Cooperation; the key to success

In the past, I have quoted Henry Ford as saying, "Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success." Last Monday two people ran on foot after a vehicle pursuit, and at the time information was received that one of the suspects may be armed. A large manhunt followed from multiple agencies that lasted well into the night. I heard police officers, troopers, deputies, and conservation agents all talking on the same channel, working together as we began the process of checking unlocked houses for residents and locating suspicious people as citizens began calling in tips. Then, as it appeared that one of the suspects might get away, people continued to call in tips, and law enforcement continued to look for the suspect even after it was believed he might have fled the area. The night ended with all suspects being captured, and it also showed that not only can law enforcement from multiple agencies work together for the same cause, but that the public can work with them as well.

A few days later, we were searching for a wanted fugitive and again asked for the public's help through our new text alert system. We received information and detectives followed up with leads from helpful citizens; just hours later the suspect was captured and stolen property was recovered and returned to the owner. We also had an incident a while back where a deputy was being assaulted while attempting to make an arrest and was helped by several citizens when someone nearby yelled "officer needs help." The deputy had no major injuries and was able to make the arrest with the help of the citizens.

There are those who chose to break the law, steal from others, assault and victimize the innocent, and they do so without any regard to anyone who is left to pick up the pieces. Every crime cannot be solved, and most of the time someone who has been harmed cannot be made whole again just because the violator was caught and punished. But no matter what the tragedy may be, there is nothing greater than caring people who are willing to stand up and work together for the benefit of those who were wronged.

I would like to thank the citizens for their cooperation and support! Individual efforts are the first step in coming together, but it is the efforts of a combined people for one cause that turn progress into success.