Sheriff’s office response lacking

 Dear Editor,

I feel the need to apprise the community of a situation that happened at our home recently that was very distressing and disappointing.

Our 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe was stolen from its parking area-which cannot be seen from the road. As soon as we realized it was missing, I immediately called the sheriff’s department. This was about 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 10. Feeling everything was under control, I continued with my plans of being out of town for the weekend. When I returned home, and while visiting with friends, I became aware this incident was never heard on our local radio. I made a call to the radio station to verify and, sure enough, they were not aware of it. They did not receive a press release.

I immediately went to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center to visit with Sheriff Joe Sampson. Upon visiting with him, I discovered he was unaware of the theft; he checked and discovered there had not been a press release issued. Sampson called the deputy on duty at the time of my call and discovered a press release had not been made because he was sidetracked on another case. This was not a rookie on the force, but an officer who had been with the sheriff’s department for many many years. (I refrain from telling the number of years in order to keep the identity of the deputy confidential.) I am really troubled to find we have a seasoned deputy, who knew the procedures to follow, but chose to go home after his shift before all his obligations were completed.

As I write this, I have no hopes in ever locating my Tahoe. I do feel if the procedures had been followed, and our community had been aware of the theft, I might have my vehicle back as well as the contents which included some items that can never be replaced-family pictures. (I was headed out Friday a.m. for a scrapping weekend!)

I definitely lay no blame on Sampson. I realize this is his department, but he should not have to spoon feed a seasoned officer, just as no employer should have to keep a watch on a long term employee! I use our nurses at the local hospital as an example: They stay after their shifts to finish the documentations in their patient’s charts. What if they felt no more responsibility than this deputy?

I stress to our community if you should have a vehicle stolen and expect the sheriff’s department to use the help within our community to find its whereabouts, follow up! Obviously our tax dollars are paying for at least one individual we cannot rely upon to follow procedures. Very distressing!

I commend Sampson in all he does; especially when I know he has at least one seasoned officer who isn’t a responsible person. I know he was going to discuss this with the individual, but I’m thinking a more severe punishment would be appropriate. Maybe suspension for a few days, unpaid; maybe a morning after his shift doing paper work under the watchful eye of someone who is responsible and knows the procedures; and lastly, maybe resorting to the old school method of writing “I will do all paper work before leaving my shift,” 100-200 times immediately following his shift. That seemed to solve a lot of problems when I was in school!

Joyce Pearson

Red Oak