HOW CAN IT HAPPEN?

Editor:

I find it nearly incomprehensible that such a large illegal drug operation
could go unknown by the sheriff. During my years of employment as a deputy
under the Hege administration, it was commonly known in the department that
the sheriff was very close with the three deputies that were arrested. In
Hege's eyes, they could do no wrong.

Hege even stated just after their arrests ". these are my best deputies,"
and called them ". my top dogs." Even the major and captain of the jail
were close with Hege. They were investigated by the SBI for embezzling
drugs from the jail. Capt. Beck even stated ". it was for personal use and
others." Both have since resigned.

Take a look at the big picture. Here is a sheriff with five of his closest
associates either arrested or investigated for illegal drug distribution.
Millions of dollars worth of illegal drugs.

Only after five of his closest employees are investigated or arrested for
drugs involvement, Sheriff Hege finally implements drug screening. That's a
basic procedure practiced by law enforcement agencies and private
businesses across the country. How many of the sheriff's employees were
tested for drugs? More importantly, how many failed? Who was tested? Will
the results be known? I think not.

Please keep in mind there are a lot of good deputies with Davidson County
that are professional, ethical and moral people. Folks, do not judge the
sheriff by the deputies. They work at the pleasure of the sheriff. If they
say one wrong word or get one complaint it could very easily cost them
their jobs.

David W. Leonard,
Winston-Salem