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January 2, 2010

Deputies can park old cruisers

By Donna Hales



In recent years, Muskogee County Sheriff deputies have driven cars that weren’t retired until some had been driven well over 200,000 miles.

But, because of tax money for the county, four white 2010 Dodge Chargers are in town for county deputies and are awaiting a gussying up to denote they belong to lawmen.

“It means no full-time deputy will be driving a car with more than 100,000 miles on it,” said Muskogee County Sheriff Charles Pearson.

It also means his office will be retiring one Crown Victoria with a broken exhaust manifold.

“It’s a beast,” Pearson said.

He praised taxpayers for helping pass the sales tax that allowed his office to better fund its programs.

“It’s been so tough — not able to do repairs at the jail and in other areas,” he said. “This tax has done so much for us.”

A county sales tax approved by voters about two years ago raised $1.8 million for the sheriff’s office.

“We’re real proud after all the years deputies had to buy their own cars,” Pearson said.

That occurred up until 1995, he said.

The new cars should be on the prowl within about two weeks. They have to be outfitted with radios, lights, green striping and a bald eagle with flag.

The new cars will be going to deputies Cody Royce, Fred Winters, Robbie Jackson Jr. and Darrin Berry, Pearson said.

A fifth one on order will go to Deputy Ryan Lowe, he said.

Reach Donna Hales at 684-2923 or dhales@musk ogeephoenix.com.

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