The News Courier encourages letters to the editor. Submissions should be no more than 400 words and include name, address and telephone number for verification. Submissions that do not meet requirements are subject to editing. Writers are limited to one published letter every 30 days. Send letters to P.O. Box 670, Athens AL 35613 or email to adam@athensnews-courier.com.

Give thanks to officers

Dear Editor:

I am extremely concerned about the civil unrest elements of our citizenry. In 1965, I was flying into, and out of, Los Angeles International Airport on flights that had to be redirected in their patterns due to the riots in Watts in south Los Angles.

In 1968, I was flying to Dallas on a Thursday night on business. An American Airlines agent met the flight and informed me that I had an emergency call for me from my office, Federal Signal Corporation in Chicago. Federal is a major supplier of sirens, emergency vehicle lights, and fire trucks, among other products. I asked the airline employee what had happened while I was in the air. He responded, “Martin Luther King was assassinated.” I immediately made plans to visit Washington, D.C., New York City and return to Chicago in the next 48 hours. It was a horrific experience to see the riots and carnage firsthand.

I was also involved in the major fundraising effort for the families of the assassinated Athens police officers Russell and Mims in 2002. It, again, was a trying experience. Police officers’ lives do matter because without them, no lives matter.

The people of Athens have been fortunate to have such excellent leaders of our city’s law enforcement activities. Former police Chief Wayne Harper had over 40 years experience in Birmingham and as chief in Athens of our excellent police force. The current Chief Johnson continues the excellent leadership of our police department and has kept our citizens safe from criminal and socially disruptive activities in our fine city.

Our city council is very important to the continued safety of our citizens. We need to avoid any major changes in the city council membership, in these perilous times, with persons who may lack the firsthand major leadership and money management experience required for the council membership.

Please thank our police officers for the safety they provide each of us and our families at the risk of their own lives.

Sincerely,

Quentin D. Anderson, Sr.

Athens