MYSTERY CAR GIVE-A-WAY REGISTER EVERY DAY UNTIL JUNE 29TH LIMIT ONCE PER DAY
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CAR WILL BE GIVEN AWAY 3PM ON JUNE 30TH MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN
CHEVROLET
3299 HWY 51 SOUTH • COVINGTON, TN 38019
901.313.8629 • tryuschevy.com *Must be 18 or older to register; must have valid driver’s license. We will draw names til we have a winner
THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012 ▪ VO L . 1 2 8 , N O. 3 3 ▪ T H E VO I C E O F TIPTON COUNTY S I N C E 1 8 8 6 ▪
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Deputy shoots, kills Munford man Sheriff said man wielded knife, refused commands to disarm
MUNFORD – A suicidal man was shot and killed by a deputy Tuesday after ignoring the officer’s commands to drop his weapon, the Tipton County Sheriff said Tuesday. At approximately 4:21 p.m. deputies were dispatched to the 3300 block of Marshall Road in Munford after receiving reports of an armed suicidal party at the residence. The male subject, later identified as Richard Jeffrey Rykiel, 51, reportedly came out of the
By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
house wielding a knife and acting in an aggressive manner toward the deputy. The deputy, who has not been identified by authorities, told Rykiel to put his knife down, however he refused several times, said Sheriff Pancho Chumley. “He was acting in an aggressive way towards the deputy and wouldn’t put the knife down,” he said. “The deputy drew his weapon, fired it and struck the subject.” At one point the deputy,
sounding distressed, radioed for another car, a commotion taking place in the background. Medical personnel was immediately summoned to the scene and attempted to resuscitate Rykiel. He was pronounced dead by the Tipton County Medical Examiner a short time later. No officers were injured during the incident. “Law enforcement is a dangerous job and the unknown looms around the corner on every call
we make,” Chumley said. “It is always a tragedy when a human being loses their life. I am just grateful that my deputy was not injured in this incident.” As is protocol, the Tennessee Department of Investigation was called to investigate the officer-involved shooting. “TBI will investigate the incident and gather all pertinent facts and evidence and turn the case file over to the District Attorney General upon compleSEE DEPUTY, PAGE A3
Randolph woman, 79, killed in accident By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com A Randolph woman was killed and her husband injured in a car accident Monday, officials with the Tennessee Highway Patrol have reported. Helen Rebecca “Becky” Pace, 79, and her husband, William, 84, were leaving the parking lot at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton Monday afternoon when their vehicle was struck by another car. According to the accident report, a 2005 Chrysler Sebring driven by 18-year-old Shellby Demeza of Munford was traveling southbound in the right lane of Hwy. 51. Mrs. Pace, driving a 1997 Buick, left the hospital parking lot and attempted to cross the southbound portion of the roadway to the median SEE WRECK, PAGE A3
Juveniles charged in pavilion fire By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com ATOKA – Police say two 12-year-old girls are responsible for a fire that damaged a pavilion at Walker Park last week. Early Thursday, June 7, crews responded to the park after a neighboring resident reported smelling smoke. Reports indicate a fire was started in the bathroom at the park’s pavilion, damaging the two-year-old wooden structure. Additionally, both girls and a third girl are also being held responsible for vandalism done to portable toilets set up at the park following Thursday's fire. Atoka Police Chief Jessie Poole said he suspected juveniles, but not 12-year-olds. "I was very surprised as their age, at how young they were," he said. Police knew the fire was set purposefully and worked for several days to solve the case. And while certain details cannot
Breast cancer survivor Sonya Morrison signs the Pink Heals fire engine Monday, her first day back to work after battling the disease. The truck's visit was a surprise for Morrison. Photos by Echo Day
Welcoming a survivor back By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com ATOKA – Sonya Morrison had only heard about the truck once, and never dreamed she'd see it in person. Thanks to her co-workers at First State Bank, though, the Pink Heals fire truck made its first-ever visit to Tipton County Monday morning to help welcome her back to work after a lengthy battle with breast cancer. "This was a total surprise," Sonya said. "I had no idea!" After a breakfast reception and a gift, Sonya was getting back into the groove of working when her cousin and co-worker, Deborah Lane, told her to come downstairs. "She said, 'Come downstairs! There's somebody I want you to meet!' My kids were running and I felt like I was going to meet Santa Claus. Then I got down here and there are all of these sirens. I wanted to cry." Sonya was diagnosed with breast cancer in October and began treatment in December. Chemotherapy was difficult for her after sepsis delayed her last treatment. But the mother of two is doing much better, she said, and her doctors are optimistic about her future, so she trying to get back to life as it once was. Her co-workers wanted to help celebrate her return. A big pink fire truck carrying men in pink turn-out gear and escorted by Above, Morrison receives a hug from Bill Scott, firefighters and police from Munford and Atoka drew a few heads along the vice president of the Memphis/MidSouth Hwy. 51. The Memphis/MidSouth Chapter of the Guardians of the RibChapter of the Guardians of the Ribbon. bon came to Tipton County just to visit Sonya. They arrived with a giant hug and a bouquet of pink flowers. SEE PINK, PAGE A3
SEE FIRE, PAGE A3
GOVERNMENT
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Mason mayor, aldermen agree to 911 increase
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HISTORY OF SCHOOLS
School's out for summer, but Sherri Onorati brings the history of Tipton County's forgotten schools back to life in this eight-part series. See part one, page B1. HOW TO REACH US Call 901.476.7116 Fax 901.476.0373 Email news@covingtonleader.com
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By SHERRI ONORATI sonorati@covingtonleader.com MASON – After voting on June 4 not to accept the Tipton County Emergency Communications District’s request for an increase in Mason’s annual E911 user fees, the aldermen of Mason have had a change of heart. On Monday, TCECD director Renee Downing and 911 Board chairman Jim Harger attended the town’s monthly board of mayor and
aldermen on Monday to explain the purpose and necessity of the 911 fee increase. After the discussion, the aldermen voted 4-1 in favor of paying the asked increase. Mason will pay an additional $2,000, or $6,280, for fiscal year 2012-2013 and the other $2,000 during FY 2013-2014, bringing their annual contribution to $8,280. “My position was we needed to pay our share,” said Mason Mayor David Ward. “We had a good meet-
ing and I think having both people showing a presence made a difference in helping the board members to understand the reason for the request.” Alderman Mike Harris was the lone nay vote. “I asked what was the calls per hour and they really couldn’t tell me that,” said Harris. “And they also explained that its not just 911 but it’s a dispatch for the whole county but regardless of how they do it, we’re being tripled taxed to fund it. SEE 911, PAGE A3
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