There have been more than a few occasions in 2020 for which to thank you for your support of the Sheriff’s Department.

But beyond your support of the men and woman who make LCSD what it is, the people of Lexington County fervently support the law enforcement profession as a whole.

You rallied around officers in February when Faye Swetlik went missing and days later when her body was found. That was a tough time for law enforcement, but we knew you had our back.

The Lexington County community came together as the response against covid-19 started in March. The public health guidelines and the executive orders went over very well here because we had each other’s backs.

There was essentially no pushback as we all worked together to slow the spread of the virus and protect those in our lives who needed to stay well.

With the events of the last 2 weeks, first in Minnesota and now spreading across the country, we know you have our backs again.

It’s easy to see it’s not like that everywhere.

The contention and chaos that’s taken hold in some locations are symptoms of a troubled relationship between law enforcement and a community.

I’m proud we have those relationships here in our county. Those relationships foster conversations and cooperation. It’s an honor for us to serve and protect the people and places of this county.

The trust you place in us and the support you give to us isn’t taken for granted as we all work together to maintain Lexington County as a great place to live, work and raise a family.

Let’s strive in the coming days to strengthen those relationships. And let’s listen. Listen to each other and those who are sincerely interested in having a conversation about the issues brought forth in wake of current events.

The dialogue will make us better as a county and a community.