Recently we lost a great law man, a good communicator, a good cop.

In the summer of 1970, I was one of three city police board members. Our responsibility was to form a city police department. Board Chairman Warren Baker recommended us to seek outside professional law enforcement help. We asked then Cahokia Police Chief Mearl Justus to assist us.

Justus gave our city many hours of voluntary help. He helped us formulate hiring practices, policy and he and the other two volunteers recommended "keep politics out of law enforcement." St. Clair County Sheriff Justus also served for more than 35 years on our patrol interviews, our promotion interviews. Yes, indeed, Justus was \a friend of Fairview Heights.\

Also, I served with Justus on the 911 planning committee, to inform St. Clair County residents about the 911 emergency phone system. I joined Justus on several Saturdays at St. Clair Square Mall, passing out 911 literature and talking 911 with the many people who stopped by. I would tell you that without Justus, we would not have obtained 911 at this time.

I saw firsthand Sheriff Justus' communicator skills. Sheriff Justus was a good cop who cared about all of the people.

George A. Lanxon

Fairview Heights