Chapter 17 - The New Sheriff
A year after the raid, Cedar Ridge held a special municipal election.
The county didn't elect another political insider. They didn't elect anyone with ties to the old families who had controlled the banks and the zoning boards for sixty years.
They elected Sarah Jenkins—a former state trooper and military veteran who had run on a platform of total transparency, body-worn cameras for every officer, and an independent civilian oversight committee.
On the day she was sworn in on the courthouse steps, Sarah invited Sophie and me to stand in the front row of honored guests.
After taking the oath, Sheriff Jenkins walked down the stone steps, took off her campaign hat, and extended a hand to me.
"Mrs. Mitchell," Sheriff Jenkins said in front of the assembled crowd of hundreds of townspeople. "On behalf of the honest men and women of this county’s law enforcement, I want to say something that should have been said to you the morning of your arrest."
The crowd fell silent.
"We are sorry," Jenkins said, her voice carrying through the public square. "And we thank you. Because without your courage, this county would still be living in the dark."
The applause that followed was deafening. It began with Greg from the hardware store, spread through the teachers and shop owners, and erupted into a standing ovation from the entire town.
I took Sheriff Jenkins's hand and shook it firmly.
May you like
"The past is behind us, Sheriff," I said with a warm smile. "Let’s just make sure the future stays clean."
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