Dear Friend,

 

On June 18, 2018, deputies responded to a triple shooting in Ft. Meade that left one young man dead, and two others clinging to life. It was a horrible situation that never should have happened.

A man thought a couple down the street had stolen his dog. Had he just called the Sheriff's Office in the first place, we could have investigated it. Instead, he and a couple of his friends went to the couple's home and threatened them on their front porch. Even more people began to assemble in the yard. The resident feared for his safety and the safety of his wife. He warned the men to leave, and he told them he had a gun. But the men grew more agitated and moved in closer. Six shots were fired, and many lives were thrown into chaos. 

Instead of an investigation of a reported dog theft, we were investigating a homicide...one that will eventually be determined to be committed in self-defense. 

The dog was found, by the way. A 15-year-old boy found it wondering around downtown...no collar, no tags. He thought it was a stray, as anyone would, and took it home with him. He found it well before the deadly confrontation occurred several streets away. The dog was never taken from the owner. 

People jumped to conclusions. 

But there was something encouraging out of all of this. We've seen situations like this spin out of control in other areas of the country. Sure, there were a few people spreading lies and rumors here in Polk, but overall, the people in Ft. Meade knew early on that everyone needed to keep level-headed while the investigation ran its course. Residents, law enforcement, church leaders...all communicating and cooperating.

There are no winners in a situation like this. It's one of those moments in life that just happens, and we have to find the strength to get past it. But if there is one silver lining to be found, it's this - we live in a county where we love one another, and trust one another, to do what's right, even when there are a few residents who do what's wrong.