We like to think it can’t happen here. But if we believe that, we’re wrong. Dead wrong.
A Cherokee County detention transport officer lost his life in the line of duty on
June 30, when he and a second officer took an inmate to a medical appointment in Peachtree. Francisco Flattes, 56, a four-year veteran of the local sheriff’s office who had previously worked for other law enforcement agencies, was shot to death by Kelvin Simmons, a federal prisoner facing multiple bank robbery charges, plus local charges for a another escape attempt in October 2024.
A second detention officer, George Feinauer, was also injured during Simmons’ second escape attempt this year. Thankfully, he is expected to make a full recovery.
In Simmons’ first escape attempt in October 2024, he climbed a security fence at the Cherokee County Detention Center in Murphy and crawled through razor wire before falling to the ground, injuring his foot, which is why he was going to the doctor on June 30. He is back in custody with a first-degree murder charge added.
So, tragically, it did happen here at home.
This tragedy proves again the growing lack of respect for law enforcement – as well as the laws and citizens those men and women are sworn to protect and to serve.
Those enforcing the law face a lack of respect every day, more frequently as time passes. This was demonstrated in national news reports showing demonstrations against U.S. immigration policies.
Protesters hurled rocks, bottles and fireworks at law enforcement officers with little to no regard for human life. Officers have been ambushed. Police cars have been damaged and burned. Worse is coming.
However, law enforcement officers
are not the only targets of lawlessness. It is not uncommon for innocent bystanders to be beaten or robbed, stores looted and burned. Criminals do this without fear of punishment in large part because the U.S. justice system has failed the officers and, in turn, is failing society as a whole.
Law enforcement officers automatically become criminals anytime someone yells ‘‘excessive force,” Let an officer do something the national media does not like, and that man or woman is targeted as some kind of overbearing, badge-wearing zealot. Those sworn to enforce the law are often considered guilty until proven innocent.
Read the county arrest reports. Resisting arrest is appearing more often, as are other charges associated with fighting with officers. Punishment that fits the crime is the simple answer, but with our justice system this just isn’t nearly as simple as it sounds.
We must be thankful there are still dedicated men and women willing to serve and protect. Please pray for their safety. Pray hard. They need it and deserve it.
– David Brown of the Cherokee Scout and Glenn Harbison of The News Observer