Pearl River County law enforcement officers have responded to a number of critical emergency situations in the past week. In half an hour Tuesday, the Picayune Police Department was able to surround and apprehend an armed robbery suspect who was attempting to flee into a wooded area.

Because of the officers’ quick response time, knowledge of the area and the quality description given by a witness, the suspect was apprehended.

Late last week, emergency personnel responded so quickly to the scene of a motorcycle accident that by all available accounts, they saved a man’s life.

Due to the unprotected nature of the vehicle, the driver was critically injured and medical response helicopters transported him to Hattiesburg.

Due to the helicopter’s reported 17-minute arrival time from Mobile, these pilots too were a key factor in saving that man’s life.

Earlier this week, Pearl River County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a welfare check, which has now resulted in a homicide investigation and subsequent arrest.

In all of these cases, quick investigative work and even quicker response times have led to the arrest of two alleged criminals.

Some may think Pearl River County doesn’t have the resources of other counties, and we may not. But we do have the heart and the determination to protect our community.

These are the officers we need to keep in our area, patrolling our streets in our neighborhoods so that we can continue to raise families in a safe community.

Any of these incidents could have gone seriously wrong, potentially even resulting in the injury of an officer, deputy or other civilians.

That is why it is so important that we continue to thank and support all law enforcement personnel for their efforts.