Dear Editor:

I was disappointed with the front-page article in the July 10 edition. I respect and am thankful for all police. The headline, “Rincon Police ‘showed restraint’ during July 5 incident” led me to believe that it would be a positive article. I am happy to say that the article was very positive about how our Rincon police handled a situation; but at the same time, I am upset that the situation involved a Chatham County police officer [sheriff deputy] who was arrested for “violation of Georgia’s ‘move over’ law and his refusal to sign the citation.

Why should this be on the front page? On page 5, the “Sheriff’s Office Reports” lists current arrests that are MUCH worse than the front-page incident, yet, they are almost hidden in the back of the paper.

On one hand, the article showed respect for our police officers, but at the same time it disrespected another. Who knows what the Chatham officer had gone through that day?

Nothing about being a police officer is easy. Many times, they are thanked, but they never know when they approach a driver or a pedestrian, if the encounter will be friendly or fatal.

Think about it.

None of us knows when we may need the immediate help of the police. I know from personal experience:

I was once chasing a man who had stolen my sister’s wallet when an off-duty policeman stopped his car, jumped out, and apprehended the thief. My sister got her wallet back. The crook went to jail, and I later realized that I had put myself in a dangerous situation. My eternal thanks to that officer.

I pray that we will treat all police officers with kindness and respect and pray for their safety.

Barbara W. Russell,

Guyton