A generous gesture

Sometimes national attention pays off. There was widespread media coverage after a Cairo, Ill., bank repossessed five of the Alexander County Sheriff's Department's patrol cars. That's not the kind of publicity most public officials want, but in this case it produced something positive.

The sheriff in St. Lucie County in Florida heard about the problems in Alexander County and figured he could help out. He sent five fully equipped patrol cars slated for auction to Illinois. Now the remaining Alexander County deputies have vehicles for patrols.

Sheriff Ken Mascara in Florida said sheriff's departments around the country were generous in their assistance after devastating hurricanes. He said this was his opportunity to help out another sheriff in need.

"Thank God for that man," Sheriff David Barkett said at his Cairo office.

Folks in these parts are accustomed to the generosity of friends and neighbors when disasters strike. Windstorms, floods and ice storms in recent years have resulted in amazing offers to provide places to stay and food to eat. Dozens of Hurricane Katrina victims from New Orleans found refuge in Southeast Missouri.

Now Illinois sheriff is benefiting from the generosity of a Florida sheriff. That's the way it should be.