Officer

Dear Editor: I was appalled by the letter in Monday's paper concerning a "Jesus fish symbol. " I have read many letters in this paper over the past 30 years, but this one I couldn't let go unchallenged. It is her type of comment that made some people want to remove "In God We Trust" from our currency, the Ten Commandments from our courthouses and prayer from our schools. What do you think this nation was founded on? Who do you think the people on the hijacked plane called on for strength on 9-11?

An officer who fought in both the Mexican War and the Civil War will be the focus of next Thursday's Second Thursday program at the Bluegrass Heritage Museum. Jim Prichard, head of the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives Research Room, will discuss John Stuart "Cerro Gordo" Williams at the program, which starts at 6:30 p.m. Williams, a native of Mount Sterling and a colonel of the 4th Kentucky Volunteers in the Mexican War, led the effort to organize the 5th Kentucky Infantry in the fall of 1861.

A two-vehicle collision in Madison County yesterday claimed the life of a Richmond man. A vehicle operated by Marty Shanks, 38, of 2219 Jack's Creek Road, was speeding while traveling east on Ky. 52, and another vehicle operated by Jessie Croucher, 23, of 550 Round Mountain Road, was traveling east on the same highway. Sheriff's Deputy Michael Stotts began pursuing Shanks after he met him speeding, and they approached the Speedwell Road intersection at the same time. Croucher's vehicle was making a right turn onto Speedwell.

Trooper Chris Lanham has been named public affairs officer at Kentucky State Police Post 7 in Richmond. Lanham, 40, of Lincoln County, is a 14-year veteran of the state police and prior to his appointment as post spokesman had been assigned to the West Squad, covering Garrard, Boyle, Mercer, Lincoln and Jessamine counties. He also served four years in the Marine Corps prior to joining the state police. Lanham graduated in 1989 from the state police academy and was assigned to the Pikeville Post.

Danville City Finance Director Steve Winfrey resigned late Tuesday afternoon for personal reasons. His two weeks notice was waived by Interim City Manager Bridgette Milby. She said that was not uncommon for the city finance director position. Winfrey, who is from Bowling Green, was hired by the city April 2001. He was also the city's Alcoholic Beverage Control officer. Milby said that the city staff would fill in until a new director could be hired. Winfrey could not be reached for comment by press time.

LANCASTER - A federal lawsuit filed recently against a Lancaster police officer has been dismissed in U.S. District Court in Lexington. The plaintiff, Billy D. Sheene, 44, of Yosemite, is still a prisoner at the Lincoln County Regional Jail. Sheene filed his complaint against Allen Weston on Dec. 21, alleging that the officer violated his right to due process on Nov. 16 during an arrest. Weston approached Sheene to determine if he was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and due to a prior medical problem, Sheene said he could not provide the officer with a urine sample.

Dear Editor: As a resident of Casey County, I agree with Constable Steve Cochran that an officer was needed in the schools when school started. If a child is doing drugs, he could well be highly addicted by the time anyone noticed. If you see or know someone playing with it, get to someone and let them know. Don't fool around, as sometimes it only takes once to be addicted. Steve would have done a good job. He knows a lot of kids from hanging out in town and could well be a resource for the schools.

A court appearance has been set for a Perryville police officer charged with impersonating an Alcohol Beverage Control officer Friday at a Richmond bar. Eddie Wilson, 30, will be arraigned Nov. 14 in Madison District Court. He was arrested about 3 a.m. Friday after a night out at T-Bomb's. Richmond police Sgt. Willard Reardon said the bar called in the complaint on Wilson around midnight. "Apparently, he had gone behind the bar to get back some money he'd spent buying others drinks," Reardon said.

STANFORD - A counterclaim against a former Stanford police officer has been filed in Lincoln District Court, stemming from a long-standing feud between the officer and the local businessman previously convicted of assaulting police. Tommy Owens had served time in jail for fourth-degree assault after police answered a domestic violence complaint at the Owens residence and said he became combative during arrest. Last month Owens and ex-police officer Mike Southerland had a confrontation outside Durham's Grocery, Lancaster Street.

STANFORD - A preliminary hearing was held Thursday in Lincoln District Court for a former Stanford police officer charged with assaulting a businessman, who was previously found guilty of assaulting the ex-officer. Former Policeman Mike Southerland did not appear for the hearing but remains under court order to have no contact with Tommy Owens. In his November criminal complaint, Owens alleges that Southerland hit his face and kicked his leg, threw him to the ground and then hit him in the ribs.