Durant Daily Democrat, Various Dates
in Late May and June, 1978
Letters to the Editor:
Following are portions of many letters received and published by
the Durant Daily Democrat, starting the day of the shooting and running through most of
the month of June. Some have been edited for brevity.
To the Editor:
I laid awake every night, as I'm sure many people did, wondering if they were headed my
way. Now it's all over. Since I can't thank you in person I would like to say to all the
officers, for so bravely putting your lives on the line to protect the citizens in the
surrounding community and never giving up, my hat's off to you. I know in my heart that
every one else feels the same. To the families who lost someone, I would like to express
my deepest sympathy. I write this in appreciation to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and all
others involved in the apprehension of
those two convicts. Thank you for putting an end to our restless nights.
Kim
Tidwell, Bokchito
To the Editor:
Recently It's been popular to criticize law enforcement. In the days to come, hindsighted
armchair ideologists will be busily hashing and rehashing the manhunt and its sad outcome.
The police, sheriff and deputies will be under fire for what they did or didn't do. There
will even be a few high-minded individuals who will condemn the "law," who will
think that Dennis and Lancaster could have, should have, been taken alive. But Lake Texoma
residents will be raising their voices, publicly, in praise of the men who risked their
lives for us. During the long hot hours they manned the road blocks, they were unfailingly
polite, reassuring, apologetic for the inconvenience. In a very frightening situation, the
performed their duty in the deepest sense of protective tradition. No one was
inconvenienced. Rather, we were grateful for their presence. And we feel a deep personal
sense of loss whether or not we knew the slain officers. Every resident will view law
enforcement in a new keener sense of appreciation. To the men who survived, to the
families of those who laid their lives down for us, I want to say-THANK YOU. Thank You for
being there, Thank You for caring, Thank You for the willingness with which you performed,
Thank You for your love.
Rocky Davis, Rt. 1, Mead
To the Editor:
This is my first letter to you so forgive me if there are too many errors to print. I hope
to sleep well after I write it. Since the multiple deaths of the officers and the prison
escapees, and reading, watching and listening to the news, as well as the comments of
people on the streets, I'm thankful I do not have the monumental task of rearing and
helping the three young, innocent children of Claude Dennis, deal with the facts of this
tragedy and sort out the sometime cruelty of unkind people. Words can hurt and leave deep
scars on the minds of children of this age. My teenage son and I would like to begin an
educational fund for Dale, Tammy and Shana Dennis. I believe it is better to help a child
by loving, teaching, training and listening to him, than to give our tax money to pay or
his or her keep in prison for 25 or 30 years. This mother can do all she can do, but at
their age she must have the help of their classmates, neighbors, teachers, the community,
church and the love of God to grow into a normal healthy adult and to become a good
citizen. Love and kindness is what this world needs more of. If we were more generous with
this there would be little need for law officers giving their lives for our protection.
When I do not give love and assistance where their is need, then I am guilty for not
becoming involved.
Reda
Taylor, Mead
To the Editor:
I don't have words to express the sorrow I have for the three officers who gave their
lives for their state and for all U. S. citizens. My little donation of $100 is all I can
afford, but I sincerely hope everyone who is living today also will share their
appreciation for the families of those men who gave their lives that we can live in peace
and without fear. I am not forgetting the other brave and strong men who helped tirelessly
in the search. For the fourth trooper who was wounded, we pray for his speedy
recovery--and we thank God for all of them.
Millie
Pulis, Durant
To the Editor:
On behalf of the people of the Silo community I write this note of thanks and appreciation
to the law enforcement officers who patrolled our area, as well as many other places,
during this past week. Words cannot express our gratitude for your continued watch by day
and by night. We had a roadblock set up right inside our little community band because of
this we felt much safer, knowing you were there for our protection. From this particular
incident we have been made to appreciate our law enforcement personnel more fully,
realizing we, too, could have been a victim as each of the of those whose lives were
taken. We will always be grateful for your care. Thanks so much.
Lillie
Atkinson, Silo
To the Editor:
In regard to the terrible tragedy that occurred last Friday in Caddo, I feel there is
something we need to stop and think about. The fine Oklahoma troopers gave their lives to
make us safe and secure. Their families are prayed for, memorial funds are being given of
which they are very deserving. Their children can go through life with their heads held
high because their dads died a heroic death. But what about Claude Dennis' children? I
listened to the prayers and not once did anyone mention them. I am just as guilty as
anyone. I was so filled with fear I wished their father and the other convict dead. I
never once thought of Dennis as a father but as a murderer, with no respect for human
life. His children will have a more difficult time holding their heads up because their
dad was not a hero, but a murderer. Not even stop there. He lost his life in the town
where they live, go to school and, thank, God, go to church. So let us remember those
precious children. They are individuals in our prayers and our giving, so through their
terrible stigma in life they may grow up to be fine God-fearing citizens, which they can
be by God's help and our caring.
Iris
J. Norris, Durant
To the Editor:
It is a pleasure for me to express my thanks to you for the assistance rendered to us by
Lieutenant John Haynie of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Doug Clark, Undersheriff of
Bryan County. Their knowledge of Lancaster and Dennis were a great asset to me and my
department. I would like to commend Undersheriff Clark and Lieutenant Haynie for their
unceasing efforts in the search. As spokesman for my department and the citizens of
Choctaw County, I would like to express our gratitude for their help that was rendered to
us during the manhunt. I can assure that the people of Choctaw County and everybody in the
State of Alabama extend their sympathy to the families of the three men who lost their
lives in the final confrontation of Lancaster and Dennis.
Donald
Lolley, Sheriff, Choctaw County, Alabama
(Editor's Note: Sheriff Lolley learned Clark's expenses were turned down by the DA's
office and county commissioners as illegal under Oklahoma law, so he's raising money in
his home town of Butler to cover Clark's plane ticket and other costs. Clark got home by
driving the pickup truck Dennis and Lancaster stole near Ada).
To the Editor:
It has concerned me for the past few days about the funds, benefits, etc., for the
three troopers. I think it was a fine thing they did and we all are grateful. They were
killed in the line of duty, with knowledge and training for the life they chose. My
concern includes the families of the other victims who also should have our prayers and
concern--the ones now without husbands, mothers and fathers, plus the physical and
financial burdens brought to them. May God bless each one who has given money and prayers
for the troopers' families, but let us not forget the others involved.
Barbara
Corbett, Durant
To the Editor:
I don't want to offend anyone but I felt I had to write this letter and hope it is
published. First, the children and I want to thank each and everyone. We have been shown
love, kindness and consideration. We are so thankful! It is so good to know that people DO
CARE! They have called, written letters to newspapers, written personal letters which the
children and I will treasure and keep always. There have been funds started for the
children for their future schooling, contributions given, and people have just talked up
and said, "HOLD YOUR HEADS UP HIGH, KEEP ON TRYING, YOU CAN MAKE IT." For this
we are thankful. This has been a terrible experience for the children and myself. I don't
envy anyone who as had to live through any situation where their lives were torn apart.
Thanks to some mighty fine people. We are trying to get our lives together again. This had
been made possible only through their kindness and generosity, for this we will be forever
thankful. This Dale, Tammy, Shana and I will hold in our hearts and memories always.
Thanks to everyone once again. Yours Truly,
Katherine Dennis and Children, Caddo, Oklahoma |