An Internal Affairs cop from L.A. who really hates dirty cops, reluctantly gets involved in the murder investigation of his dad, the Sheriff of a small New Mexico town, whom he hasn’t seen since he was in short pants.  When he accidentally discovers evidence that makes it look like his dad was dirty, he is shocked to his core.

SYNOPSIS:

An armored car dusts down a prairie road. On an overlooking bluff, an outlaw gang led by Levon start their Harleys and go roaring after. It’s a stagecoach robbery, 21st century edition. Sheriff John Bass, Sr. rides to rescue too late. All he finds is blown open armored car, dead guards and a few scattered money bags.

John Bass, Jr,(Jack) Internal Affairs detective in the big city, L.A., has an equally bad day as his bust blows up in his face and is latter bawled out by his Captain. Later, Jack gets a phone call. His dad (John, Sr.) was killed apparently making a routine traffic stop and is told about the arrangements for the funeral. Jack has been estranged from his father since his mother left his dad when he was six and moved to big city. But is the only surviving heir so makes trip to New Mexico planning to catch red-eye back.

After funeral, acting sheriff Boone gives Jack ride back to airport, stopping at Bass Sr.’s house to find deeds, will, etc. They both search for papers. Jack discovers in old hiding place he remembered from youth a scrapbook of his accomplishments, and a money bag from the armored car robbery! Jack quickly covers it up. His old man a dirty cop? Jack’s conflicted. Tells Sheriff Boone he’s changed his mind, will stick around for a few days to help in the investigation.

Jack is temporarily deputized and assigned to ride with a senior deputy, Battle Younger, African-American, whom he’ll meet the next day. At local diner Jack meets Katie, the waitress and her six year old son, Joey. And gets into an altercation with Levon and his biker gang. Levon considers Katie his property. Jack is saved by Battle from a beating in the parking lot. Battle was his dad’s best friend, but Battle makes clear he thinks Jack’s unworthy of his old man.

The next day Jack rides with Battle in his patrol car. After they come to blows, the two gradually bond as they combine their very different skill sets (high tech computer savy vs. low tech cowboy) to discover who killed Jack’s dad. They uncover a vast conspiracy involving corrupt cops, dirty bankers and Indian accomplices. Jack falls in love with Katie, saves her kidnapped son from Levon, and in proving his dad’s innocence comes to really know his old man and respect him, and gain a surrogate father figure in Battle.