The Messenger

"For the first time in Pike County’s history, we will be able to provide around-the-clock protection to citizens," Pike County Sheriff Russell Thomas said when notified his department had received a grant for $44,700.

The grant awarded by Gov. Don Siegelman Friday means one more deputy will be on patrol in Pike County 24 hours a day seven days a week. Until the grant was received there was no deputy on patrol after 1 p.m.

Having deputies patrol around-the-clock is one of the goals Thomas set after first being elected.

Currently, the Pike County Sheriff’s Department has 15 sworn officers, including the sheriff. The grant money will increase that number to 16.

We appreciate the work the Pike County Sheriff’s department does to protect the residents and businesses of Pike County. An additional deputy will not necessarily make the job easier for the current deputies, but they will be able to work set shifts instead of the staggered ones they have been forced to work.

We appreciate the hard work and dedication of the Pike County Sheriff’s Department, not only in patrolling Pike County, but also for the other services they provide, like firearms safety classes for women and teaching children about the dangers of drugs.

Thomas said the support from governmental entities and citizens of Pike County have played a major role in the department’s success and pledged his department’s continued efforts.

And we know we can count on that pledge.

 

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