To 'protect and serve'
JOHN J. BROWN Alto

The crimes being committed in our communities are being superseded by some who are acting in the capacity of the law. Political corruption plays a factor in our judicial system.

This has been quite a problem in areas such as Cherokee County for a long time. It has become a political structure separated by class, high and low. They patrol the streets where city councilmen reside and watch for any strange activity on the road that judges live on. What about the common people who get up and go to work every day and barely keep their heads above water? Are they not entitled to the same protection and service as others? This letter may not change a thing, but I feel that my story should be heard.

On a summer evening in 2005, I was startled by a commotion outside my home in Alto. The dogs barked frantically. I immediately saw what appeared to be a flashlight being carried by an individual. I approached the area to identify the subject and immediately found myself face to face with a Cherokee County sheriff's deputy pointing a pistol in my face. He instructed me to place my hands behind my back. I did as I was told and was handcuffed. The deputy walked me back up my driveway and demanded that I get down on the ground. I informed the deputy that I had problems with my knees, but still attempted to do as instructed. Before I could place myself on my knees, he kicked the side of my leg causing me to collapse to the ground. I screamed in excruciating pain because of this.

It was then that he put his knee on the back of my head, breaking my front teeth and told me to shut up. Several witnesses watched as this deputy subdued me using an extreme amount of force. After he radioed for another deputy to assist him, an Alto police officer responded as well. At this point an ambulance was called. I was taken to the hospital where they performed emergency surgery on my leg in an attempt to reconstruct and repair the damage caused from the kick. I have a steel rod and several pins and screws as a result of the misconduct on the officers' part.

After the sheriffs department realized and acknowledged that a mistake in identity was made, they dismissed the initial charges brought against me. But I felt that this situation deserved to be brought to light so that everyone could know how their tax dollars were being spent to fund the illicit activities within the local law enforcement agencies and how some of the motives and actions of the officers carrying out their duties are fueled by racial prejudices and preconceived theories based on the demographic situation of certain minorities.

Legal representation was appointed and a class-action lawsuit was filed in federal court on my behalf. As it turned out, the defendant's attorney played a higher card and won the case in favor of the arresting officer. I was awarded nothing. The cost of losing was unbearable.

Basically, the jury ruled that because the officer stated that he was scared due to the surroundings, he was justified in his actions.

Although the county acknowledged making a false arrest, they were given favor by the jury because my neighborhood didn't meet the social requirements of what some consider a nice area.

Others, whether they may live in a neighborhood that's displeasing to certain individuals or maybe they're hardworking, law-abiding-citizens just like myself, may not be so fortunate the next time a "county boy" rolls through.