1/1/09

Optimist-Outlook
Marianna Optimist Club Activities
By Don Jones - December 23rd, 2008
"New Sheriff Has Criminals On The Run!"

Last week, Tommy Grainger, Club Programs Director, asked Lou Roberts, the new Sheriff of Jackson County, to speak before the members of Marianna’s Optimist club about his transition from Chief of Police to his new Sheriff’s position.
Taking the podium, Roberts immediately expressed his appreciation for the confidence the voters placed in his many years as a senior law enforcement officer. Also, he was extremely pleased to have inherited such a fine staff of very capable professional law enforcement officers, and support personnel. The most rewarding, however, is the continued, strong support by the citizens and civic clubs, and others. For example, Roberts pointed out that the others are the various police departments and sheriff departments in and around Jackson County.
Using a recent case to make his point, he touched on the subject of the recent armed robbery and stabbing death of local victim, Windell Peterson. In this case that began on December 8th; Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) was able to quickly apprehend five suspects connected with the robbery and murder. Roberts claimed evidence left at the scene identified that at least two suspects where involved in the robbery and stabbing incident. However, with the cooperation and assistance from other local and out-of-state agencies who worked around the clock in the case, three other suspects were identified, enabling the JCSO to quickly apprehend all five individuals believed to be responsible.
Other agencies involved included the Marianna Police Department, Cottondale Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission canine unit, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Apalachee and Jackson Correctional Institutions’ K-9 teams, the 14th Judicial State Attorney’s Office, and the Dale County Sheriff’s Office in Alabama. Also, public tips provided significant help in the case.
Sheriff Roberts admitted that it would be an impossible task for him to run the entire office by himself, and feels extremely fortunate to have Major Donnie Branch as his assistant. He, also, expressed how delighted he was that all personnel on staff during Sheriff McDaniels’ regime remained onboard, with one exception, and that was Captain Cloud who retired. Sheriff Roberts concluded with the following statement, "With our staff of highly trained and motivated officers and support personnel, we have the criminals on the run."