Page 3 - Point of View
Page 4 - 2015 1st Quarterly Meeting
Page 8 - News From Sheriff’s
Reserves
Page 10 - Monthly Statistics
Page 11 - Thank You For Supporting
the Sheriff’s Cafe
Page 12 - Serving Those We Protect
Page 14 - Recent News
Page 16 - Deputy Coroner’s Sworn Into
Office
Page 17- Clanton Chief of Police
Arrested
Page 19 - A Lunch That Was Worth A
Nickle
Page 21 - Devotional
I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,
always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer…
(Philippians 1:3-4 HCSB)
Encouragement for Coosa County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Terry Wilson
Your Coosa County Sheriff’s Office is
here...
To Serve and Protect
May
2015
Volume 7
Number 5
2
Police Officers Prayer
Lord I ask for courage
Courage to face and Conquer my fears…
Courage to take me Where others will not go…
I ask for strength
Strength of body to protect others And strength of spirit to
lead others…
I ask for dedication
Dedication to my job, to do it well. Dedication to my
community,
To keep it safe…
Give me Lord, concern
For others who trust me
And compassion for
those who need me…
And please Lord through it all
Be at my side...
CJ Editorial Staff
Publisher
Sheriff Terry Wilson
Editor
Chaplain Jeff Fuller (Ph.D.)
Proofreaders
Shelia Thomas
Jamie Thornton
Sheriff Terry Wilson
Ran Wilson
Printing/Distribution
Shelia Thomas
Jamie Thornton
Contributors
Chaplain Jeff Fuller (CCSO)
You are Invited to Attend:
Rockford Baptist Church
9575 Highway 231 Rockford
10:00 AM Sunday School
11:00 AM and 6:00 PM Worship
Dr. Bill King
Mrs. Pam Davis
Reserve Investigator Joel Glover
Reserve Training Officer Rusty Mascari
Photography/Graphics
Joel Glover
Chief Joseph Davidson
Fuller Designs
Jamie Thornton
Published Monthly by
CCSO and FirmFoundations
© 2015
Unless otherwise noted, articles are Public Domain
Original material is the property of the Coosa Journal
and Jeff Fuller
Contact Information
Chaplain Jeff Fuller
SO: 256-377-4622
Office: 256-377-4900
Home: 256-377-4699
Linc: 1*87*20501
Email: fuller0717@gmail
3
The Story of the Fig Tree
By: Dr. Jeff Fuller
Sometimes we find those who get the facts
confused regarding Bible stories. It is not that
people do not know their Bible, they just get
the stories put together in the wrong place.
Relying on memory and what they have been
taught (both can be faulty) is where the confusion comes in and the stories take on a life of
their own.
I was making a visit one day and the
individual I was visiting had been a preacher
of sorts at one part of his life. He was still
healthy, but the mind and the memory was not
what it used to be. We talked about a great
deal of things that day, but during a short interlude he asked a question.
“Hey fellow, do you remember the stories in the Bible related to the fig tree?”
I responded, “I was reading just the
other day about Jesus finding a fig tree without
fruit. He saw that the leaves were beautiful to
look upon but when he lifted the leaves, there
was no fruit. Not a fig to be seen anywhere.”
“Preacher, I remember that one too and
seems that he put a curse on that fig tree and it
dried up.” He paused and there was a faraway
look in his hazel eyes as he sat there in his recliner, then said, “I’ve been pondering over the
fig tree and all those various times that God
found people under one, such as the time in the
Bible someone was fighting under the fig
tree.”
At that moment I was stumped; clueless to what he was speaking about. Using my
limited, human knowledge I desperately tried
to pull from the catalog of my mind the possible story to which he was referring but it was
to no avail. He sat watching me as I ran my
hands through my hair.
Finally, after thinking on it for a few
minutes in the silent living room, I replied that
I was unsure and asked if he could help me
understand.
The reply was a startling revelation.
“It was one of those Old Testament
men fighting with an angel. I believe he was
fighting with angels, not just one angel but a
legion of angels, as they descended and ascended a ladder. This was all going on as he
was resting under the fig tree after a forty day,
forty night journey through the wilderness.
Come to think about it, maybe that was Jacob
and he was fighting with the devil under the fig
tree.”
I was shaking my head in both amazement and amusement.
Yet, he was not complete with his biblical lesson.
“You know the story of Adam under
the fig tree, right? See, Adam was admiring
the beautiful fruit when God spoke to him
from a tumbleweed. God said, ‘Adam.’ Adam
replied, ‘Here I am under the fig tree.’ Then
God spoke, ‘Adam, this day Eve will come to
you three times and she will offer to you the
first time an apple, the second time a pear, and
the third time an orange. Each time she will
ask of you to eat the fruit. Tell her at each
time she asks of you, NO, and on the third time
call the dogs. The dogs will come and eat her
up; save her head, her hands, and her feet.’
Therefore, the saying will be, ‘the dogs consumed all of Eve; except the head that thought
the evil plan, the hands which offered the evil
plan and the feet that took her to conduct an
evil plan.’”
Continued on Page 20
4
This Month’s
Featured Article
2015 First Quarterly Meeting
Quarterly meetings have become the norm since Sheriff Wilson was
elected and now in his third term, these meetings are expected, anticipated and
filled with information. Through several days of planning and preparing the staff
works hard getting ready for the general assembly of the employees and then the
breakout team meetings. It is a time to reflect on the past three months and begin to make plans for the coming days as Coosa County Sheriff’s employees
“Serve and Protect.”
April 8 the first quarterly meeting of the new year was held in the SallyPort. The team assembled to a healthy lunch provided by the Sheriff and then
everyone settled down for the presentation, which began with the Sheriff’s remarks.
2015 Came in with a Roar!
Sheriff Wilson took the lead by stating, “We came out of the holidays working
lots of burglaries and thefts and then we were hit hard with our first murder in 5 years!”
He referenced the ongoing investigation related to the burglaries and thefts, with hopes
those would be presented to the Spring Grand Jury Term. The Sheriff also commented
on the work of his office and other agencies in taking quick and decisive action in bringing three individuals in for the first murder in five years, resulting in their arrest within
48 hours of the crime.
Thanks for Your Hard Work & Dedicated Service!
This year is the “Year of Fitness.” We must be fit in body, mind, heart and spirit.
These all work together to make for a fit, ready member of the team.
“Are you fit?” Sheriff Wilson asked the question of his team and then added, “Have you
started working on it?”
Continued on Page 5
5
For the first time the County Administrator, Sherrie Kelley, attended the quarterly meeting. Mrs. Kelly made several remarks about her work and support of the Sheriff’s Office and introduced the new county “Maintenance Man”, Todd Brown. Mr. Brown
took a few minutes sharing his background and qualifications. As an individual with
deep roots in Coosa County, he is very happy to be a part of the county employees and to
give back to his county.
Safety Brief by Safety Officer Tim Lipscomb
With the beginning of the spring season, it was a time to remind everyone of the
potential for Severe Spring Weather. Lipscomb listed several things to be alert for in the
coming months. These included:
High winds
Hail
Tornados
Flooding
Downed Trees and Power
Lines
He continued by stating
that officers, as well as the general
public need to be prepared to:
•
•
•
•
•
Find a safe location
Give Assistance
Maintain contact with Dispatch for Updates
A very important and vital
issue among officers which find themselves out in the inclement weather is safety.
Lipscomb reminded them to use:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Safety Vest
Body Camera
Seat Belt
Appropriate Speed for the conditions
Limit Use of Devices While Driving
A highlight of each quarterly meeting is a look at the statistics over the past three
months (1st Quarter Statistics).
Administration Statistics
•
Pistol Permits Sold-January: 96; February: 118; March: 147
Jail Statistics
•
•
Average Population-January: 36; February: 32; March: 35
Bookings-January: 27; February: 31; March: 22
Continued on Page 6
6
Law Enforcement Statistics
•
•
•
•
Activities-January: 1230; February: 785; March: 727
Warrants Served-January: 28; February: 38; March: 39
Civil Papers Served-January: 78; February: 61; March: 92
Incident Reports Taken-January: 44; February: 43; March: 49
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
General Accomplishments
•
Three months of general accomplishments were presented as the following:
Hosted Local Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
We all were Sworn In for a New Term
Completed Circuit Court Trial Week
Hosted Deputy Al Bradley’s Retirement
Investigated/Solved the Weogufka Parker Murder
Busted a Hanover Community Meth Lab
Recognized as a new United Way Partner for 2015 campaign (50% Participation so
Far)
Investigated/Solved all 20 Lake Martin Burglaries
• 3 suspects arrested
• 105 Felony Charges
1st Quarter Training Accomplishments
Training is becoming a high priority of the Coosa County Sheriff’s Office and each
year members of the team add to their certifications so they may be better equipped to
serve their fellowman.
• Shelia Thomas attended Sheriff’s Training Course
• Jamie Thornton attended NCIC Certification Class
• Chief Davidson and Lt. Hammond PSN Training
• Lt. Keel and CO Klein attended Southern Software JMS/RMS Class
• Larmon, Barnes, McAnally, Gordon attended Alabama Jail Academy Course
• Hosted an OC Certification Class for Numerous Reserves
• Lt. Keel attended the Alabama Jail Conference
• Sheriff attended the Sheriff’s Winter Conference
Continued on Page 7
The Year
of
“Fitness”
7
Management Staff Reports
Office Manager Shelia Thomas spoke regarding the Ethics Training mandatory for
all employees to be completed by April 30th. Failure to do so results in a $1000 fine by
the State of Alabama for each day overdue. Additionally, all supervisors must complete
Statement of Economic Interest.
Jail Administrator, Cpt. Mike Mull, reported about 911 Equipment Upgrade,
preparations for Grand Jury Inspection, results of the Heath Department Inspection (99
rating), and successfully passing Annual Fire Marshall Inspection of Jail.
Chief Deputy Chief Joseph Davidson reported the CCSO was recently awarded a
Grant for 6 PBT’s, had received possession of a 2015 Charger which was purchased and is
being outfitted for patrol, and annual employee Firearms Training.
1st Quarter Reserve Contributions
The Reserve Unit of the CCSO
continues to make great contributions
to the Sheriff’s Office. Meeting once
each month, members deal with business issues, training and discussions
preparing them for being useful to
deputies and other functions of the office.
Through the Reserves, members
have:
• Provided Safety and Security for
Basketball Games
• Provided That Set of Extra Eyes and
Ears for Deputies
• Participated in COACH Events
• Within the past three months 1738 Hours
Service contributed
2015 Reserve Members
(Some Members Not Present)
of
8
News from the
Sheriff’s
Actions Speak Loudly
By: Joel D Glover
Vice President
Coosa County Sheriff’s Office Reserve
As I write this, after days of peaceful protests, rioting has erupted in Baltimore. Cars are
burning in the streets; businesses have been looted and set on fire. Police officers have
been assaulted and pelted with bricks, rocks and bottles.
Residents of Baltimore are standing in the street some crying – some cheering.
Many are in tears watching their neighborhood being destroyed while others are reveling in the destruction and are saying the police are getting what they deserve. The police are standing by and only engaging the rioters in very few instances. The photos and
video footage looks like something from a third world country.
Of course the media is right in the thick of it. Most are trying to make excuses
for why this is happening while others are condemning the behavior. The prevailing
“reason” given is the young people are upset, angry and frustrated because of the actions
of the police in Baltimore and across the country. I have been upset, angry and frustrated on more than one occasion; however I did not go to Rockford and loot the store
or burn a car in the street. I find it the quintessential irony that someone would claim
they are upset about injustice so they therefore commit unjust acts against innocent
people to prove it.
I found it interesting a man was interviewed and displayed his back and side where he
had been hit with bean bags fired by police. When the reporter asked if he was throwing rocks and bottles at the police when shot, he replied he was; however, he did not feel
he should have been shot with the non-lethal bean bags. I fail to understand that type
of thinking.
Continued on Page 9
9
While we are quick to pass judgment, when it comes to our own actions
we often want no judgment or responsibility. We must ALL remember actions
speak louder than words. What about
us, are our actions beyond reproach?
We must ensure they are.
As I watched the news coverage
they interviewed a Sheriff from Wisconsin. He stated people need to look at
what is happening in Baltimore and understand this is what your city will look
like without police. That is a chilling vision. Pray for calm and common sense.
Reserves Meeting
May 12, 2015
6:00 PM E-911 Building
Top 5
Reserve Deputy Hours
April
Justin Howard ……59 hours
Joe Camp ……53.5 hours
Dave Barnes ……47hours
James Ward ……47 hours
Chaplain Fuller …47 hours
Total Reserve Deputy Hours
568.5
Congratulations Reserve Deputy Jack Brewer on your appointment to Deputy Coroner of
Coosa County.
Here Brewer takes the Oath of Office with wife Kathy, Judge Mitchell and Coroner Alan
Wingfield.
Wendall Weathers was also sworn in as Deputy Coroner, see article on page 16.
10
2015
The Year of
Fitness
Mind, Body, Heart, and Spirt
2015 Monthly Stats
Jan
Calls to
Service/
Activities
Daily Jail
Inmate Average
Prisoner
Transports
Made
Incident &
Offense Police
Reports
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
July
Aug Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Total
1230 785
727
741
3483
38
33
32
35
35
12
12
18
9
51
44
42
49
52
188
Arrests Made
24
32
36
45
137
Warrants
Served
26
38
39
56
161
Tickets Issued
13
31
25
23
92
Patrol Miles
Driven 24,894 24,477 20,845 21,087
Civil Papers
60 92 54
Served 74
Pistol Permits
118 147 110
Issued 96
71,103
280
471
DUI Arrests
2
0
3
1
6
Drug Arrests
3
1
4
3
11
Sex Offenders
Registered
21
10
24
18
73
11
Thank You For Supporting The Sheriff’s Cafe
Despite the wet weather, the Annual
Sheriff’s Café was a success. We pre-sold
over 250 plates and had more than 100
individuals that came to eat with our staff.
Coosa County citizens came out to enjoy
both Smoked Chicken and BBQ lunch plates
piled with BBQ baked beans, cole slaw and
Chaplain Fuller and Sheriff Wilson
bread. The Sheriff’s Office staff would like to
thank those Reserve Deputies and family
members who came to help serve, as well as,
the Coosa County and surrounding area
citizens who participated in our Café. We
hope everyone enjoyed their food while
supporting a worthy cause like COACH.
Sheriff Reserve Deputy’s Serving Lunch
Citizens Enjoying Lunch
Citizens Enjoying Lunch
12
The Yellow Dot Program
The “Yellow Dot” program is designed to assist Alabama citizens and first responders in the event of an
automobile crash or other medical emergency involving the participant’s vehicle. The program can help
save lives during the critical “Golden Hour” by improving communication at a time when accident victims
may be unable to communicate for themselves.
• Pick up a “Yellow Dot” folder here at the Sheriff’s Office, have your photo taken and printed.
• Fill out current medical information and place in “Yellow Dot” folder along with photo.
• Take sticker from “Yellow Dot” folder and place in vehicle’s rear window, or the front window of a motorcycle.
• Place the “Yellow Dot” folder in your vehicles glove box.
A “Yellow Dot” decal on the driver’s side rear window of a vehicle
alerts first responders to check in the glove compartment for the
corresponding “Yellow Dot” folder. Having this information following a crash helps first responders positively identify the person, get
in touch with family or emergency contacts and ensures that the person’s current medications and pre-existing medical conditions are
considered when treatment is administered for injuries.
Project Lifesaver
Project Lifesaver is a radio transmission system designed to assist law enforcement and rescue agencies in
locating lost or missing persons who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Autism, Dementia, or other
disorders that may prohibit them from communicating personal information such as who they are or
where they live. This program is designed for children and adults who have the propensity to wander
from their homes and who may get lost. Project lifesaver can help provide peace of mind to caregivers.
However, it does not replace the need for supervised care.
The transmitter is a small circular radio device on a wristband, approximately the
size of a wristwatch. The transmitters and wristbands are worn 24 hours a day, 7
days a week and are difficult to remove without the appropriate tools. If the participant becomes lost or missing, the Sheriff’s Office and emergency response services
have specialized tracking equipment to help isolate the location of the transmitter
the participant is wearing. The search will start from the last known location of the
participant and work outward until the transmission signal is obtained. The goal is
to determine the location of the signal in a quick, timely manner, minimizing the risk
of harm to the loved one.
CCSO is proud to participate, along with the other agencies in Alabama, in this very worthy and worthwhile program; Sheriff Wilson says this is another way we will live up to out motto, “To Serve and Protect” and he is extremely proud to offer this great service to Coosa County!
For more information about the Coosa County Sheriff’s Office
please visit our web page
13
www.coosacountyso.org
Like our page at
www.facebook.com/coosacounty.so
Neighborhood Watch Program
A citizen’s involvement program where citizens, in cooperation with their local law enforcement agency, directly participate in the detection and prevention of crime. These
citizens keep well informed about their neighborhood and of any suspicious, criminal or
dangerous activities that may be occurring. Coosa County has six com• May 4 - Union Square 6:00 PM
munities that participate with the
• May 7 - Richville 6:30 PM
CCSO in this program. Their meetings
are scheduled every month, the dates • May 11 - Smyrna 6:30 PM
• May 14 - Mt. Olive 6:00 PM
and times are below.
•
•
May 21 - Weogufka 6:30 PM
May 26 - Equality 6:30 PM
CCSO...
To Serve and Protect
Smart Phone App
To download the app.
• Go to your app store
• Search and download the Mobile Patrol app
• Open the app and select Alabama
• Under Agency select Coosa
Some information in the app includes the Jail Population
(Detention), Outstanding Warrants, Crime Tips and the Most
Wanted in Coosa County as well as general contact information
14
Multiple law agencies
solve numerous break-ins
With multiple law enforcement agencies working together, arrests have now been
made in a rash of burglary cases that spanned
three months.
Between November 2014 and January
2015, the Coosa County Sheriff’s Office investigated a total of 20 reports of burglary and thefts
that occurred on the Lake Martin side of Coosa
County, known as the Lake Martin community.
Parker has been charged with 18 of the
However, Coosa
20 Coosa County cases, resultCounty was not the only one
ing in a total of 36 separate
victimized. These were found
charges. However, arrests are
to be multiple-county breakpending for the other suspects
ins, with lake homes in Elallegedly involved in the cases,
more and Tallapoosa counas well.
ties also being broken into.
According to investigaFor all three counties, there
tor Scott Hammond, the two
were a total of 43 burglaries.
other suspects in connection
Now the Coosa
with Parker remain in custody
County Sheriff’s Office is
with other law enforcement
proud to announce that after
agencies. Detainers have been
several grueling months of
placed on them for Coosa
investigation and hard work
County, with warrants already
among all three county ofhaving been signed for them.
fices and investigators, the
Hammond also resuspects are all in custody
ported
that
a few items from
Darilyn Jerome Parker
with the three agencies and
all of the burglaries have been
face large bonds.
recovered.
Working together, the law enforcement
Sheriff Terry Wilson stated, “I am exagencies solved 43 cases of burglary and theft
tremely pleased to inform the victims that
in all three counties with three arrests were
these lake home burglaries have been solved. I
made.
appreciate the hard work all of the neighboring
The last suspect to be arrested was 29- agencies rendered in solving these crimes.”
year-old Darilyn Jerome Parker of Letohatchee.
If anyone suspects or observes illegal
He was arrested on March 31 and placed in the activity, they are encouraged to report it to the
Coosa County Jail. His total bond has been set Sheriff’s Office at 256-377-4922 or online at
at $360,000, and as of press time he remained
www.coosacountyso.org. Anonymous tips are
in custody.
also welcome.
15
Troopers kick off national texting enforcement
crackdown
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency joins anti-texting effort to save lives
From April 10 to 15, Alabama State Troopers
took to the highways to use a combination
of traditional and innovative strategies to
crack down on motorists who text while
driving.
This effort was part of a national
campaign called “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.”
It was an attempt to have a high-visibility
enforcement initiative, blending with intense enforcement of anti-texting laws
through advertising and media outreach to
notify motorists of the initiative and convince them to obey the law.
“Not only is driving and texting irresponsible, it is also illegal,” said Col. John E.
Richardson, director of the Alabama Department of Public Safety, a division of the
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. “People
who break Alabama’s texting law will be
stopped and fined. It’s simple: If you drive
and text, you will pay.”
Violating Alabama’s texting law,
which became effective August 1, 2012, can
be costly. The fine for the first citation is
$25, with fines jumping to $50 for the second violation and $75 for the third or subsequent violation.
In 2013 across the nation, 3,154 people were killed and an estimated additional
424,000 were injured in motor vehicle
crashes involving distracted drivers.
According to a 2014 special article in
the “New England Journal of Medicine,” the
risk of a crash or near-crash among novice
drivers increased with the performance of
many secondary tasks, including texting
and dialing cell phones.
“Some people may say texting while
driving is an epidemic. Well, we believe enforcing our state’s texting law is part of the
cure,” Richardson said.
The U Drive. U Text. U Pay. campaign is national in scope, and it has qualified for and received approximately $8.4
million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to support this
and other efforts designed to fight distracted driving.
However, the state law does not strictly
limit the prohibited activities to just texting. It includes similar activities, as well.
According to Section 32-5A-350 of the Code
of Alabama, “write, send, or read a textbased communication” refers to “using a
wireless telecommunication device to
manually communicate with any person
using text-based communication, including, but not limited to, communications
referred to as a text message, instant message, or electronic mail [email]. The term
does not include reading, selecting, or entering a telephone number or name in a
cell or wireless telephone or communication device for the purpose of making a
telephone call.”
Additionally, law enforcement officers enforcing this section may treat a violation of this section as the primary or sole
reason for issuing a citation to a driver.
To Serve and Protect
16
Deputy Coroner’s Sworn Into Office
On April 14 the Coosa County Commission approved the appointment of two
Deputy Coroner’s by Coosa County Coroner Alan Wingfield. These two appointees will
assist Coroner Wingfield in the work of the Coroner’s Office and serve as representatives
of the elected Coroner.
Reserve Deputy Jack Brewer and Stewartville Fire Chief Wendell Weathers were
appointed to serve and sworn into office that afternoon by Judge Terry Mitchell.
Coosa County has been served well through almost thirty years by Alan Wingfield. He has attended to his job with great dignity and respect. He is well thought of
throughout the county and the state. Yet the time has come for him to have help in
dealing with the demands of the job and make good use of those willing to assist him in
response time to the scene of a death call.
There are a number of subsections to the Alabama Code related to the Office of
Coroner, but in simple language, the
coroner is elected to the office for the
purpose of “determining who the deceased was and how, when, and where
they came by their death. When the
death is suspected to have been either
sudden with unknown cause, violent,
or unnatural, the coroner decides
whether to hold a post-mortem examination and, if necessary, an inquest.”
He or she may appoint deputies
to assist him or her in their work. The code states, “The coroner of each county is authorize to appoint such deputy coroners as are needed, with the prior approval of the
county commission. Any appointment shall be in writing and shall be filed in the office
of the coroner and the office of the judge of probate. The coroner of each county may
delegate any of the powers of the office to one or more deputies who shall then have the
same duties with respect thereto as has the coroner. Any act of a deputy shall be performed in the name of the coroner and signed by the deputy performing the act. A deputy coroner shall hold office during and subject to the pleasure of the coroner. Each
deputy coroner, before entering the performance of the office, shall file with the judge of
probate of the county the bond and oath of office required by law to be filed by the coroner. No compensation shall be paid to a deputy coroner with approval of a majority of
the membership of the county commission.” (Act 2006-581, p. 1527, Subsection 5.)
The coroner and his representatives are independent judicial officials who investigate human deaths. Through this service, the coroner oversees the handling of the
body, transport to a funeral home or a state facility for an autopsy, confirms the identity
of the individual, method of death and various other functions. In Coosa County, these
details are the primary responsibility of the coroner in conjunction with Sheriff’s Office
personnel and First Responders.
17
Clanton Police Chief Arrested
The mayor of Clanton said he is
'It's a tough blow' said
stunned at theft allegations lodged against
Clanton Mayor of Police
the city's police chief and has placed the
Chief's arrest
chief on leave without pay.
"It really upset me,'' Mayor Billy Joe
The mayor has appointed Deputy
Driver told AL.com. "I never would have
Chief Keith Maddox as the acting chief, he
thought such. It really had to be the last
said.
thing in my mind."
Driver said he was notified Tuesday
Chief Brian Stilwell, 44, was arrested
Tuesday on charges related to misappropri- of the allegations against Stilwell. "The District Attorney's Office called me and told
ating Operation Santa Claus funds. He is
me what was going on," he said. "I put him
charged with one count first-degree theft
on leave without pay. Some people don't
and one count fraudulent use of a credit
agree with that, but that's the way I see it."
card, the Alabama Law Enforcement
He said the alleAgency stated in a Tuesgations against the
day news release.
chief don't involve any
The charges are
City of Clanton firelated to monetary donances. Authorities
nations made to the Clanhave not disclosed deton Fraternal Order of
tails about the theft or a
Police lodge's Operation
dollar amount reportSanta Claus, which proedly taken.
vides Christmas presents
Stilwell was
to less fortunate families.
hired as Clanton's top
ALEA officials said other
cop just over six years
potential charges will be
Chief
Brian
Stilwell
ago. He was at the Jemison
presented to the grand jury
Police Department for eight
after further investigation.
"Typically the investigation is over at years prior to his move to Clanton.
"As far as I know, he's done an outthis point but this time it's ongoing,'' said
standing job with our department. He's
Chilton County Chief Deputy District Attorney C.J. Robinson. "There are potentially brought them up to standard against anybody in the state of Alabama as far as
more charges coming, but that's all I can
equipment and what they have to work
tell you."
Stilwell was booked in the Autauga with,'' Driver said. "I'm stunned, to be honest with you."
County Jail. His bond was set at $15,000.
He said the department will conDriver said he has not seen or spotinue do what it is charged to do. "It's a
ken with Stilwell since his arrest. He has
tough blow,'' he said. "But everybody's dodrawn up the paperwork to put him on
ing their job and trying to fight crime."
leave. "I know he knows,'' the mayor said.
"He just hasn't been by to sign anything."
18
Upcoming Sheriff's Office COACH Event
19
A Lunch That Was Worth a Nickel
We call ourselves the Fab Five. Of course, we are smart enough to know that
moniker is not original. We are not The Beatles or the starting lineup for the 1991 University of Michigan basketball team. Our fab five are not necessarily fabulous but there
are five of us. We are five men, older men now, who went through the doctoral program
at New Orleans Baptist Seminary together. We graduated in 1995. Last week we got together for lunch, as we have done periodically for the past twenty years. Our reunions
are often the only time we see one another until the next reunion. We always pick right
up where we left off. We joke and laugh like school boys. We reminisce about the good
old days when we studied, suffered, and stuffed together. Stuffing was, and still is, our
favorite. Our favorite stuffings back then were crawfish and blackened gator, followed
by Café Du Monde coffee and beignets.
All five are still involved in ministry. We bring everybody up to date on what is
going on in our lives and ministries. In more recent years we have also compared the
physical ailments of five “not as young as we were back then men.” Naturally we share a
meal when we get together.
We are scattered across three states. Lex lives in Athens, Georgia; Jimmy in Palmetto, Georgia; Scott in Acworth, Georgia; Gerald in Sweet Water, Tennessee; and I in
Opelika, Alabama. Since New Orleans was too far for any of us to go for lunch, we met
at a Cajun restaurant north of Atlanta. We didn’t have any gator, or coffee and beignets,
but some of us did have crawfish etouffee. Lex had something a little extra in his. In
New Orleans we used to eat king cakes with a toy baby hidden inside. I found a small
pearl in an oyster once. I guess in Atlanta they put nickels in their etoufee – or at least
in Lex’s they did. I seem to recall that Jesus once told Peter to go catch a fish and he
would find a coin in its mouth with which to pay their taxes. Lex found a coin in his
crawfish but he didn’t have to pay his check or taxes with it – not even the taxes on his
meal.
When Lex pointed out his discovery to our waitress she was so embarrassed. She
sent the manager out and she apologized. She insisted on bringing out another meal for
Lex but he refused. After we finished our waitress brought out one check. The total for
all five of us was $0.00! Since our meals were free, we left her a big ole tip - a nickel! No,
not really, we left a nice tip but I simply couldn’t resist asking her how much fifteen percent of zero was.
Sometimes life brings little surprises. Who said there are no free lunches? For
the twentieth anniversary of our graduation the fat five, I mean fab five, got five fab
lunches on the house! I must confess that I wondered if our waitress had been the one
who put that nickel on Lex’s plate. After all, she ended up with twice as much in tips
than if we had paid for our meals. Everybody left happy, except perhaps the manager.
Some say the best gifts in life are those that are free. Perhaps so and one of those
gifts is the special people with whom God allows us to cross paths (and eat free etoufee).
There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:19)
Written by Dr. Bill King for the Opelika Auburn News
Visit brobillybob.com for more about Billy Bob
20
Continued Point Of View
At this point I was getting a headache from attempting to not laugh out loud and embarrass my host. To my exhaustion, he was still not finished with the Bible lesson for the preacher.
“It was under the fig tree we find Jonah, crying and whining to the God of Heaven, saying, ‘Why have you not kilt these ugly, sinful people?’ Afterwards a big fish plopped down beside him and spoke with the voice of authority, ‘Thus says the God of Heaven, today shall a
rooster crow three times; morning, noon and night. At nine tonight I will swallow you whole
and alive. You will be within me for three
days and two nights. On the third day I will
spew you on the shores of Galilee. There you
will meet a man named Simon-Bar-Jonas. Ask
him which way you shall go and he will tell
you as he sits under the fig tree eating pomegranates and drinking olive oil.’”
In wide eyed amazement I looked at
this man and thought to myself, “Maybe he
needs his medicines.”
I am reminded that the Bible says, “Be
diligent to present yourself approved to God, a
worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.” (2 Timothy
2:15 HCSB) “Correctly teaching the word of
truth,” Paul reminds the preacher Timothy. To
be able to do so, the preacher must study the
Word and share the Word, and live in
the Word.
This is not just for the preacher,
but every person who calls themselves
a believer. Every one of us must know
the Bible. In order to know the Bible,
we must study the Bible individually
and corporately.
I encourage you to spend time
in the Bible daily, alone, allowing it to
speak to your life for instruction and
guidance into all you are involved with
for that day. Also, I encourage you to
be involved in a church where the
Word of God is proclaimed, where
groups are active in the study of the
Bible and its implications for daily living.
Until next time…
21
Examination
By Pam Ford Davis
The diagnosis sends shivers down their
spine; he or she has an incurable disease. Can
they keep a stiff upper lip and relinquish their
health? With the strides in modern medicine,
we assume there is a remedy for whatever ails
us. Sadly, that is not so. Doctors confess they
have no more avenues of treatment. The patient puts their future in God’s hands.
We cannot predict the future. Jeremiah, known as ‘the weeping prophet’ wrote of
impending judgment on the nation of Egypt; they had an incurable disease. “In vain you
will use many medicines; You shall not be cured.” (Jeremiah 46:11b NKJV)
As incurable diseases ravage physical bodies, pride and self-sufficiency eats away
at our spirits. Sin leads to death. The number of fatalities is staggering. Will the death
knell ring or is there a remedy?
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord.” (Romans 6:23 NKJV)
The sinner’s logical choice is the acceptance of God’s gift of eternal life. I do not
understand why anyone would purposely choose to die. God never makes an error in
judgment or in diagnosis of death. He awaits an answer.
Scripture Encouragement
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in
Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me
shall never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe
that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is come into the world.”
John 11:25-27 NKJV
22
Continued Law Enforcement Feature Article
Employee Birthdays
January
•
Chuck Ebert
•
Jeff Fuller
March
•
Mike Rudd
•
Shane House
Future Challenges
CCSO is proud to support
C.O.A.C.H. by sponsoring events for the
purpose of providing fund raising opportunities:
th
• Sheriff’s Café – April 17
th
• Motorcycle Ride – June 6
th
• Gun Raffle – June 6
Additionally, the CCSO also participates in other events within the county providing safety and security:
th
• “Irun for the Cure” (April 11 )
th
• Weogufka Mule Day (April 25 )
st
st
• Hatchet Creek Float Festival (May 31 – Jun 1 ) with an anticipation of approximately
100 Floaters
Grand Jury Week was a big week for the CCSO as over 150 cases were presented
on April 28th through April 30th.
The Sheriff ended the general
meeting by stating, “We’re off to a
Great Year! Thanks for your great
service.”
23
Contact Information you may need!
Take this page and post near your phone or computer for later use.
For more information about the Coosa County Sheriff’s Office
please visit our web page
www.coosacountyso.org
Like our page at
www.facebook.com/coosacounty.so
Coosa County Sheriff’s Office
Emergency Calls 9-1-1
Office’s
256-377-4622
256-377-2211
________________________
Rockford Town Hall
256-377-4911
Goodwater
256-839-6301
Department of Human Resources
256-377-2000
Probate Judge
256-377-4919
Revenue Commissioner
256-377-4916
Commissioners Office
256-377-2420
Circuit Clerk
256-377-4988
________________________
Coosa County
Health Department
256-377-4364
Board of Education
256-377-4430
We will continue to add to and change this list. We are
making it available as a service to our readers.
24