The last week was an especially good one for the father-and-son tandem of Ed and Adam Figueroa, longtime residents of western Cherokee County.
First, Ed Figueroa, a communication specialist, was presented a special appreciation award by Clay County Sheriff Mark Buchanan, a former State Bureau of Investigation agent who is rapidly making his mark in local law enforcement today, for taking the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Medical Services into the future with the statewide VIPER radio system.
“His extraordinary knowledge of radio systems, innovative research and purchasing prowess made this transition possible,” Buchanan said. Figueroa was able to equip the sheriff’s office and EMS with 67 practically new VIPER hand-held and in-car radios and accessories for $105,282.43 – a savings of $286,542.70.
“Most counties in North Carolina have been striving to make this transition due to the range, clarity and officer safety, as well as all tower maintenance costs being covered by the state,” Buchanan said.
“Clay County is one of very few western North Carolina counties that has successfully made this transition.”
Things got even better for Ed Figueroa later in the week, when his son – Petty Officer Adam Figueroa, boatswain’s mate second class with the U.S. Coast Guard – was presented the Coast Guard Achievement Medal. Adam was cited for superior performance of duty while serving at Station Toledo, Ohio, from May 2019 to July 2024.
“Demonstrating extraordinary leadership and aptitude,” the certificate says, “… (Adam) Figueroa accumulated 1,150 underway hours and participated in 96 search and rescue cases that resulted in 136 lives assisted and $794,000 in property saved.”
So, between the father and son, taxpayers saved more than $1 million and lives have likely been saved. Outstanding.
Before going to work with Clay County, Ed Figueroa offered these same services to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, which declined. That’s unfortunate for many reasons, including the fact that they really could have used his communications expertise.
Figueroa, who served with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office until he was one of many who eventually ran afoul of former sheriff Keith Lovin, got a bad wrap when he had the audacity to run as a Democrat for the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners. Lies were told about his prior law enforcement service in Miami, which cost him numerous local opportunities; he wasn’t even considered for positions he was overqualified for, such as being a school resource officer. Meanwhile, he was good enough to work with the U.S. Department of Defense.
With all that in mind, it’s especially nice to see good things happening for the Figueroa family. Some people recognize that they have been, and continue to be, fine public servants and assets to our community.
– Publisher David Brown