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Highlands Today

Giving Thanks

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Sherita Baggett

Published: August 24, 2008

I give thanks to city, county and state law enforcement. When I came in contact with law enforcement three times in two weeks, I thought to myself, "What is going on?" As I pondered I remembered this letter I had been procrastinating about writing through the years.

My third stop by a state trooper on my way to work was a sign that now is the time to write this letter. The state trooper approached my car and said: "Ma'am, I want to apologize for stopping you, I put one number wrong in the computer, and it showed there was a warrant for that person, not you, I'm sorry." I said "OK."

He looked at me and said: "Ma'am are you alright?" I burst out crying and shaking my head no. I told him about my son being sick and my concerns. He shared with me about one of his family members, and gave me encouragement with his kind words. I thanked him, and I also thanked God for sending him in my distress.

When my Mom died, one day I was paying my water bill and the tears started rolling down my face. I went over to the sheriff's office and asked for my friend who worked there, and when she came out I burst out crying, and she comforted me right there in the lobby.

Once when I was stranded near Thunderbird Road, I walked to the Gate station and asked a deputy if he could give me a ride home. I live near the school board and he said yes. I thanked him and I thanked God, because it was cold and it would have been a long walk.

My sister died in October 2004. My dad died in December 2004, and as the holidays approached in December 2005, I started going through a lot of emotional behaviors. I was supposed to have my son for Christmas, but due to my irresponsibility that wasn't happening. I felt so all alone. Hurt and pain was shut up inside, and starting to become unbearable. I was driving around with thoughts of my family weighing very heavy on my mind. Life seemed to be meaningless.

I pulled into a driveway of a house for sale. I was now gasping from the hurt and pain. Two city policemen pulled up and asked me why I was parked there. I explained to them about my family and volunteered the fact that I started drinking a beer and showed them the can. They put the cuffs on me and that hurt, and the pain started coming out.

I fell to my knees. They picked me up and put me in the patrol car. My body flung from door to door. The officer said, "Ma'am stop doing that." I couldn't stop. The officer said, "If you don't stop I'm going to pepper spray you." But he never did.

When we arrived at booking, my body was still responding to the hurt and pain. I could hear someone say, "Is she having a seizure?" Another one said, "Ma'am you need to keep still." Another one said, "What's wrong with her?" I couldn't speak. Not knowing what was wrong with me and not wanting me to hurt myself or them, they put me in this chair and strapped my whole body down and put me in a room where they could watch me. When I was released and went to court – No Bill.

I thanked God for sending those officers by and taking me to a protective environment; what better place than the Highlands County Sheriff Office. I'm also thankful I had the opportunity to work with Sheriff Susan Benton on a Habitat for Humanity home on Colmar in 2005.

Sherita Baggett
Sebring

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