Never been more proud of this community and a group of police officers than during this ordeal

Dear Citizens of Cherokee County:

The 10 days from June 27 until the afternoon of July 6, 2009, will be a time that all of us will not soon forget. Tracy Burris brought pain, fear and death to a community that neither asked for nor deserved it.

But his madness also brought a community and a group of law enforcement officers together in a way I have not seen in my 35 years with the sheriff's office.

Officers on the task force worked relentlessly for days and were determined to stop this senseless killing. The fact that some were not from our county never played a part in the investigation. This group of officers worked around the clock with little sleep knowing they left their families to protect yours.

People in the community began calling and many individuals, church groups and businesses started bringing food and drinks to the Law Enforcement Center. Tips began pouring in and people were volunteering to help in any way. People were fearful, but also angry, that a person could kill with so little regard for human life.

There are so many people to thank for helping the law enforcement task force, I'm sure I would leave someone out. I would just say "thanks" from a grateful group of police officers to all those who assisted in bringing closure to this case.

When we were thrown into the national spotlight because of the malicious acts of a person not even from our county, our community sent a message. The message was that we are a caring community that is not going to stand idly by while someone terrorizes our county. I have never been more proud of this community and a group of police officers than during this ordeal.

I received hundreds of calls, letters and e-mails during this time from people wanting to volunteer, provide some type of assistance, or just send a word of encouragement. But all those letters and e-mails included the world "prayer."

This task force drew strength from those prayers. The family members of our victims will also draw strength from these same prayers. Let's continue to remember our victims and their families. Sheriff Bill Blanton Cherokee County, S.C.