Stodgy and overweight, gum-chewing, fast-talking, redneck Sheriff Bill Gillespie (Rod Steiger) supervised the investigation.Trouble briefly arose when Joe was arrested by the FBI after being falsely reported to be a foreign agent (a Japanese spy) by a misinformed, gullible neighborhood boy.However, in the conclusion of the film, after the double-suicide, he AF Major and his girlfriend were determined to proceed with their forbidden (and true) love despite the consequences.With one last embrace and kiss from his mother, Jakie carries through on his threat, rebelling against his father""s wishes and running away from home." When his niece comes out and asks him: "Why didn""t you ever marry?" he ells her of a broken romance with a beautiful blonde in a memorable one-liner:I was in love with a beautiful blonde once, dear.