President's Message

9-1-1 as we all know, is the number we call for emergency help - police, fire or medical. It is now also a date that will be added to our memories such as Dec 7th, 1941. Both dates will be remembered as dates that will live in infamy, and in both cases Americans answered the call. All of us watched in stunned disbelief as the second airplane crashed into the second tower and saw the tremendous loss of life. Even as we watched, we could hear the emergency vehicles sirens responding to this horrendous attack on the United States. Both the Police and Fire Fighters responding to this act of terrorism had one thing on their minds, and that was to save lives, and in doing so it cost them their lives. These men and women are true heroes in every sense of the word.

I have been asked many times about how this date has affected law enforcement from the city to the federal level. With the activating of the Reserves and National Guard units across the United States, this has put a drain on manpower of most departments from the city to the federal level. I know from first hand experience, as I have worked with law enforcement personnel that also belong to every branch of the military service, either as Reservist or National Guardsman, from road patrol officers through the ranks to the Chief. I can also tell you that no matter what the manpower situation, your city, state and federal agencies will answer your call for service.

Not since the Civil War have we fought a war on our soil, but make no mistake, we are now fighting a war right here and now. A war that is affecting everyone of us here. We in law enforcement now more than ever, need your help and support. Be our eyes and ears and report anything you may think is suspicious to your local law enforcement agency. Remember, it's usually the small things that trip up the criminal or terrorist.

Let no one, nor any nation, forget what the "United" in United States stands for, and now and always, may God bless America.

Deputy Sheriff Dennis Wise
National President
Walton Co. Sheriff's Dept., FL