Letters (Feb. 12, 2014)

Editor?s note: The Marion City Council recently received this letter. It is printed here by permission of the writer.

Chief commended for assistance

I would like to take this opportunity to speak to you about the encounter I had with your chief of police, Tyler Mermis, Jan. 28.

I am hoping at the end of this letter of appreciation, you will feel as special about your choice in police chief as all of us do after today?s events.

I am new to Kansas and in that time, I and two other business partners have created our own firm here in Wichita. In the course of my time here, I have become close to several people, not only professionally but personally.

On Monday, Jan. 27, I was contacted by one of those close friends, Sedgwick County Sheriff Deputy Mauricio Ardanche. He relayed to me every parent?s worst nightmare?his daughter was missing.

To compound this worst case scenario, she was last seen traveling with another at-risk youth. The male subject had lived within your community for an extended period of time and during the course of our investigation, led us to the town of Marion Jan. 28.

We were met by Chief Mermis and what occurred from that point forward has still left me in a quandary, especially with my false stereotypes of the quality of law enforcement in rural areas.

Chief Mermis displayed the utmost professionalism, assistance beyond comparison and most importantly, compassion.

His approach, a mixture of law enforcement and a father himself, helped keep the investigation focused on recovering the young children in a scenario where emotions were ?running high.?

Partnered with several other agencies, this investigation needed that foundation that he so readily and effortlessly provided.

Leaving Marion today, I took with me a deep respect of Chief Mermis as a professional and as a man. His actions and professionalism reflect positively upon not only he and his department, but on the city of Marion and town leadership.

I and my firm are indebted, and if there is anything we can do for you and your community, please do not hesitate to ask.

Dwayne Hunter,

executive director,

The Hunter Group Inc.

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