Police beating does not reflect law enforcement profession
It is the responsibility of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office to protect and serve our community and those in need. We take great pride in wearing the Franklin County Sheriff’s badge. And, given that, it makes the news of Tyre Nichol’s death very troubling.
The video released by the Memphis Police Department of the beating death of Tyre Nichols is incredibly unsettling to watch. It does not reflect what it means to be a part of the law enforcement profession.
The Memphis Police Department has taken the first step by firing the involved officers.
On behalf of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, I want to extend my profound sympathy for the Nichols family.
I understand that viewing this video brings many uneasy emotions and even anger. I can understand those reactions. My hope is that we can channel those emotions into creating real change so this never happens again.
A.J. Smith
Sheriff, Franklin County
Meet the Editor
David Adlerstein, The Apalachicola Times’ digital editor, started with the news outlet in January 2002 as a reporter.
Prior to then, David Adlerstein began as a newspaperman with a small Boston weekly, after graduating magna cum laude from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He later edited the weekly Bellville Times, and as business reporter for the daily Marion Star, both not far from his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
In 1995, he moved to South Florida, and worked as a business reporter and editor of Medical Business newspaper. In Jan. 2002, he began with the Apalachicola Times, first as reporter and later as editor, and in Oct. 2020, also began editing the Port St. Joe Star.