Folks, even here in tranquil Seymour we aren’t immune from tragedy.
Even among family, friends, neighbors, there is no measurement of feeling.  Children never grow beyond being your child or the child of the neighborhood.
In my neighborhood we had such a tragedy. A young man, just into manhood, took his own life.  Let us all grieve for him and his family.  I need not share his name, GOD knows, that’s what important.  All of us should offer up our hands in prayer and for his family I offer no names, addresses or other identifying data.  I’m not a reporter, just a thinker, one who muses.
 To the father, when I came to your yard it wasn’t out of nosiness, I came out of concern for you and yours and out of concern for me, my wife and property.  Recently we have had strangers in the neighborhood at night. Our border collie has two night-time barks, one for animals and one for people. Lady had been using her people bark. When I heard the gun blast I picked up my legal handgun to investigate the matter.  I didn’t know if someone had attempted a home invasion at your house and had been thwarted and were on their way to mine.
In any event, I am sorry about your loss.  Words, flowers or anything of this earth will never convey my feelings of sympathy. May the Lord be with you and comfort you.  Your son will rest well in His comforting presence.    
 To James Berrong, elected sheriff of Blount County, please be advised that very few citizens want to in any manner be a hindrance to you or your deputies. Most of the time at a scene such as this, we’re there out of our innate curiosity. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes, good, relevant information can be provided by the curious onlookers.
 In this instance I could have been of minor help.  I heard your unemergency-lighted patrol car approaching and I shined my bright flashlight at the car in the customary arc to get their attention that they were at their destination. Ignoring me he/they passed right on past the well-lit house, on up the road and stopping at two stop signs, me standing in the road still lighting up the back of the patrol vehicle.
The vehicle made a U-turn onto another road carrying it even further away from the scene. I then called 911 to inform your dispatcher that your unit had missed its target.  I was not well- or kindly received and was told in so many words, not quotes, that you had the situation in hand and that my complaints could be called in the next day.  I wasn’t complaining, but possibly trying to help. Most of the time I hold the local law enforcement agencies in our Tri County Area in high esteem. Remember you are there
TO PROTECT AND SERVE.

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