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.

Speeder praises officer

Dear Editor:

I want to give a big shout out to our Athens Police Department. There is one officer, in particular, that I want to commend.

A few weeks ago, I was pulled over for excessive speed on Hobbs Street. The officer who pulled me over was Officer McWhorter. He was a true ambassador for the department. This officer was extremely professional, respectful and personable. He projects a tremendous ability to interact with the public.

In my opinion, he deserves a sincere pat on the back for doing such a great job. Too many times, we hear negative comments about law enforcement and their treatment of the public.

Officer McWhorter embodies the true meaning of “To Serve and To Protect.” It is comforting to know that there are officers, like him, out there protecting us every single day.

Great job, Officer McWhorter. Keep up the good work. You, sir, are a tremendous asset to the Athens Police Department. God bless our men and women in blue.

Sincerely,

Michael Spencer

Athens

In praise of Athens P.D.

Dear Editor:

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, I would submit that should include appreciation for a first-class police department comprised of conscientious, caring, professional officers. While traveling South to Alabama for the winter recently 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 that 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 by Officer Montgomery at the service station. He 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 reported unauthorized use of my credit cards, he advised us that 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 P.D. 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 cell phone number and instructions to call at any time with added questions or information.

After Detective Fussell and the Athens Police Department followed up with merchants and checked store security cameras, the most gratifying call came when he notified us that 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.

Sincerely,

Dale McConnaughay

White Cloud, MI