Dear Editor: The family of Wesley Atha would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all of the Newton County Sheriff's Department and EMTs, the Covington/Newton County SWAT team, the Butts County Sheriff's Department and EMTs, the Georgia State Patrol, the GBI and the staff of Atlanta Medical Center for the outstanding and professional job that was done during the recent unfortunate incident involving Wesley and Officer [Jim] Trent. This was a call that all family members of police officers everywhere never want to receive, and everyone who was involved did everything they could to help us through this terrifying event. We are blessed to live in Newton County and have the protection of these outstanding men and women who serve our county so well.

It also was amazing to witness the devotion each member of the various teams has to each other when an event like this occurs.

We would also like to thank the community for all the prayers, cards, food and concern shown our family during this time. Wesley is recovering from his injuries and looking forward to the day he can return to performing his duties as a Newton County Sheriff's deputy.

We ask for your continued prayers during this recovery
time and also ask that you remember the Powell family in the loss of their son.