We just finished up Red Ribbon Week activities from several schools around Pittsburg County. I know that these children are the key to our future, and if we can make a positive difference in their lives at this early age, it will pay dividends to all of our community in the years to come. If we can make a difference in only a few of these kids, it will be time well spent! We were not able to reach all the schools during the last week of October, but we did get to visit with twelve. We took the Red Ribbon show on the road and were able to reach out to approximately 1500 young people! Our message to the younger group was to educate them that we are their protector and their friends! We encouraged the kids to reach out to all law enforcement officers and become their friend and erase the stigma that some kids have today about the police. We stressed the importance of medication and who should administer the medicine to them. The kids were encouraged to do the “right thing” and speak up when they feel that things are not right. We finished up with the younger kids with some safety tips for their Halloween excursions! The older kids discussed topics such as bullying, social media dangers, vaping, marijuana, fentanyl, and other illegal substances. The kids and the school staff were able to see the real-life effects of drug and alcohol abuse by the use of our “drunk goggles”. The student’s participation with pedal carts and the goggles showed first hand how drugs and alcohol affect their ability to maintain their balance and judgment while operating a simple pedal cart. A special thanks to all the school staff who participated in this exercise to give the kids a good laugh! Red Ribbon activities take a lot of work and planning, and a special thanks to Julie Padgett and Krystal Schoggins for making it happen. We had deputies involved at all schools to interact with the kids and staff. Thanks to all the school administrators for allowing us to come in and share just a short time with the kids, and we look forward to seeing you again next year.
We finished the month of October by celebrating Sober October with participants of our local Drug Court. The drug court participants signed a pledge wall on October 1 to kickoff the event, and a ceremony was held on October 31 to honor all of those who pledged. I know most of the folks involved with this specialty court and have heard their stories as they fight this terrible addiction daily. The Drug Court program is not an easy program to complete due to its many requirements, but it is an alternative to incarceration for those who truly want to get clean. To hear their testimony about the early struggles in the program, which often involves sanctions that include being incarcerated at the county jail, to the days that they can see changes in their own lives, which encourages them to “stay the course” will absolutely touch your heart. I was able to speak to those in attendance and encourage them to trust the process and complete the process.
Drug Court celebrated the graduation of one of their participants on this day and her personalstory was amazing!
We now look forward to November and December, which brings us Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas celebrations, among other things. We will be involved with Veterans Day celebrations and also helping with the annual Elected Officials Thanksgiving Dinner. Be on the lookout for our annual Grinch hunt! We will kick that off right after Thanksgiving as we try to capture the Grinch in time for the annual Christmas parade! I want to give thanks to every employee who works for the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office. From the deputies, detention staff, dispatchers, administrative personnel, maintenance, nursing, and medical staff, we want the citizens to know that we are here to serve and protect in our capacity to all the citizens of this great community. We will continue to move forward with honor and integrity to make this agency one to be proud of.
I will conclude this recap with some somber news we received on Thursday, October 30.Richard Phillips, 28 years old, died as a result of a motorcycle accident that occurred near Quinton. Richard was a certified deputy sheriff for Pittsburg County from October2024 until June 2025. Richard finished his CLEET certification in August 2024 and came to work for us a short time later. Richard was an outstanding officer but also an amazing young man. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends during this time of grief. Richard was the proud father of two young children who his entire world revolved around. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers as they mourn their loss. Just a somber reminder to love and hug those around us a little tighter. God Bless!
– Sheriff Frankie McClendon
