Sheriff`s Corner

Hi everyone. This week's Sheriff's Corner is going to be a little bit different. I'd like to use this Corner to thank all of the family, friends and volunteers who came out Thursday and Friday of last week to assist in the search for William "Billy" Beamer.

Mr. Beamer was last seen on Wednesday August 20th, 2003 with his John Deere tractor. All appeared okay. What happened next was the mystery at the time. By Thursday morning no one had seen or heard from him. The effect was to start a search that we immediately thought would be destined to be wide spread.

Almost immediately, your Sheriff's Office started receiving calls from people willing to assist in the searching. As your know Thursday's weather was terrible with heavy rains moving through our area constantly. In spite of this family, friends and volunteers continued to search and assist in many areas.

On Friday August 22nd, 2003, Mr. Beamer was located in an area northwest of Williston by some of the friends and volunteers. Mr. Beamer was taken to an area hospital for evaluation and care.

So, it's with a great feeling of gratitude that this column is dedicated to those special Levy Countians who through their family love, friendship and caring for one of theirs, helped defeat a possible tragedy. Billy Beamer is now home and recovering. Thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for a job truly well done.