Hello Sheriff Hamp

Just finished reading your report in today's Tunica Times and I noticed a couple of dates have been left out.


These dates would be 5 Feb 2014 and 12 Feb 2014.  You could have written "no arrests" after these dates but you didn't.  Did you think we wouldn't notice these two dates were skipped?  We all know what happened on 12 Feb 2014.  What happened on 5 Feb 2014?  We have a right to know.


Let's talk about 12 Feb 2014.  Ring a bell?  This is the date you arrested our County Administrator, Michael Thompson.  This is what we understand the facts to be.  Feel free to write in the comment section of this blog to correct anything I may have misstated.


On 10 Feb 2014, I understand you interrupted a meeting in Mr. Thompson's office.  Mr. Thompson asked you to leave.


On 12 Feb 2014, I understand Mr. Thompson and Tunica County Comptroller, Alex Wiley, left the administration building together at approximately 6:30p.


Mr. Wiley was driving the car.


One of your deputies pulled Mr. Wiley over and stated that he was "swerving".  Note: No breathalyzer test was taken or suggested.


Your deputy suggested Mr. Wiley allow Mr. Thompson to drive.


About a half mile down the road, your deputy pulled Mr. Thompson over and stated that he (the deputy) had failed to run Mr. Thompson's license and there was a warrant for Mr. Thompson's arrest.
Note: It was later discovered there was no warrant for Mr. Thompson's arrest.


Mr. Thompson was cuffed and taken to jail.


At 7:39p your inmate roster on your website showed Mr. Thompson in an orange jumpsuit.


During the evening of 12 Feb 2014 or early morning of 13 Feb 2014, it was discovered that Mr. Thompson was having blood pressure problems.


Did your department call an ambulance?  No, you did not.


What you did was to cuff and shackle Mr. Thompson and put him in the back of a Sheriff's car and transport him to the hospital.


Are you kidding me?  What is your problem Sheriff Hamp?  You had no warrant and you treated a citizen like a criminal.  This man, Michael Thompson, is a father and a husband.  What would you have done if Mr. Thompson had had a stroke while he was in your custody?


Sheriff Hamp, at the last Board of Supervisors' meeting, you read your "Mission Statement".  Actions speak louder then words and your actions toward Mr. Thompson shows that you and your department do not follow your own "Mission Statement".


Last month, while driving on Hwy 61, my car stopped running.  I pulled over, put on my flashing lights and called my husband.  While my husband was enroute to help me, a MS State Highway Patrol Officer stopped and asked if he could help.  I rolled down my window and told the officer my husband was on his way.  Had this Highway Patrol Officer been one of your deputies, I would not have rolled down my window.


Now back to Mr. Thompson.  There are medical bills to be paid in relationship to Mr. Thompson's care while he was in your custody.  The Transparency Committee will be watching the claims to make sure these charges are charged to the Tunica County Sheriff's Department.


Wake-up Tunica.  We deserve better then this from our elected officials.