Letter to the editor: What heroic Sumter police officer taught has been passed on

We have lost another hero in law enforcement with the passing of Mr. J.T. Brayboy. I went to his funeral yesterday, March 27. J.T. had over 40 years in law enforcement and mentored along with saving countless youth from drugs, gangs and guns.

In 1980, I was a young, skinny, white officer with no experience at the Sumter Police Department, and J. T. took me under his wing. He took me to many areas that white officers did not want to go and taught me about community relations 14 years before community-oriented policing became a concept. J.T. taught me not to talk to people but to talk with people. There is a big difference. I think that is some of the problems we have today with our racial divide and mistrust with white officers. I'm still in law enforcement almost 45 years later with another agency in charge of community-oriented policing, and I owe a lot of that to J.T.

Most police officers across this country, regardless of race, are good officers. When we see someone being mistreated, regardless of your rank, you have a duty to step in and say something. We need to treat everyone with dignity and respect, even if you have to arrest that person.

My son is also in law enforcement for the past 15 years and works with me. The things that J.T. taught me have been passed on to him so we can continue to make positive strides to unite everyone with a common goal without all the divide.

I would especially like to thank Chief Roark, Sheriff Dennis and their staff along with members of the Atlanta Police Department and Atlanta DEA that attended. Dr. Ralph W. Canty Sr. with Job's Mortuary Inc. conducted an amazing service.

CARL SMITH

Sumter