SOME DEVALUE THEIR HONOR

One must ask: Where is America going? I am not referring to Afghanistan but
to some reports in your Dec. 19 paper. A former Orangeburg, S.C., sheriff
was found guilty of the theft of IRS refunds. Three Secret Service agents
plead guilty to stealing $1,300 seized from ATM thieves. Three Davidson
County sheriff's deputies and a sergeant of the Archdale Police Department
are arrested for dealing drugs and many sordid activities. Enron executives
stuff their pockets, bankrupt a company and ruin the retirement dreams of
thousands of workers. I shake my head in disbelief.

My brother, as a police captain in Portland, Ore., had to arrest one of his
own officers for stealing jewelry as he was investigating robberies. My
brother went on to become chief of police in Portland and later retired
with honor and respect.

The sad thing is that each of the disgraced deputies and the Archdale
police sergeant sold their most valuable asset for a very cheap price.
Their families no doubt will hang their heads in shame. The legacies the
law officers might have left have been destroyed, and their shame will be
remembered as long as they live.

What sinister force is robbing so many people of their honor? Do these men
feel that the money was worth the cost? I wish these men would dedicate
what is left of their lives to showing young people how worthless anything
is that costs them their honor and character.

I pointed out my brother's choice of honor to say that we must not put all
law-enforcement officers under a cloud of suspicion. Most law officers are
men and women of integrity. They do not deserve to carry the guilt of the
disgraced officers.

JERRY F. POTTER

Thomasville