posted July 23, 2008
I read with interest several comments regarding Jim Hammond associating with a convicted felon, Lonnie Hood. Mr. Hood carried on a lucrative criminal enterprise for a number of years while Jim Hammond was Chief Deputy of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department. It was common knowledge that Mr. Hood was deeply involved in steroid use, even to those of us who were not members of the sheriff's department. When John Cupp was elected sheriff in 1994, one of his first acts was to ask the FBI to investigate the corruption in the jail. That investigation subsequently led to the arrest and conviction of Mr. Hood on several felonies.
During that investigation, a Deputy Chief, Ron Gilbert, who is also a supporter of Jim Hammond, surreptitiously called Mr. Hood from his office, to warn him that he was the subject of an FBI investigation. Mr. Gilbert was not charged, even though this action was a violation of federal law.
As a long time law enforcement officer, I would be reluctant to maintain even a friendship with a convicted felon and definitely would not involve one in my campaign for the office of sheriff. This is not to say that Mr. Hood is currently involved in criminal activities but the recidivist rate among convicted felons is over 90 percent. I hope Mr. Hood falls within that 10 percent who do not involve themselves in crimes after their release from prison.
The people of Hamilton County must elect someone with unquestionable integrity, someone whose background is above reproach, someone who has the managerial background and experience to lead the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department out of this period of uncertainty and restore confidence in the department’s personnel and gain the trust of the citizens of the county.
The only person who can accomplish this is Greg Beck. I urge everyone to vote for him during the early voting period or on Aug. 7.
Dave Alverson
Ooltewah
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Kudos to Dave Alverson, he said what all of us have tried to say for years.
I wrote a letter to the Chattanoogan today also, the article was titled Bobby Wood has been hoodwinked. In my opinion the entire Republican Party has been.
I strongly encourage the voters of Hamilton County to be very careful in electing this sheriff. We need one who is fair to all police officers, citizens and one who listens and acts appropriately when corruption raises its ugly head.
Dianne Brock
olebuddie1313@bellsouth.net
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I agree with Mr. Alverson. As a former police officer I know how important appearances are in the office Mr. Hammond seeks.
Let's hope those associations cited by Mr. Alverson are benign.
Robin Flores
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I find it interesting about Mr. Alverson's comments. I wonder why he didn't explain who was in charge of the sheriff's office and who was chief. How did Ron Gilbert become deputy chief? Whose watch was it when this happened?
Quote "It was common knowledge that Mr. Hood was deeply involved in steroid use, even to those of us who were not members of the sheriff's department."
As a longtime police officer he doesn't say how he brought this illegal action to the attention of anyone. When a police officer has the knowledge of a crime and does nothing, tells us a lot about the individual and that in itself is illegal.
I, too, spent several years in the Chattanooga Police Department and I can state that much of what the patrol officers know is never brought to the attention or knowledge of the department leaders. I doubt this has changed over the years.
N.D. Kennedy Sr.
Ooltewah
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