to the category of urban legends, but the museum of the Department of Internal Affairs of the Belgorod Region keeps the same punched ticket, where the driver is listed in the column:
Grechikhin P. K. Driver's license 213892 UD series.
And lower:
Position and surname of the person who issued the coupon. Senior State Traffic Inspector P. K. Grechikhin
Military awards Pavel Kirillovich Grechikhin.
Risking my life
Once a column of buses was passing through Belgorod, and Grechikhin stopped the last of them. They say that Pavel Kirillovich had a flair for violators, and this time it did not disappoint either. The Pazik was driven by a drunk driver. He cursed and persuaded the officer to let him go, when he was refused, he got on the bus and drove straight to the inspector.
Grechikhin came to his senses already in the hospital ward. He really did not want to worry his wife, and asked not to inform her about the incident.
This was not the only time the inspector risked his life. In 1976, he stopped the car in which the wanted dangerous criminal was. When asked to show documents, the driver took out a weapon and fired. However, Grechikhin still managed to detain him. Pavel Konstantinovich was awarded an order for the capture of the criminal and wounding.
Monument to Grechikhin.
In tribute
Belgorodsky is not the only monument to Grechikhin. On the Moscow-Simferopol highway in 2011, Pavel Kirillovich's motorcycle was restored and installed on a pedestal. The event was timed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the State Traffic Inspectorate in memory of the legendary incorruptible traffic cop P. Grechikhin.