Michigan resident Dale McConnaughay recently misplaced his wallet at an Athens convenience store and then learned a thief was racking up purchases on his cards.

McConnaughay, a resident of White Cloud, swiftly canceled his cards and reported the matter to Athens Police Department. In his report, Officer Dustin Montgomery recorded the man’s every step prior to the theft. He handed the report off to Investigator Kelly Fussell.

McConnaughay was surprised when, not long after, Fussell called to say police had arrested a man in connection with the theft. Joseph Lester Campbell was charged with five counts of illegal use of a debit or credit card on Dec. 3.

To the officers involved in the case it was all in a day’s work. To McConnaughay, however, it was an example of what makes life in a small city great.

So thankful was he, he sent a letter to The News Courier praising the officers for their dedication.

When Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson read the letter, he praised his officers for their good work.

“I’m glad our staff was able to assist the McConnaughays,” Johnson said. “I’m very proud of the professionalism displayed by both Fussell and Montgomery.”

The letter of thanks

Here is the text of the letter McConnaughay sent to The News Courier, outlining his ordeal and its resolution:

“At this time of year, especially, it is so vitally important to take stock of all that we cherish and hold dear. For the residents of Athens, Alabama, I would submit that should include appreciation for a first-class police department comprised of conscientious, caring, professional officers.

While recently traveling south to Alabama for the winter to my wife’s family home near Decatur, I stopped for gasoline and to use the restroom at a service station in Athens. Upon arriving at my destination, I realized I had misplaced my wallet. At about the same time, I began to receive notifications from my credit card companies inquiring about numerous, suspicious transactions totaling more than $1,000.

After calling the credit card companies to immediately freeze my accounts, my wife and I traveled back to Athens the next morning, where we were met at the service station by patrolman Dustin Montgomery. Officer Montgomery was courteous and thorough in filling out his report — an account of the activities from the moment I arrived at the service station the night before.

Because of the unauthorized use of my credit cards, he advised us he would be turning his report over to an investigator with the Athens Police Department.

We expected that to be the end of it for our part in the reporting and investigation. So, we were surprised when we received a telephone call — the first of several — from Detective Kelly Fussell of the Athens Police Department. He went over our report and gathered additional detail on the time, locations and amounts of unauthorized uses of our credit cards. Detective Fussell kept us apprised at every turn of his investigation, additionally providing me with his cellphone number and instructions to call at any time with added questions or information.

After Detective Fussell and the Athens Police Department followed up with Athens merchants and checked store security cameras, the most gratifying call came when Detective Fussell notified us a suspect had been caught on camera, identified and arrested.

We are grateful to officers Montgomery and Fussell for this kind of aggressive policing on behalf of a visitor passing through your fair city of Athens. As a result of their good work, this holiday season will be more joyful, at least to a few of us.”