Sheriff's Dispatch, March 23, 2020

In one of the greatest document to ever exist, the United States Constitution, the 1st Amendment reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

In a previous post I wrote "assemble as you see fit." This set off a firestorm of comments, some nasty, some nice. People's opinions were stated freely because of the freedom granted to US citizens from the 1st Amendment.

At no time have I ever diminished the severity of this Pandemic. My wife is a nurse at a very busy family medical clinic and with me being a law enforcement officer, our family is at a higher risk than most. I agree with our experts and I agree with all the steps necessary to help slow down the spread of this contagious virus. I have not been closer than ten feet of my beautiful mama in two weeks because she is at a higher risk due to her age.

I urge all our citizens to heed the warnings administered by the experts. Wash your hands for 20 seconds, and do it often, hand sanitizer after contact if soap and water isn't available, disinfect hard surfaces, social distancing and shelter in place as best you can just to name the basics.

The point of my first post was not to, in any way, diminish the severity of the current health crisis, but to draw attention to our great Constitution. In addition to upholding the law, the sheriff of each county is also charged with upholding the supreme law, the Constitution. I will educate, suggest, urge and plead if necessary, for our citizens to follow the CDC guidelines, but I am also responsible for safeguarding your freedoms as American citizens. I pray that people will do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. Your health, your safety and your freedoms promised to you by the Constitution are my top priority.

Sheriff Knox