SHERIFF MIKE KNOEDL - WEEKLY UPDATE 04/03/2025

Good morning,

I hope all is well with everyone this week. We have dodged a bullet with these recent storms. We needed a little rain, but we have caught up for a day or two. My report is arriving a day early!

This week has been one of catching up after being out for a few days. Some deputies were off during spring break to spend time with their children. It is essential to me that family takes precedence over work whenever possible. Until you walk a mile in a law enforcement officer's shoes, it is impossible to understand the stress that accompanies it. With that being said, I cannot imagine making any changes to my career in law enforcement or as a public servant.

I wanted to bring to your attention a recent arrest involving a suspect who broke into a local business. Our deputies, along with the Fordyce Police Department, responded to a local business after the suspect was seen on surveillance cameras breaking into Big Ben's salvage yard. After responding to the location, it was decided to launch our drone and search for the suspect, who had fled from the business into some nearby woods. He was spotted almost immediately with the thermal imaging device on the drone. Once he heard the drone overhead, the suspect laid down on his stomach, put his hands behind his back, and waited for officers to approach and cuff him. This new and innovative technology enables us to quickly and safely terminate searches like this one. I have attached a short clip of this incident for your viewing pleasure!

We were scheduled to have a jury trial this week, and after everyone showed up and was ready, it was postponed again.

I want to mention the Ray White family this week and ask for prayers as they deal with the loss of a loved one.

Mr. Simmons was out of town this week and will resume trash pickup next week.

Let's look at Felony Friday:

Bates, Sara of Camden; Failure to Appear

Payne, Robert of Wilmar; Furnishing, Possessing, or Using Prohibited Articles

Lumsey, Lamar of Strong; FPD Failure to Appear

Craig, Edward of Sparkman; DWI, Operation of a Vehicle During DWI Suspension or Revocation, Open Container, Property Damage, Failure to Report Accident, Failure to Maintain Control

Letbetter, Kelcey of Fordyce; Parole Violation

Cooper, Demaria of Thornton; FPD Criminal Contempt

God Bless

Sheriff Mike Knoedl