MURPHY
Memorial for officers set
An Officers Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 15, at Konehete Veterans Park, according to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington to participate in a number of planned events that honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
CANTON, Ga.
Man found dead here
Town police provided a tragic update Thursday in the case of an 85-year-old missing man, confirming he was found dead.
Byron “Gene” Jones had been missing since April 21, and the community had rallied around the search for him, according to 11Alive.com. Police were searching across north Georgia after his car was seen on a Flock camera in Jasper the evening he went missing.
In an update, police said Jones’ vehicle was found immobilized in Cherokee County, N.C. On April 30, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office posted a “please be on the lookout for” Jones alert on Facebook.
Jones was found dead near his vehicle, police said. Officials had said Jones was diagnosed with dementia.
“Our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences go out to Mr. Jones’ family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” the police department wrote in a statement. “We are grateful to the public, our partner agencies and all individuals who contributed to the search efforts.”
An online fundraiser started on behalf of his family to aid the search efforts said Jones was the father of pastor Craig Jones at Abiding Church in Woodstock. The church had been holding prayers for the Jones family, 11Alive.com reported.
WILMINGTON
Smith attends sheriffs’ meet
The N.C. Sheriffs’ Association hosted sheriffs, sheriffs’ personnel, and other state and federal officials from across the state last week at the annual Spring Meeting in New Hanover County.
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The meeting is an opportunity for sheriffs and their personnel to attend training classes and panel discussions on a variety of topics. This year, training topics focused heavily on the lessons learned from Hurricane Helene and the N.C. Sheriffs’ Association’s Statewide Disaster Assistance Network, which allows sheriffs’ offices to request and offer aid to other sheriffs in the event of a disaster or civil unrest.
“This week has been full of great learning opportunities for me and my fellow sheriffs,” Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith said in a release. “The Spring Meeting is our first opportunity each year to meet with our fellow sheriffs.
“I am grateful to the N.C. Sheriffs’ Association for the information and instruction provided about SDAN this year. As we all learned from Hurricane Helene, disaster can strike any community. SDAN is a truly valuable resource for sheriffs in such circumstances.”
Sheriffs took a moment to celebrate recipients of this year’s Lifetime Defender of Public Safety Award:
- State Rep. George Cleveland;
- State Rep. John Faircloth;
- State Rep. Jason Saine;
- U.S. Rep. Tim Moore.
Details: Visit ncsheriffs.org.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown.