In the wake of so much attention being drawn to law enforcement officers for so much wrongdoing through every social media available, I thought it was only fitting to expose some good things they do. On April 18, 2015, my church, the Church of God of Prophecy, Norman, Mt. Creek, sponsored a Biker’s Blessing Ride and a car show at our church.

Although the purpose of the event was to raise money and have good fellowship, we put safety at the top of our list. My brothers, Curtis and Fernando, and I got in touch with the sheriff’s departments of all three counties that we would be traveling through — Richmond, Anson and Montgomery — to ask for their assistance. On the day of our event, Deputy Jeff Cagle of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Department called me to see if the event was “going on as planned.” I told him it was. About 10 minutes before our departure time, he pulled up to the church to give us an escort. We had a total of 43 bikes and Deputy Cagle led us from Norman to Rockingham. When we got to the intersection of 220 and 74, there was another deputy there directing traffic so we could make our turn safely. Deputy Cagle then continued to lead us on to the Richmond-Anson county line. For your help Richmond County, we salute you. You were spectacular.

When we crossed the Pee Dee River Bridge, there was an Anson County Deputy waiting on us. He led us to the Hess gas station in Wadesboro, where he not only stayed and conversated with us, but Officer Vance Bennett and two other deputies made sure we all got back on the road safely. When we got to JCT 109, which we were taking to Mt. Gilead, there was another deputy there to hold back the traffic so we call could make our turn safely once more. We thank you, Anson County. You were superb.

As we got to the Montgomery County line, there was a deputy waiting there to escort us through their county. We went safely through Mt. Gilead, Troy and Biscoe without having to stop or break our line of lineage because there was an officer at every light to assist us. As we went down the ramp on got on 220 Bypass South, to return to the church in Norman, the officer went down the ramp in front of us to assure our safety onto the bypass. Montgomery County, thank you. You were splendid.

We had riders from as far away as Fairmount, Monroe, Bennettsville and Sanford, as young as 19 and as old as 73, and we were all impressed with the tri-county support we received first-hand. So thanks to all of you, our ride accomplished the Three S’s — safety, support and success.

We would also like to thank the many merchants that donated great door prizes. Although the weather was cloudy during most of our ride, we never got wet, so for that, we thank you God. You are superior.

Sally Ingram

Ellerbe