The Rockford City Commission had something special Thursday for its bimonthly public meeting. In addition to the usual budgetary, project updates and public input sections, this meeting devoted time to recognize two Blount County deputies who were injured in the line of duty.
“We’re delighted with the turnout today,” said Mayor Carl Koella III to the more than 20 people gathered in Rockford Town Hall. “We hate the reason (for it). But we want to honor these officers.”
The officers in question were Blount County Sheriff’s Office deputies Corbin Smith and Edward Walker.
On June 11, the two deputies responded to Jacob Springs Boulevard, Rockford, on reports of a domestic dispute which quickly devolved into a firefight. Ronald Reed Millsaps, 59, reportedly fired between 150 and 300 rounds of ammunition during the incident. Both deputies sustained leg injuries from gunfire and were transported to the University of Tennessee Medical Center for treatment.
“We appreciate everything you all did coming out here to help,” Koella continued. “That’s not the way most people in Rockford behave, and we’re very sorry.”
Surrounded by family, friends and colleagues, deputies Smith and Walker accepted Koella’s thanks, but downplayed the mayor’s and assembled residents’ condolences.
“It’s not your fault,” said Walker. “We’d do it again, too.”
“We survived it,” Smith added.
A Community Confused
Jacob Springs Boulevard residents in attendance agreed, adding in their own stories of how the neighborhood usually is.
“We’re a very close community,” said Howard Crisp. “If you need help, all you have to do is let somebody know and you’ll get help.”
Maryanne Townsend, another local, added that she had known Millsaps to be a “nice” person. Neighbors agreed, speculating on what may have happened.
Charlie and Mamie Story, the couple in whose driveway the deputies parked their cruiser to take cover behind, spoke about a time Millsaps had come over to help Charlie when Mamie’s health had taken a turn for the worse.
“Charlie went over to get (Millsaps) because he couldn’t get me up, and he was as nice as he could be,” said Mamie Story.
“There’s still no excuse for that,” Koella said.
Rockford rewards deputies
Mayor Koella,Vice Mayor Kenneth Arwood and commissioner Matt Hester presented Smith and Walker with plaques resembling the city key and proclaiming them heroes of Rockford for their actions on June 11.
To cheering and applause, Koella explained that although these keys wouldn’t open any physical doors, the two deputies and any other first responders in the area should know that the Rockford Town Hall would always be open.
“Whatever you need. A quiet place to eat? A clean restroom? Someplace to cool off? Rockford will always be open to accommodating you all,” Koella said.
Crisp and other Jacob Springs Boulevard residents also offered to provide hospitality to any and all first responders on patrol in the area, to which Walker joked,
“Don’t think we’ll be trying to go back to that road.”
Smith laughed but added that they would take them up on the offer if the two were in the area again.
In addition to the plaques, Smith and Walker were offered real city keys to come and go at their leisure in the City and Town Hall buildings.
Rockford “backs the blue”
According to Koella, by year’s end the welcome signs leading into Rockford will be amended to include “We Back the Blue.”
This announcement was met with unanimous support from those in attendance.
Rockford resident Tom Clark explained that having watched his father work for years as a volunteer firefighter, he understands the mental and physical toll of the work, and he’s proud to live in a community that respects law enforcement and first responders.
“You don’t have to tell me what kind of people these guys are,” Clark said. “It takes special people to do what (they) do… They’re willing to put their lives on the line for us, and you have to have heart to do that.”
Koella also extended an invitation to Smith and Walker to ride as Grand Marshals in the annual Rockford Christmas Parade to be held on Saturday, Dec. 14.
Smith and Walker responded that they would see about working something out. They also confirmed that they are both healing well at this time.
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