To the Editor:

This is a letter of appreciation to the people that live in Haywood County as well as to those that live elsewhere but call us friends. I want to begin by humbly saying thank you from the bottom of my heart for all who display appreciation for law enforcement, but especially for those of you that have in some way expressed your thankfulness over the past several weeks. I wish it was possible for us to come to your doorstep to thank you in person. I feel our message would simply be “thank you for taking a moment out of your day to choose love and support to those of us that wear the badge.”  

After a seemingly never-ending string of tragic, unfortunate and senseless incidents that have occurred in our nation recently, it has felt as if everywhere I have turned there has been a sense of “a heavy and broken heart” for our law enforcement families and for our nation in general. However, I will be forever grateful and thankful to those in our communities throughout Haywood County who have chosen to push for unity and collaboration during these most pivotal times, rather than tip the scale in a direction of division.  

To the pastors and their churches and our faith-based community here in Haywood County as a whole, your prayers and support have been felt in a mighty way. I want to thank you for the times you have been in our parking lot and even our lobby to pray for the healing of our nation, our state and protection for the law enforcement officers in our county.  I also want to say thank you for being so kind to many of our officers and deputies’ spouses, children and other family members.

  When the moment arrives for people to choose to rise above and show generosity after a tragic event, or get lost in the darkness that surrounds violent acts, the citizens of Haywood County have risen to a level that is unparalleled. In a world where so many are looking over their shoulder more than ever before, the people of Haywood County have shown the world they would rather send a smile or a kind word our way more than anything else.

So many of you have expressed to us at the Sheriff’s Office loud and clear that you accept us. You found the strength to dig deep in a turbulent time and show us your hearts. Please know that you will always have ours. We will never forget the kindness and love that has been shown.

Haywood County Sheriff Greg Christopher