There have been nervous days at the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office during the past two weeks because a couple of people arrested by deputies were symptomatic for the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Thankfully, all results have been negative, so no deputies have required testing to this point.
“We’ve had a couple of close calls where our deputies have had to deal with individuals suffering from some of the symptoms like a fever or congestion,” Helms revealed. “But thank God the close calls that we have had haven’t resulted in any positive tests for the coronavirus. Those people were tested, and thankfully we got the results back pretty quickly, and everyone is good to this point.
“Our deputies, though, come into contact with so many people during each day, so it’s just a matter of time before one of us comes into contact with someone who does have the virus whether they know it or not,” the chief deputy continued. “But those deputies are still out there doing their job every day because we’re doing our best to go about it like we always have. We do avoid the office as much as possible even though our office is likely cleaner today than it’s ever been.”
Precautions
The deputies are using sanitizer, wearing gloves and masks, and now their cruisers are decontaminated by members of the Moundsville Fire Department. The chief deputy implemented a new shift system that requires the deputies to patrol for 12 hours when on duty.
“Morale is good, and they are working in four groups right now, so if someone does get sick and takes out that whole shift, we have a backup already in place,” Helms explained. “It’s an effort to maintain a level of service for the people of Marshall County. I know they are tired because they are working a good bit, but it was a good thing that we did have a slow down for a couple of weeks.
“Now, we have made some arrests recently, and unfortunately the majority of those involved domestic violence,” he reported. “We’ve all been stuck in our homes for quite a while now, and while some people like me enjoy being home, some don’t, and that seems to cause problems.”
Another significant change prompted by the pandemic is the time Helms spends at his desk. Instead, he has joined his deputies on those country roads of Marshall County.
“And I really enjoy that, too,” he admitted. “I do have to spend a lot of time with the administrative parts of my job, but that can be done in different ways than just staying in the office most of the day. A lot of those conversations have taken place on the phone instead of in the office.
“It’s reminded me of all of the changes that have taken place throughout the county because of the gas and oil industries,” Helms said. “So much has been constructed in spaces that were farm fields not too long ago.”
Inevitable
Helms dreads the thought, but the chief deputy has accepted yet another reality involved with serving the citizens of Marshall County.
“We have been making efforts to limit contact with people, but we’re law enforcement, and that contact is going to happen. It’s inevitable,” Helms said. “Our deputies are responding to the welfare checks that are requested, and they are doing the mental hygiene transports, too, so we can get those folks the help that they need. Those situations, though, can present risks for our guys, but that’s the law, and that’s part of our job.
“We’re going to answer every call that comes into our dispatchers. Now, there are some situations that can be taken care of on the telephone; when that’s possible, that’s what we do,” he continued. “It has to be done, and they are doing a fine, fine job. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
He can’t wait to go to a steak fry and to take his wife to a nice restaurant for dinner. Helms also is eager to continue his campaign to become the next sheriff of Marshall County.
“It’s been a month, and it is getting old, but I believe we have a ways to go before we can get back to whatever the new normal is going to be,” Helms said. “But I can tell you that this is not the ideal way to police. We’re making space between us and other people when we are on duty, and that just doesn’t feel right.
“We always want to do the best we can for the people of the county, and the best way to do that, I believe, is face-to-face,” he explained. “I think we’re all anxious get back to that sooner rather than later.”
