Prince Edward County

Dear Editor,

Hello, My friend and Editor. I know it’s been quite a while since you’ve heard from me.

On Tuesday, August 7 at PEC BOS monthly meeting, I called both of our County’s Head Law Enforcement Officials out. That being both Tony Epps, Sheriff as well as Megan Clarke, Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Both had been informed of the Suspicious Death of George (Handy) Simmons High Rock Rd., Rice, Virginia on March 3 of this year at which time Mr. Simmons’ sister and eldest son were trying to get an autopsy done, but were told it would cost them $3,500 as PEC “investigators” did not see foul play. First they said it was a propane tank explosion, then he burned himself on a heater.

Actually the PECS Office had dropped the ball, as they did not seal off the area nor take photos of the scene and failed to inform medical personnel that this might be a criminal investigation.

I brought up the sorry and sad way they had conducted the missing person’s case of Samuel Dabney and the haphazard search they had performed.

And I spoke on the drug dealing and trafficking that’s been going on for all of the 18 years I’ve been here.

The following day Wednesday, August 8, 2023 lo and behold, they performed a crack bust at the house we’ve been trying to get done for 18 years including the four years of Sheriff Epps. Also somehow the same wells they claimed to have searched for Mr. Dabney suddenly reveals human remains and they have requested and gotten DNA samples from his sisters.

Personally I’ve never before seen such incompetent handling of investigations in my life.

I have the utmost respect, honor and love for LEOs and always pray for their safety. I appreciate their sacrifices as I do All Emergency Service Personnel. But I will not be silent to sloppy, inefficient and ineffective handling of crimes.

Not quite sure if these victims didn’t rise to their view of importance, but they were my neighbors and friends and citizens of this county, and they mattered to their family, friends and to me.

Kenneth Wayne Jackson

Rice, Va.