Warm reception To the Editor

TO THE EDITOR

I would like to take this opportunity to tell you, from the viewpoint of a resident of St. Petersburg, Florida, what a fine relationship and warm reception we received from your Sheriff Gerald S. Lawson. He and his staff have gone beyond the call of duty, to be of assistance to us at a time of a serious family crisis. I have deep roots that go back five generations to a great-grandfather, who was the pastor of New Hope Baptist Church.

Although we have never lived in Lincolnton, my wife and I were received as close friends from the first meeting that we had with Sheriff Lawson. Your community should be very grateful to have a man with his sincerity and dedication to his job.

Let me tell you a brief story about police response in the "big city." About 20 years ago, I retired from the public sector and went back to seminary school to receive my doctorate in theology. My wife and I then started to minister in this area. One of the charities we founded had sev- eral stores which sold thrifty merchandise. On a certain weekend, I received a phone call that the store had been broken into on a Sunday night. We had been out of town and for several days working on a project at another church in another city. And so the money had accumulated to about $3,000. All of that money was stolen.

A few nights later one of my workers, a troubled young man trying to find his way, called me to say that he had broken in and was now standing in front of the store. He asked if I would please have the police pick him up to make things right.

I called the police department and they actually refused to pick up the person who was going to turn themselves in for committing a $3,000 breaking and entering theft.

Enough said. Your community should be very thankful for its size, the closeness of the neighbors and for the fine law enforcement provided to you by Sheriff Gerald Lawson.

DR. H. COLLINGS DOWNES