In the opening scene, Ralph "Papa" Thorson (Steve McQueen) arrives in a small town in Illinois where despite being a terrible driver of cars (a running joke used throughout the film), he captures fugitive Tommy Price (LeVar Burton) for fleeing on his bail. Next, Thorson drives to Houston where he is to bring in a dangerous punk, named Billie Joe, whose kinfolk include Sheriff Strong (Ben Johnson), a corrupt redneck lawman who warns Thorson not to get involved. Papa ignores him and ends up in a violent fight with the fugitive, who is so huge, even a beanbag stun gun barely stops him.