Comments on: Former Flomaton Police Chiefs Pleads In Century Unauthorized Arrest Case

By: JCD

JCD — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 18:49:13 +0000

Apparently Steve Billy and Grover Smith know something about Geoffs character. He made a mistake which he owned up to and paid the price that the judge felt was fair. Why take away his livelihood, his career over a mistake? I think people base their opinions on their feelings of him as a person and not the mistake that was made. If it had been you in his shoes what would you have done? i venture to say that you would have done the same thing. Geoff is a good guy and I for one am relieved for him and his family that this is over and he can continue to provide for his family. I just hope he (and others) can allow this to be in his past and not determine his future. Praying for you Geoff.

By: whatever

whatever — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 03:14:58 +0000

It seems like everybody is making excuses for him breaking the law. Of course he knew where the line finished and started come on now he was the main man in the police department. I cldnt get away with it so y shld he…it wasnt a mistake that he went to Florida. police take their job on praying on the less forturnate so I believe when they do get caught then they shld pay just like everybody else!!!!!

By: Mattw

Mattw — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 11:21:20 +0000

Kevin Enfinger,

The term “criminal” literally means “Someone who commits a crime” … therefore yes, if you speed you are in fact a criminal. However, the American Justice System has placed special degrees if lawlessness that coincide to particular “crimes” that may occur. Crimes such as: murder, rape…etc, are Malum is se, or inherently wrong or evil in itself… while speeding, as you have mentioned, is considered Malum prohibitum, or wrong because society says it is. So yes, while speeding does makes you a criminal, you are only considered a criminal because society has made it a crime to do what you have assumably done… that is why you feel the term “criminal” doesn’t apply to you in this particular circumstance when in fact it does.

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 04:48:19 +0000

REGARDING:
“I’m also wondering what were the charges against this “criminal” that Mr. McGraw needed to arrest that made it so necessary to jeopardize a career in law enforcement to protect the public.”

For background information as reported here, click on:

From March 9:
http://www.northescambia.com/2012/03/suspended-flomaton-police-chief-arrested-on-florida-kidnapping-charge

From Feb 28:
http://www.northescambia.com/2012/02/century-couple-details-allegations-against-flomaton-police-chief

David trying to be helpful

By: person in florida

person in florida — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 21:48:09 +0000

1st Mr.Mcgraw knew where the state was bc flomaton pd has an map in the courtroom on the wall,2nd Mr.Barrow was wanted for an fta out of brewton on mis.warrent,3rd Florida law was never noticefed about Mr.Mcgraw coming into Florida ,4th the charges were dropped when Mr.Barrow went to court on this…So i hope may clear up some ideas you may have

By: LadyLiberty

LadyLiberty — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 17:49:21 +0000

Just a question; do the current officers in Flomaton take the new officers down all the roads and show them where the state line & Town jurisdiction ends? I’m just wondering because most officers who are working and have worked for The Town of Flomaton don’t come from Flomaton. Maybe Mr. McGraw was never shown where the state line was, maybe the Town doesn’t put in teaching that would let each officer know where they are legally allowed to be. Also, does the Town of Flomaton ever work with Escambia County Florida to get criminals picked up? I’m just wondering because why else would Mr. McGraw have gone only 1000 feet into Florida to make an arrest? If this “criminial” that has been alluding arrest for many years has been living so close to the state line for apparently quite a while, either Mr. McGraw was never taught where the state lines were, (wouldn’t the Town of Flomaton be at fault?), he did know but Florida wouldn’t help, he never asked Florida to help, or Mr. McGraw did know the state line, didn’t ask Florida, and crossed the line anyway thinking he wouldn’t get in trouble. I’m also wondering what were the charges against this “criminal” that Mr. McGraw needed to arrest that made it so necessary to jeopardize a career in law enforcement to protect the public. Does anyone know if The Town of Flomaton trains these officers properly on issues like jurisdiction and the state line? What was the “criminal” that he arrested charged with?

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 16:15:05 +0000

Kevin,
I might be a mass murderer but that wouldn’t make it right.
Those who think it’s reasonable to break the law to stop law breakers seem to miss the point. You don’t stop crime by committing more crimes. What is more, the idea that the lawman should be allowed to kill those who commit misdemeanors is flawed thinking. Take your own example. From what you write you probably speed. Does it really seem reasonable to you for someone to commit a felony to punish you?

David for reasonable action
and obeying laws whenever possible

By: kevin enfinger

kevin enfinger — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 15:05:13 +0000

DAVID HUIE

so as if youve never broke the law? everyone makes mistakes. So if you drive down the road and you exceed the speed limit which a declare im sure you do at times, does that make you a criminal? People make mistakes. ive made my share but im doing great now do i want to be labeled as a crimina. i dont think so. Some should be labeled as criminals yes. I work i earn my money and i do whats right, im not a criminal.

By: concerned 2

concerned 2 — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 03:47:07 +0000

i think about it this way. anybody could have made this mistake nobody is perfect. magraw was from brewton and the line was so close… he really might not of known that it wasnt alabama it was old flomaton road… these people that sued just thought they were goin to get some big bucks! some things are better left alone… he was just doin his job trying to keep the criminals off the street. somebodys got to do it!

By: 429SCJ

429SCJ — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 22:52:49 +0000

Darius, the Cop and the crimminal are two different sides of the same coin.

I think the best thing for the people to do is move on and to keep out of the way.
Live and let live and above all don’t make stupid mistakes.