I read a news story this week about an estranged husband driving cross country, from California to New Jersey, confronting his estranged wife in the vestibule of her church as the congregation was breaking up and shooting her and two other worshipers to death. The shooter fled the scene and an APB described him as “armed and dangerous.” He was caught the following day in Georgia.

The shooter’s estranged wife was said to be distressed to see him show up there at her church and was looking for someone to help her with the situation. The two other shooting victims were trying to come to her aid. This is a horrific story, but not all that uncommon in domestic violence situations. And it also serves to illustrate exactly why I developed the BCSO Special Deputy Church Protection program. Certainly, there are no guarantees, but a trained, certified, bonded and armed deputy on the scene in such situations may be able to save lives.

Churches today are not the safe havens they once were. As outrageous as it may seem to those of us who regularly attend church for worship and to receive God’s word in a peaceful environment, church violence is a reality that cannot be denied. Unruly, angry protestors have even begun specifically targeting churches to vent their frustration and rage over moral and religious issues. Churches are experiencing more robberies, preachers have been physically assaulted, unbalanced individuals have gone on shooting sprees during services and more than a few estranged couples have ended up bringing their personal problems into the services in a violent manner. With the continued coarsening of society and, in some quarters, a growing disrespect for conventional religious worship, churches and church-goers are not always safe. We are glad to offer this program as an option for churches.

If your church body would like to become involved in the BCSO Special Deputy program, there is still time to apply. The program is purely voluntary and regulated by strict guidelines that address liability and qualification concerns. For more information, or to obtain an application packet, contact the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office at (423) 728-7300. You can also download the application packet from the “Volunteer Programs” section at the BCSO web site.

The BCSO was honored this week to receive a certificate from the Department of Defense for our support of the National Guard and Reserves. We have always recognized the important role the Guard and Reserves play in safe-guarding our nation. In acknowledging their service and sacrifice, the BCSO joins with the DOD in pledging to fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services and Reemployment Act (http://osc.gov/userra.htm). Our supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve, and we will continually recognize and support them and their families in peace, in crisis and in war.

Lastly, I am pleased to report that the BCSO brought over $200,000 into the Bradley County General Fund for the month of September. The BCSO is a large operation that includes law enforcement, investigations, patrols, serving warrants, protecting 13 courts, transporting prisoners, operating and maintaining a 408-bed jail and a host of other statutory obligations. We try to offset operational costs whenever possible through a number of ways; one of which is reimbursements for housing state and federal inmates. All totaled, the BCSO brings in around $4 million for the General Fund each year. The BCSO is a cost-effective operation that works hard to save taxpayer money. We will continue working on behalf of the citizens of Bradley County to provide the best possible services at the lowest possible costs.

To find out more about the programs and operation of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, visit our web site often. If you would like to contact us, you can call us at (423) 728-7300. Mail us at: 2290 Blythe Ave., SE, Cleveland 37311. If you would like to contact me personally, email comments@bradleysheriff.com